Creature of Habit

Two weeks into the new year, I've managed to keep 3 of my 4 resolutions so far. Snow and OWU's gym being closed for break conspired to make it difficult for me to run last week, but I'm back at it this week.

The other difficulty I'm having with all of these resolutions is that they are making me change my routine. Bread baking makes me plan ahead. Running forces me to carve 45 minutes to an hour out of my day. Hardest of all though, has been taking part in a group exploration of spiritual disciplines. We're focusing on a different one each month, and January's is meditation. This has required me to spend - or try to spend - 15 to 30 minutes a day sitting in silence with God.

This is really hard for me to do. The first challenge is just to set aside a period of time to do it. I've only even gotten that far about half of the days that I've wanted to. Then there is the actual meditation. It's hard to sit for even 5 minutes without my thoughts wondering all over the place. I'll keep at it though.

I was surprised to discover how attached I am to my routine and how hard it has been to make these changes. I'm hoping that I will soon settle in to a new routine, one that makes it easier for me to do all of these new things I'm striving for.

What about you and your routines? Do they make it easier or harder for you to do the things you really want to be about? Any ideas on breaking out of old routines and developing new ones?