When I sat down to write this post, the first thought to
enter my head was, ‘do I really have to do this today?’
I suppose I do not, but at the same time, I do...
It is the same when it comes to getting up in the
morning. There are days when I ask myself, ‘do I really want to read for half an
hour then meditate.’ Lots of times I do
not. But I do it anyway.
Breakfast and mealtimes sometimes cause a similar
dilemma. I will ask myself, ‘do I really want to spend time preparing and
cooking a healthy meal.’ Most times, I do. But there days when the ping of the
microwave or the lure of the takeaway seems very inviting.
Sometimes I do cave in, and I pay the price. My body aches
and my conscience is full of all the ‘should not’s and should haves.’ Not only is my body in more pain than usual
for days, but I am sent on a guilt trip for days as well.
Likewise with my morning routine of reading and
meditation; if I do not do these things my day does not feel right. Reading in
the morning gives me something to contemplate on throughout the day. Meditation
allows me to watch my thoughts come and go and then I am able to focus on what
really matters.
In a way, I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It
would be nice not to get up at 5:30 A.M.
An extra hour in bed would be terrific. At least, that is what the little
voice in my head tells me. But when I get up and become engaged in my morning
routine, the little voice in my head
goes back to whatever stone he crawled out from underneath .
It is very easy to loll about in the comfort zone. But
doing things my head tells me I do not want to do pushes me forward.
It is the same when it comes to drawing, painting and
writing. My head will ask me, ‘do you really want to do that today?’
It will tell me I have no ideas. Nothing to write about. Nothing new to draw. Just
sit here for a while. Have a cup of tea and relax into the comfort zone. Then
the ‘while’ turns into hours. Sometimes days.
I used to listen to that little voice quite a bit.
Occasionally, it still gets the better of me. But most times it does not. Even
when it tells me, I have nothing new to draw or write about, I do it anyway.
And while the little voice rambles on, I turn up at the page. I become engaged
in what I am doing.
It is at those times, that I often come up with a new
idea; a new way of looking at something, which becomes creative inspiration.
Getting out of the comfort zone pushes me forward, keeps
me thinking and puts the little voice to sleep.
Message to my little voice; yes, I really do want to do this today.
Are we slaves to our treasured routines I sometimes wonder? And perhaps it is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Christine. Thank you. You make a good point. I would far prefer to be a 'slave' to my routines rather than a slave to the little voice in my head.
DeleteYes, sometimes it's hard to do the right thing. I'm not so strict with myself as I used to be, and for me this is right just now. Have a great week, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThank you, Valerie. I find that I must stick to my routines or nothing feels right. I am willing, and do, let go of things outside of my control, but I do need my routines to keep me on track and on top of the everyday stuff.
DeleteI don't know if we are "slaves" to our routines. If doing something daily makes you feel good, feel right, isn't more of keeping a balance? Then where there is balance there is a freedom to explore, go out of the box, be adventurous. Anyway, it works for me. Have a great adventurous day John
ReplyDeleteHi, Nicole. Thank you for commenting. I do not feel like a 'slave' to my routines. Meditation and reading help me to focus on the things that really matter, help me be more creative and helps put all those little 'voices' in their proper place. It works for me, and as they say; 'if it is not broken, do not fix it.'
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