Hello There!
It is Thursday already, this week seems to be going by in a hurry for some reason. I always feel the first three months of the new year go by quickly, or maybe that is how long it takes me to remember to write the correct year! LOL. Can't tell you how many times I've written 2011 this past month!
I've been thinking about how as we age we become more like our parents, following certain routines each day. Now, don't roll your eyes because believe me, one day you will be just like this! That's a guarantee. It's not all bad, really. I was wondering about routines and if it is only noticeable as we get older or if maybe we have been doing this all along? When we were children it was just what we did everyday, when we became parents, we put our babies on a "schedule" and later in the workforce, it became the "daily grind", now that we are older, it is called "routine". Let's face it, everyone has a routine whether you choose to call it that or not, that is what it is. Maybe the difference is where you are in the age process. How flexible you are in your daily habits?
Whatever, it is still routine, call it what you may. I kinda like it (routine) because I know what I need to do next. Of course there are variations to the routine from time to time along with the interruptions. Interruptions are dreaded by some, like the plague, or they can be bright moments that bring joy to your day (week, month or year)! It is called CHANGE, ewwwhhh, I know, that little six letter word strikes fear into the heart of many and brings delight to others. Some people fear change, others embrace it; I'm guessing that it depends on what change it brings to your life. Maybe change comes to break the monotony of routine! As an older person, change can be difficult to work into a routine, but it is important as we age to stay open to change.
I hope to be able to embrace changes when they come into my life, whether they are good or difficult and to see the lesson in each one. Hopefully, to learn what is necessary to grow spiritually, to count my blessings each time. To "live and learn", I've heard that all my life and that is what change is about, learning life's lessons and whether or not you get it the first time around or need remedial lessons to remember what to do or not to do in the future. So routine isn't a bad thing and neither is change, it just depends on how you take it and what you do with it. I'm wondering how many people would take routine over change if given a choice?
Have a wonderful week and enjoy your routines, embrace changes and count your blessings!
4 comments:
Comment love, sis-tuh! I love my routine and I'm not near as old as you are ;) You know I ♥ you!
Anne, thanks for the comment love! No you aren't as old as me but then you aren't there yet, just wait, you will be soon enough, then you will know what I'm talking about. LOL! Have a great day! Love you!
Susie, you said: "I'm wondering how many people would take routine over change if given a choice?" I suppose this partly depends on a person's personality--some people are risk-takers and enjoy the spontaneousness of the unknown and others like more control over their lives. Some people like the familiarity, safety and comfort of routine; others are bored by it. Routine is sort of a groove in our lives; it's easy, and we don't have to think about it. We know what to do and how to do it, so it doesn't take much effort. Change takes effort, thought, and time.
Think about cooking, for example. When you cook your normal, routine recipe, you don't really think about it. It's automatic because you've done it so many times before. That's not the case when you cook a new recipe. You have to read it, think about it, observe what is happening while you are cooking to make sure everything is going right, keep checking the recipe instructions, etc. The new recipe (change) takes more effort.
I think routine--at least in my life--enables me to get things accomplished. For example, I get up in the morning, walk my dog, eat breakfast and answer emails (personal and from my students). If I am tutoring that day, I get the invitations out to the students. Then I can tackle the rest of the day's work and play. This routine helps me get organized and prepared for my work day.
Routine provides stability and change relieves the boredom.
Kathy Matthes
Well said Kathy! Thanks for your comment.
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