Dog man. Mr. Happy. Granny. Badminton dad. No-smile jogger.
We’ve nicknamed the people we see regularly on our early morning walks. When we don’t see them, we wonder… are we earlier than normal? are they late? are they ok??
It’s the same reaction I have when we don’t hear from our kids. Or realize we haven’t seen so-and-so in their normal seat at church lately. Are they ok? sick? out of town? Did they lose their phone??
There’s something about routine that frees one’s mind — lets it go on auto-pilot, so to speak. There are numerous benefits to having routines in place. For example, when we were preparing to move overseas a “few” years ago we attended a three-month “boot camp” to help prepare us for our move. We had classes on cultural adaptation, linguistics, team building, conflict resolution, nutrition, marriage and family issues, etc. We were encouraged to build exercise into our weekly schedules. “Encouraged” is a rather mild way of stating it — it was more like a requirement! A minimum of three times a week, 20 minutes of aerobic activity each time. We checked in with our trainer at the end of each week, and if we hadn’t fulfilled the requirement we had to make up any missed sessions! Why make this such a big deal? Because physical activity is a key way to help manage/reduce stress.
Routines also help with time management. Ever since “boot camp,” when I wake up in the morning I endeavor to start the day with some form of exercise. Having that routine in place helps keep me from hemming and hawing, wondering should I or shouldn’t I exercise today? (It also helps me to wake up, which an earlier blog attests to! see link below) Have I done this consistently? Not really. More like off-and-on. When our kids were little, getting regular exercise was hit-and-miss. Now, if I’ve had a late night zoom call or have an early morning one it’s rare that my day starts with exercise.
Another routine that I’ve built into my lifestyle is having what I call my “Quiet Time,” a time set aside to read the Bible, pray, and sometimes journal. This helps to ground me. Gives stability in the midst of ever-changing circumstances and the demands of life. This routine has also morphed over the decades. When our kids were little, my daily Quiet Times sometimes felt like what I read went in one eye and out the other — with nothing connecting to my mind, let alone my heart! But the intent has always been there.
Routines, when adhered to, help us to not procrastinate. Gulp. That’s one I need help with! It’s easy for me to get distracted. To gravitate to things I enjoy doing or do well instead of choosing to do what’s necessary. My agenda — with its calendar and to do lists — helps me keep on track. Most of the time anyway!
Whenever we travel by plane we deal with jet lag. It’s a very real phenomena that results when one’s internal clock gets out of sync with where one currently is in the world. Someone once shared with us to expect to feel like a zombie one day for every time zone crossed. That meant it took our bodies about a week to readjust when we traveled from our home country to Europe when we lived there, but now — with living on the exact opposite side of the globe — it takes even longer! One thing that helps with overcoming jet lag is routine. Going to sleep at the normal time. Waking up at the normal time. And yep, exercising.
Sometimes a break in routine is beneficial– which is one reason why people go on vacation. It’s a time of NOT having to get up the same time each morning. NOT needing to think about doing laundry and responding to emails and all the stuff that fills most days. Having a break can help increase creativity. Give new perspective. Shed light on problems or other issues.
In all honesty, one of the things I’m a bit anxious about with our upcoming move to our home country is finding our new rhythms, our new routines. Redefining the sense of the familiar — like seeing Dog Man and the others on our walks. I know it will come. Eventually.
In the meantime, may we encourage one another to build some healthy routines into our lives so that together we can have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life!”
Back to realizing we haven’t seen so-and-so in their normal seat at church or not hearing from someone (like our kids)… I don’t know about you, but one thing that always lifts my spirits is when someone says, “Hey! Didn’t see you last week. Missed you!” or “Haven’t heard from you for a while. You doing ok?” Being a part of the fabric of society — and being acknowledged when absent — is another way of saying “You’ve been seen. You matter. I care.” But that’s a topic for another blog, another day.
Joy in the Journey 