Life...or Something Like It

The Routine: A Poem in 24 Parts

7:00 AM - Wakeup, Shower, Get Dressed
8:00 AM - Leave for Work
9:00 AM - Arrive at Work
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - "Ease into" doing work by catching up on the news, checking emails, as well as social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, or if you are so inclined, E-Harmony
10:30-11:00 AM - Do some real work
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Take a "break" by conversing with coworkers
12:00 -1:00 PM - Start doing real work again
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Lunch Break
2:00 - 3:00 PM - Real Work
3:00 - 5:00 PM - Countdown the hours until the workday ends
5:00 - 6:00 PM - Commute Back Home
6:00 - 7:00 PM - Watch TV, usually a repeat episode of a comedy (The Simpsons, Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Everybody Loves Raymond), News Programming, or game shows
7:00 - 8:00 PM - Dinner Time
8:00 - 10:00 PM - Evening Activity time. Usually a combination of watching TV and using the internet
10:00 - 11:00 PM - Prepare to go to sleep (take medicine, use revitalizing lotion, etc.)
11:00 PM - Sleep Time

(OPTIONAL)
Drinks with Co-Workers
Movies with Friends
Physical Activity Other than Walking

REPEAT THE PROCESS


THOUGHTS:

I think on some level, all of us can relate to this. We all live a variation of a repetitive routine, no matter what stage in life. As students, we have the pattern of studying (or NOT studying), relaxing, sleeping, going to class, hanging out. As working people, we have a pattern of going to work. Routine is not bad. As people, we need a level of predictability in life. We need the security and stability of normalcy in our lives. That is something we require and something we desire.

Why then are we so often dissatisfied in what we are doing? Why are we so quick to "try something new"? Why do advertisements pushing products that are "innovative" and "fresh" so appealing to us? Why are we always focused on the negatives of the repetitiveness of our lives, rather than seeing the constant positives that come our way, everyday?

I don't know if I can make a grand universal statement on why these things are so. But I would advance this as a possible theory:

We who struggle so much with being unsatisfied in our life routines have allowed WHO we are be defined by WHAT we do.

What does this mean? We do not like being "stuck" in a routine because we find it boring. Because we do boring things, WE must be boring. We don't want to be considered to be boring people, do we?

In order to break this cycle, we must find worth in something other than ourselves. To find satisfaction, not in our circumstances, in ourselves, or in things that come our way, that may or may not change. Instead, our satisfaction must come in something that is unchanging, constant, and wholly satisfying. Only one thing can give us such satisfaction.


REFLECTION:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

When considering "satisfaction" with life, think about the implications of this seemingly paradoxical verse.