Routine and Discipline

Routine is just good for you. It's funny when you think about all the motivational speakers and inspirational posters that you see, it seems like they encourage you to be adventurous and take chances, but when you really, really listen to them, underneath that you hear them stress routine and discipline.

Eric Thomas talks about what you do every day and doing the little things right. He actually kind of yells at people for trying to do the big things when they haven't learned to do the little things yet and for not having a routine. 

This week, my routine started to fall apart just a tiny bit. My routine is more "routine" than most people's. I have to pace myself to maintain it. Last weekend I was sick and I didn't do my laundry for the week of working out the way I usually do and my workout schedule changed a little this week starting on Monday instead of Tuesday.  

But I did not and would not give up my exercise routine. I just let my house get a little messy. Today after a workout class and then yoga, I made myself pick things up instead of resting right away when I got home. It felt good to have things picked up again. I never want to let things get too out of control. I've experienced that. 

Yoga reminds me to stay calm in the struggle. Yoga is magic. It's so good for your body, but it's even better for your outlook and your attitude. It's so calming and relaxing and energizing at the same time. It reminds you how big the tiny things are in life. 

I was so tired this evening that I didn't want to take a shower, but I knew I needed to because I'm going to training tomorrow and I sweat yesterday and today and I needed a shower. I was tempted to take a bath so I didn't have to stand up, but I needed to wash my hair. So I just did it. It wasn't the best shower in the world. I did a lot of standing there with my eyes closed and letting the water hit my back. 

But it made me think about how great it is to have yoga again now that the gym has it. I've missed yoga on Wednesdays because of so many dentist appointments and other stuff happening on Wednesdays. I need yoga. Yoga is the model of routine and discipline. 

Routine and discipline is the foundation that allows you to have the freedom to have things in order so you can open up and receive and explore the bigger things because the little things are already in place. You're already calm in the struggle. The chaos on the outside doesn't affect you. You've tamed the inner chaos.