Back to Routine. Back to the habits we’ve created for ourselves. Last week we talked about Celebrations and Mindfulness because it was Canada Day and Independence Day, and perhaps a holiday for you if you’re in another country. We need to be able to bounce back to routine after a weekend or a week away. I’ve been at Podcast Movement this week, and I’m recording this episode ahead of time.

Notice how your body feels during times when you are in your routine. Does it feel comfortable? Does it help you relax to be in your routine? See if you can become totally tuned in to your body and mind so you can remember the feeling you enjoy during these times.

Also notice how you feel when you’re not in routine, like maybe times of celebration, thinking back to what we talked about on last weekend’s show. It can be a great feeling to just let go and do whatever you feel like doing at any moment. There are times for this. What does your body feel like when you’re experiencing this? When you’re devoid of routine.

Remember that you’ll appreciate the benefits of routine much more after periods of having no routine.

Jon Kabat-Zinn talks about this in his book, Wherever You Go, There You Are. In the chapter called ‘Not Practicing Is Practicing’, he says, “How does the lack of regular practice affect your anxiety about time and about achieving certain results? How does it affect your relationships? Where do some of your most mindless patterns come from? What triggers them? Are you ready to hold them in awareness as they grip you by the throat, whether your formal practice is strong this week or not? Can you see that not practicing is an arduous practice?”

Jon Kabat-Zinn asks questions that get me thinking, and the above questions are perfect examples.

I think we agree, we all need routine in our lives, we all need good, positive habits that keep us on track. But routine can have a negative connotation as well. Routine can suck the life blood out of you just because of the sameness. That’s why I believe in Mindfulness. Because we need to be aware of our routine, whether it’s helping us or not. Is it taking away life’s pleasures, or helping us by keeping our bodies and minds somewhat consistent?

See the quotes below by Paulo Qualo, Buddy Rich and Bruce Springstein. They are some quotes about the downside of routine. Not surprisingly, these quotes are by some pretty creative people.

Use routine and habit to your advantage. Be mindful of the advantages and disadvantages. Read Hal Elrod’s book, The Miracle Morning. He is incredibly pumped up about the value of having a morning routine … and I agree with him. It’s helped me immensely.

Thanks again for listening. Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your routine, and have some adventure too.

Guest:

• Today I don't have a guest. I mention authors Jon Kabat-Zinn and Hal Elrod. I would love to have both of these authors on my show some day.

Quotes:

• You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. John C. Maxwell
• If we do not respect our earth, the world of emotions and mental development will suffer. We all need rhythm in our food consumption, sleep patterns, cleanliness and exercise regime. This routine does not come naturally and it is learned and exercised from very young age. – Nuit of Conscious Parenting
• Adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal. Paulo Coelho
• So, to come in with a set routine it’s something I’ve never believed in. It should depend on how you feel, because you play what you feel. Buddy Rich
• For an adult, the world is constantly trying to clamp down on itself. Routine, responsibility, decay of institutions, corruption: this is all the world closing in. Bruce Springsteen

Books:

•  Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
•  Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

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