127. ...tightening the nuts and bolts of my character...
(morning thinking)
What small stuff should I sweat? I have found that it is important (for me) to put energy into maintaining simple morning habits that will positively shape my experience of the day as it unfolds. When I stretch, write, read, exercise and meditate before 7am I know that however the day develops, whatever occurs beyond my control (all of it is beyond my control) I will have gently tended my mind, body and soul. I have set myself up to move through the day with grace.
I tweak and align all the little points of order that maintain the larger behaviours, the nuts and bolts of the bigger engine of my character. The wisdom and contentment that I aspire to will be fed by daily habits -
purposefully moving my mind and body with measured intention.
The courage I am building comes from pushing into experiences that frighten me. The virtues I hope to hold are built on the observance of little actions and they are worth the effort.
The idea that the small habitual routines and rituals of my morning are the process of tightening the nuts and bolts and oiling the joints and gears of my character is nice. I think this is a strong analogy.
I’m still waking every morning and pre flight checking the machine. I think this morning routine must be around four years old.
It can take concrete 100 years to harden. In fact, some of the sources I’ve looked at say concrete hardening is indefinite. There's the thing about the vast walls of the Hoover Dam still yet to set. I don't know if I believe that. My morning routines are quite strongly set but (and yet!) I don’t think I’d ever want them to harden.
At first I thought it was absolutely vital that I execute each stage of my morning routine in exactly the same way each time. Make and pour coffee the same way, do the same exercise routine, sit in the same chair all at the appointed times. Unwavering rigidity. It did help to have a very fixed routine in the beginning.
Solidity is very important in the early stages of building something big.
I’d get very cross with myself when things were out of synch. Maybe I’d get a cold or family would come to visit, or I’d stay up too late but for whatever reason the morning would be disrupted. Timings could be off, patterns misaligned, even just a little, and I'd be cross.
I'd thinkshout “I NEED this!” the routines in their newness felt precarious but I could see them begin to scaffold my growth as I reached up out fresh foundations. They were vital and shouldn’t be messed with or neglected. NOT ONE BIT!
When things dry out they become brittle.
What I’ve realised in this morning's reflection is that I’ve stopped sweating the micro details.
I don’t have to follow a strict step by step regimented routine as long as I adhere to the broad principals.
I wake, I stretch, I write and reflect.
I’m making time for myself, setting up my day. When I make all of these pre-flight checks I’m testing the suitability of my mind and body for the day ahead. Oiling the joints and tightening the nuts and bolts of my character before departure. I’m making it more likely that the takeoff will be smooth and the flight across the continents of whatever comes up as the hours pass by beneath me is smooth. I’m making sure that if (when) I inevitably hit turbulence I am in tip top condition for dealing well with the effects.
What do you do in the morning that informs your day?
Let me know.
Or don't. (Please do)
It was great to see you. Come back next time yeah?
Love you bye.
Paul.
I find if I catch your email in the morning, it is a good day sign. Otherwise I read it later and it is still good. Looks like today is a good day. Have started the 100 days project and this time I'm doing a pencil drawing (no rubbers) each day. Today is day 7. Don't think I can send them here. I'm publishing them on Facebook. Oh yeah, 100 days is about doing the same creative task each day for 100 days and publishing it each day. Not unlike your variable frequency. Thanks for the writing.