This week’s inspiration comes via happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin, from her five-year journal, The Happiness Project.
“Novelty is stimulating and valuable. However, the pleasure of doing a thing in the same way, at the same time, every day, and savoring it, is worth noting.”
I’d never considered the pleasure of a habit. But after returning home from my five-day vacation with my family, I think Rubin has a point.
Although I enjoyed every single minute—from the amazing dinners where Blakely Faye had her first Maryland crab, to the Iron Chef competition where the men defeated the women (sigh), to family photo shoots, to the grown-ups getting in on the playground fun, to the poolside shenanigans where Blakely Faye held court—I got far outside of my morning routines.
No walking the dog. No getting the newspaper. No brewing that special coffee blend that wakes me up so I can begin my morning quiet time reading.
But, I needed the break. And, I think it’s a good thing to disconnect and shake up our routines.
Still, there was something pleasant, as Rubin suggests, about coming back to the familiar, to the little habits that help me jumpstart my body, my mind, and now my funny bone, thanks to my sister.
Yes, my sister is at it again. Still grateful for her steadfast counsel in my book cover decision, she’s still keeping me fortified, this time with laughter.
Every day.
In the last month or so we’ve developed a nutty habit where we Snapchat each other to wish each other a good morning. This exchange doesn’t sound terribly exciting until you hear what the “voice changer” filter can do to one’s message. Check it out.
And of course every morning I have to respond to her:
So besides my content dog, and my perfectly brewed coffee that nudges me to move through my morning newspaper and reading, I now know I can count on Snapchat to make me laugh out loud.
It’s a new habit. What a great way to start the day! My dog, my coffee, and sharing a laugh with my sister.
How about you? What routines energize you each day? Tell me about it. I’d love to know.
My best–always,
Becky (Nana B)
P. S. Still time to sign up to get the first look at my book cover selection. My book, Rethinking Possible: A Memoir of Resilience. will be published in June.
P. S. S. And of course, Blakely Faye is in on the action from time to time.
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