Back to routine. I love my routine. And I love variety to my days and to my life. It’s the combination that makes life so much fun.
The first thing I do when I roll out of bed is to make up the bed. As I smooth the covers, I feel like this is an omen for a smooth day. I actually read about a study that indicated that people who make up their beds daily get more accomplished during the day. Could be, but unfortunately you can’t prove it by what I get done! 😉
Some people love hanging around in their pjs, but not I. All those years of having to get up and get dressed to go to work deeply instilled that habit. I weigh, shower, put on my face, and get dressed before going downstairs. Before I had to quit drinking coffee, Steve, who is always up first, would usually bring me a cup and give me my good morning kiss. At least I still get the kiss!
After I take my oatmeal out of the microwave, I have a very small window of opportunity for my “porridge” to be “just right.” I add a little stevia, a cube of ice, and a tablespoon of chia seeds. (No, I haven’t yet sprouted little green plants.) That sits long enough for me to fetch the newspaper from the front lawn. And then my oatmeal is just the right temperature and texture.
As I eat, I read my Bible and then the newspaper. After a time of prayer, I may go to my exercise class at the YMCA or walk or do my own exercises at home. Often the prayer time is combined with the walking.
Then comes the variety. This week I have lunch with friends on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That’s more than usual, but then I’ve been gone a while. We have the omnipresent doctor appointments which take time, but also enjoy shopping or going to special events. I always have some home project I’m working on besides Steve’s office work and my writing.
Kit for refugee child
For example, yesterday I gathered together supplies for a refugee kit. A friend at church suggested we fill welcome kits for refugees who arrive with little or nothing, and I think it’s a great idea. Many of us want to help and don’t know how, but this is a concrete way. World Relief is an organization that helps refugees get settled, and we get to help! Many of our congregation had supplied kits for dining, bathroom, household, hygiene, and cooking. I collected the items for a child kit, for of course many families need more than one of those. I bought a booster seat, twin sheet and pillowcase set, a twin comforter, a pillow, and crayons and a coloring book. (I was tempted to add some toys, but I think every kit is supposed to be about the same.) A complete list of what is needed in each kit is here. It’s fascinating—and humbling—to think of what you’d need if you were starting out with nothing.
So such projects keep popping up, such as helping raise funds for ArtsWave. ArtsWave supports the arts in the greater Cincinnati area. I loved it when performers came to our school or we went to plays or concerts when I was teaching, and I enjoy helping to support all the arts in general.
Today I met with my Writers’ Group where we discussed our writing plans for the year and caught up with each other’s lives. Reading what the other women write is always inspiring to me, as are their lives in Christ.
Of course handling Steve’s speaking engagements and writing what I choose is variety in a way. Every client is different and every article is different. I enjoy both.
I guess any scriptural application would have to include Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the old King James Version: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Of course Pete Seeger’s song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” made popular by the Byrds, gave it a tune. Maybe you’ll get that tune stuck in your mind today. Could be worse. You’ll just be adding a little variety to your routine!
