Breaking Routines and Golden Moments

Last month, I experienced a golden moment that reminded me how important it is to be flexible with my routines. Routines provide a sense of comfort and stability, which is especially important these days. However, if I hold them too tightly, routines can have the opposite effect and create more stress. (If you prefer to hear me tell the story, click here to watch the YouTube video.)

One of my routines is to start my day with exercise. I like to move my body and get my heart pumping before unexpected events of the day fill up my schedule. Four days per week I take a brisk morning walk along beautiful Sarasota Bay, two days I practice yoga in my living room, and one day I take a more leisurely stroll along the beach. This schedule has been working well for quite a while. 

On this particular walk day, I stayed in bed an extra hour because I was up late working the night before. That meant I did not have time to do my morning walk before my first appointment. I considered doing a shorter walk, but even then I would have to rush. I didn’t want to be in a hurried state of mind before the coaching session, so I decided to take care of other tasks and trust I would be able to walk later. 

Honestly, it was not ideal weather for a walk outside anyway. Not only was the temperature in the low 40s, but it was drizzly, gray, and windy. As much as my ego wanted me to stick to my routine, it would not have been peaceful or enjoyable to be outside on a rainy morning when I had limited time. The sun was supposed to come out and warm things up later that day, so I set the intention to walk after my last client. 

Gratefully, nothing unexpected popped up that day, so I was able to go for a walk right before sunset. And what a gift that turned out to be! It was abundantly clear why photographers call that time of day the “golden hour.” The angle of the setting sun illuminated the city skyline with a radiant golden glow. 

As I gazed at the golden light reflecting off the buildings and shimmering in the waters of Sarasota Bay, a dolphin surfaced right where I was looking! Dolphin sightings always bring me great joy, but the combination of the dolphin with the golden light show was especially spectacular.

Had I stuck to my morning routine and forced myself to do a short walk in the drizzly, cold weather, I would have missed that magnificent moment. That dolphin was the perfect messenger to remind me that miracles happen when I check in with my heart and let go of the ego’s rigidity.

I’m not saying always be loosey-goosey with your routines. Sometimes it’s beneficial to stick to them even when we might prefer to sit on the couch and watch a movie. Making morning walks and my yoga practice a priority is a healthy habit that keeps me feeling good mentally, emotionally, and physically...especially when I encounter dolphins! (This doesn't happen as often on my yoga mat.)

However, when routines are not enhancing our experience, and perhaps causing more unrest, it might be time to reevaluate them. I invite you to take a moment to check in with some of your daily routines. Are they still feeling peaceful and moving you towards your heart’s desires and good health? Or have they taken a turn and feel more stressful than helpful?

If the latter is true, can you allow yourself the grace to ease up on those routines, even temporarily, without feeling guilty? In my experience, when I give myself permission to get out of the rut of my routines, even if it’s just for a week, a day, or an hour, miracles happen.

If you would like some assistance reevaluating your routines or creating some new ones to experience more peace, love, and joy, please consider giving yourself the gift of a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions. It would be my great joy to walk with you for a while and offer tools and alternative perspectives on whatever is challenging you. 

Please look around my website for more information about my coaching programs and to schedule your first appointment. Meeting on Zoom or FaceTime every week for an uplifting conversation might be just the routine you need to experience more miracles! I look forward to working with you. 

Routines as such are dangerous, because they easily become gods in their own right, threatening the very goals for which they were set up.

A Course in Miracles ~ M-16.2:5