Routines

" On and on, time goes on, never stops, Just goes on."

Feels like the theme of things lately. I think frequently about how, without the benefit of a measuring stick, like being in school, time just flies, days to weeks, weeks to months, and so on. I notice it more often than not whenever I think about posting something to this here blog, as I have the measuring stick (the time since the last post), but get curious as to where that time went, because I can't really qualify it. What was I doing? Did I do anything meaningful? Am I just going through the motions?

While there are always subtle differences within a routine work week day, generally the days are the same. Rise around the same time, follow the same routine in the morning getting around - what's on the TV, the order of showering, brushing teeth, then hair, then shaving. It's always the same, never a deviation. Its the same routine with Ellie - she knows my routine well enough that she always goes under the bed to hide once I start putting my tie on - so I leave the bedroom, wait for her to follow, eventually close the door when she does, and take her out on more time before leaving. Its the same exact route into work each day.

Once at the office, it always starts the same - opening email and calendar and see what's on tap; will quickly check twitter and facebook for updates since I am rarely on in the evenings; then schedule the day - writing down when certain tasks will be worked on, what and when phone calls will be made, and so forth. Then its up to the fridge to grab something to drink, and then the work begins. Then those tasks are completed and phone calls from clients are handled as they come. Not every day follows this routine for sure, days with lengthy meetings with clients or hearings in court are obvious wrinkles, but generally, this is what happens.

Then its a pretty common routine headed home. Same route, and once in, usually head downstairs to say hi to Jackie and Ellie before changing and starting dinner. Then dinner, dishes, and most likely a combination of reading and watching TV, sports, news, etc. Again, when I have evening events, like meetings at Church or at the library, things get different. But generally, the routine is always fairly consistent.

As regimented as this all is, I find it important not to get weighed down. While there is a certain security in having such a predictable routine, there is also the strong possibility of becoming trapped by it, by using it as a crutch, to avoid other and better opportunities. So, my question at the moment is, is it enough to try and remain cognizant of this danger, (or at least what I consider a danger) or should I be striving to mix it up on a small basis each day, so as to not get too comfortable in the routine, and be ready for those "opportunities" (whatever they are, not sure how to quantify or define that either) whenever they may arise?

Maybe a crazy thing to be reflecting or worrying about I suppose, but its really about attempting to avoid the pitfall of complacency, which I do believe is worthwhile.