My house is quiet. Blais started school and my two older boys are away at college. One morning, I was going down the stairway of my house and noticed the silence.
It brought up a memory of a routine I had before the summer began – a routine set around a predictable weekly schedule, helped by the absence of concert tours and out-of-town, in-person events.
I’ve never before had a routine that lasted over a year (courtesy of the pandemic).
I observed the feeling of comfort and a sense of peace that came over me. Then this feeling of comfort triggered another thought about how much I can get done in that space of silence and dedicated time without distractions.
And that particular thought created a feeling of excitement and stirred up my creative energy.
I took a breath, paused those thoughts, and focused on the fact that first, I needed to take care of tasks that piled up while I was tending to summer activities and my sons’ needs. LOL.
“We are slowly settling into a routine,” wrote my son’s teacher in an email, “so now, we can begin to work.”
My house is quiet. Blais started school and my two older boys are away at college. One morning, I was going down the stairway of my house and noticed the silence.
It brought up a memory of a routine I had before the summer began – a routine set around a predictable weekly schedule, helped by the absence of concert tours and out-of-town, in-person events.
I’ve never before had a routine that lasted over a year (courtesy of the pandemic).
I observed the feeling of comfort and a sense of peace that came over me. Then this feeling of comfort triggered another thought about how much I can get done in that space of silence and dedicated time without distractions.
And that particular thought created a feeling of excitement and stirred up my creative energy.
I took a breath, paused those thoughts, and focused on the fact that first, I needed to take care of tasks that piled up while I was tending to summer activities and my sons’ needs. LOL.
“We are slowly settling into a routine,” wrote my son’s teacher in an email, “so now, we can begin to work.”
Routines are such an interesting thing. We do better with routines (because they bring order and a sense of predictability), and yet, no matter how strict we are at keeping them (or trying to keep them), they always change.
We change.
Each morning we wake up a day older.
The seasons change and the world around us changes.
Our friends’ and family members’ lives change. And when they have an unexpected need, we adjust our routines to be with them and help.
I see routines as times that provide us with safety, comfort, and space to become strong. They allow us to spend some time in introspection, prayer, to become aware of the many ways we are supported, to learn and develop tools we need to handle difficult emotional, mental, and physical situations.
These are times in which we take care of ourselves – our bodies, minds, and spirits, so that we can handle life’s unpredictable storms.
However, routines can also be ‘traps’ in which we get too comfortable. We can put our minds, hearts, and spirits on ‘autopilot’, and miss out on all the good self-care and personal (emotional, mental, and spiritual) development.
That’s where having a regular practice that helps you observe your thoughts, emotions, and actions can help. It could be journaling, a mindfulness activity (mindful breathing, single-tasking, mindful eating, etc), meditation, or contemplative prayer.
What are some of the ways that help your routine be a positive structure within which you can grow and expand?
Taking spontaneous trips or going on adventures ‘on a whim’ can be enjoyable practices in letting go of the routine and learning to preserve a sense of calm.
Routines are such an interesting thing. We do better with routines (because they bring order and a sense of predictability), and yet, no matter how strict we are at keeping them (or trying to keep them), they always change.
We change.
Each morning we wake up a day older.
The seasons change and the world around us changes.
Our friends’ and family members’ lives change. And when they have an unexpected need, we adjust our routines to be with them and help.
I see routines as times that provide us with safety, comfort, and space to become strong. They allow us to spend some time in introspection, prayer, to become aware of the many ways we are supported, to learn and develop tools we need to handle difficult emotional, mental, and physical situations.
These are times in which we take care of ourselves – our bodies, minds, and spirits, so that we can handle life’s unpredictable storms.
However, routines can also be ‘traps’ in which we get too comfortable. We can put our minds, hearts, and spirits on ‘autopilot’, and miss out on all the good self-care and personal (emotional, mental, and spiritual) development.
That’s where having a regular practice that helps you observe your thoughts, emotions, and actions can help. It could be journaling, a mindfulness activity (mindful breathing, single-tasking, mindful eating, etc), meditation, or contemplative prayer.
What are some of the ways that help your routine be a positive structure within which you can grow and expand?
Taking spontaneous trips or going on adventures ‘on a whim’ can be enjoyable practices in letting go of the routine and learning to preserve a sense of calm.
Music
For 15 years, my ‘routine’ was touring as a family. Travelling wasn’t the hard part. It was switching between tours and a ‘home’ routine.
My kids’ described our touring lives so well in this song from 2013 (I can’t watch it without tissues, LOL)…
I know this song is especially meaningful for those of you who were involved in organizing our concerts between 2000-2014. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.
We did some cool things together – moved hearts, provided opportunities for healing, and I know for sure, we shook up a few people from their ‘autopilot’ routines.
For 15 years, my ‘routine’ was touring as a family. Travelling wasn’t the hard part. It was switching between tours and a ‘home’ routine.
My kids’ described our touring lives so well in this song from 2013 (I can’t watch it without tissues, LOL)…
I know this song is especially meaningful for those of you who were involved in organizing our concerts between 2000-2014. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.
We did some cool things together – moved hearts, provided opportunities for healing, and I know for sure, we shook up a few people from their ‘autopilot’ routines.
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AND live your dream life.
Get weekly emails, exclusive content. special offers and
event updates directly to your inbox.