In our human experience, many of us thrive best within a predictable routine. Now, I should be the last person on Earth to speak about the advantages of routine. On the scale of someone who thrives on variety… to someone who enjoys routine, I fall off the scale looking for random new things & people each day. But even chaos for some people could be interpreted as a routine.
Science says that a regular sleep pattern is essential. We eat the same breakfast and same lunch. When we were able to go outside, we would drive the same route, park in the same spot and sit in the same seat on Sunday mornings. We wear those same old clothes and prefer oldies music ‘from my generation.’ Following a routine means less decisions and that means less stress. Comfort is found in the familiar.
It is the power of any normal.
The difficulty of course is what if my normal is not healthy? It is not all that easy to admit, and it is even harder to change, for habits are hard to break. Concerning our mind alone, negative thoughts, harmful opinions of others and simply a poor outlook inhibits our ability to experience grace and joy.
So that is why the power of Scripture is so crucial. I need new insight, better ideas and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The power of a new normal. “Chip away O Lord, reform my character.”
So, my friend, we must be vigilant to evaluate our routines, whatever they may be and make sure our patterns are ‘healthy paths’ instead of “unhealthy ruts” emotionally, physically and spiritually.
There is a routine that is good and routine that is bad. Hmm.
To break up the loneliness of shelter-at-home, I arranged an online high school reunion of my church youth group on this Saturday! Oh my goodness! To prepare for this, I listened to my favorite high school music all week long. This in turn has summoned up 30-year-old memories of people I liked and all the complexity of high school.
All the patterns of old relationships, quirky people and memories come rushing back like a powerful river current. The old normal. How could I possible control a conversation of friends from 30 years ago? Should I expect the relationship dynamics to be the same or hope for something different? Well, the healthier we each are individually will lead us collectively to be “normal” again. Cheers, class of 1982.