Nothing Routine About That!

I’m a big fan of routines. When I get off track with my morning walk or yoga practice for too long, I feel a bit out of sorts. I’ve fallen into a rhythm of four days of walking, two days of yoga, and one day off each week. There’s something comforting about having a set schedule to help create a sense of stability in my life. 

But I’ve noticed when I get too rigid with my routines, what once felt like scaffolding feels more like a cage. Over the past few months, I’ve been more flexible with my routines. Thankfully, I’m remembering to ask Spirit for guidance more often. This past Saturday, I had one of the most joyful afternoons I’ve had in a long time. Had I stuck to my routines, I would have deprived myself of this experience.

It started last December when some new friends invited me to brunch at their home. I really wanted to go so I could get to know them better and meet some of their friends. But the date they chose was a day I had already scheduled an online Family Constellations Workshop at 2 PM. Brunch was at 10:30 AM, so technically there wasn’t a conflict.

However, I have fallen into a nice routine on workshop days that seems to serve me well. I don’t schedule other appointments on those days. Instead, I set aside the morning to be quiet, practice yoga, and allow ideas and insights to flow into my mind for the event. I also need to be available to answer last-minute questions or share the Zoom link with anyone who bought a ticket but didn’t receive the registration email. (They sometimes get flagged as spam.)

Gratefully, I have been practicing A Course in Miracles long enough to know whenever I have a difficult decision to make, large or small, I can ask for guidance on what is the highest and best choice for all. In this case, my guidance was to let the hosts know about my commitment in the afternoon and ask if it would be rude for me to leave by 12:30. They responded that would be no problem, so I graciously accepted.

Even though I was a bit uncomfortable breaking my routine, I’m so glad I did! Not only was brunch delicious, but I also loved our conversation and made some new local friends. Two of which I have gotten to know quite well since then. We have gone on several other outings, including the Scrollathon exhibit I wrote about a few weeks ago. 

This leads me to the joyous experience I had last Saturday. It was “yoga day,” and I was just about to roll out my mat when my phone rang. It was one of my new friends asking if I’d be interested in going boating with them that afternoon. 

Wow! There aren’t many things that light up my soul more than being on a boat. It doesn’t matter if it’s a kayak, a cruise ship, or any size boat in between. My love for being on the water might be a way to connect with my dad, who served in the Navy before I was born. Whatever the reason, I’m like a happy dog with its head out a car window whenever I’m on a boat. (For proof, look at the photo above. The only thing missing is my tongue hanging out!)

With that in mind, here’s the ridiculous thing. I almost declined the invitation because it meant I’d have to skip yoga and not work on my website later that afternoon. Seriously, John? In my defense, there was one other consideration. I was on day 6 of the lemonade cleanse, so I’d have to bring my homemade lemonade and explain to my new friends why I wouldn’t be snacking with them.

I checked in with Spirit, and it shouldn’t surprise you that the answer was an overwhelming YES. It was a gorgeous sunny Florida day with temperatures in the mid-70s. Perfect for boating. I only knew 3 of the 7 other boaters, but everyone got along wonderfully. One of the highlights of the day was when 2 playful dolphins surfaced just a few feet from our boat! Another highlight was when we dropped anchor in a little inlet. For at least 30 minutes, we just enjoyed the breeze and each other’s company as the boat gently rocked with the waves. It was pure magic!

I could not have asked for a more perfect afternoon. When I returned home, I sat on my sofa for a while and just reveled in gratitude. Had I stuck to my routine on several different occasions, I would have missed  that joyous afternoon. It was such a good reminder to hold my routines loosely. Yes, they are helpful to keep me on track, but if I hold them too tightly, they can keep me from experiencing life’s greatest joys.

If you’d like some assistance in creating some healthy routines or breaking free of some that have you stuck, please reach out. I would be honored to help you experience more joy in your life with a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions or a private Family Constellations Session. Both can be done from anywhere in the world using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Look around my website or send me an email for more information. You can also book a session using my automated scheduler so you’ll know exactly when appointments are available. I look forward to working with you!

Until next time, let your routines keep you on track, but don’t be afraid to break them. It’s fun to shake things up once in a while!

Routines as such are dangerous, because they easily become gods in their own right, threatening the very goals for which they were set up. 

A Course in Miracles ~ M-16.2:5