Hi Friend
This week has been average. I had a friend once tell me “Every week you write, you make it sound like extraordinary things go on in your life all the time. I know they don’t. You just exaggerate.” He was sincere and I thought he was hilarious. I’m grateful my internal interpreter finds the sliver of positivity and magnifies it.
I feel like I’m finally back in a groove of life. Nothing is routine yet, but also life feels a bit normal; not like I’m a guest in my own existence. That’s why an “average” week does feel slightly extraordinary to me, because it means the adjustment phase is close to concluding.
I ran. I volunteered at church. I went for a couple of walks. I had several great meetings. I attended a few webinars. My office studio is set up. We had a date night. I met new people here in MN. We submitted a couple of proposals. I sent off a slide deck for an upcoming event. All very regular stuff. How delightful.
I sat out on our little patio several mornings, reading. I was visited by a cardinal, sparrows, a woodpecker and a couple of chickadee siblings darting around. I am captivated by their antics. Michelle’s concerned that becoming a “bird watcher” might be an indication of old age.
MONOTONY OF NORMAL
When you and I are so far away from routine, it seems safe that at least we won’t get stuck in a rut because of the monotony of normal. However, even in disruption, there is an odd offer of complacency to exist in all these disparate ways, enabling disorder to feel typical. And in that, patterns of unproductively can emerge.
My lovely bride got me an exercise tracker, that I can put a gold-star on every day that I move 20 minutes or more. Yes, her third-grade teacher tendencies persist outside of the classroom. Yes, I’m grateful for her effort to provide consistency. Yes, it is an enjoyably motivator that shrinks inconsistencies amidst continual change.
ANCHORS AWAY
Though I’m still lacking the specific daily customs I had developed these last few years, I’m hopeful I cultivate just enough anchoring activities to foster stability. What anchors your life on a weekly basis?
Life is unpredictable, uncertain and always on the verge of chaos. One unexpected decision by a kid, co-worker or even stranger, can immediately and abruptly shift our reality. Having several anchoring points empowers us to remain steady even in the most alarming scenarios. Do you have enough anchors?
I’m currently vulnerable to more dramatic sways because a lot of anchors have been hoisted up. Thankfully anchors like faith, friends, imagination and my own identityaren’t dependent on location or experiences. They’re settled.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Spend 15 minutes watching birds.
2. Share with someone three anchors that weekly keep you sane.
3. Consider how disruption serves you or deters you.
4. Commit to a gold-star activity this week that brings stability.
The irony that routine creates freedom becomes more real when we experience the lack of them. Who knew life would be limiting when structure is limited? The configuration of our daily existence expands in direct proportion to the commitment of consistency we’re capable of cultivating.
Don’t you love that about life? We possess the power of controlling the narrative in the midst of fickle volatility!
BIG LIFE
Though this week seemed average, I DO see the amazing gift, that is. Life offers each of us unique adventures, challenges and difficulties that grow or shrink in light of our anchoring patterns.
We don’t get a big or small life because of circumstances. We don’t miss out on destiny because of disruptions. We are offered fulfillment by navigating the path between stability and instability, expected and unexpected, wanted and unwanted… and through our anchoring patterns we remain in joy and peace.
I hope this week you find yourself living above average, staying out of the ruts and remain anchored in the patterns that matter most. I can lend you a gold star if you do…