” Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.” – W. H. Auden
The Rhythm of Life. We all use patterns, routines and habits to simplify our lives. If fact, our brains are pattern forming machines. It all started when the world was a more dangerous place. As humans, we had to survive.
The Brain uses the most fuel of any part of the body, so the brain became good at setting patterns to keep us from thinking all the time. Imagine if you had to think about breathing and making your heartbeat every second of your life! Now, breathing is blessedly a pattern that happens without our thinking about it.
Patterns you want. Many patterns and habits are things you would want. As adults, driving is like second nature, easy, but when something breaks the pattern, such as a braking vehicle ahead, our body jolts us to respond. Likewise, you have a rhythm at work, a pattern you follow each day. Kids have a rhythm at school, they’ll soon be in. You likely shop the same stores, drive the same routes, eat the same food and see the same people, day in and day out.
Patterns you don’t want. Unfortunately, patterns & habits can be harmful. Maybe you always roll your eyes at your teenage daughter. Maybe she always pulls out her phone every time the conversation lapses for more than 5 seconds. Maybe you always eat fast-food for lunch. Maybe you plop down on the coach the minute you get out of school and don’t move until 11PM with a crushing wave of cable sapping your will to live. (Just saying maybe…)
Robotic Life. Do you ever feel like your life is on autopilot? Like you are moving mindlessly through the days, busy as all get-out, but not going anywhere? You are trapped in your patterns; you are living a robotic life.
The Reassessment. This is a perfect time to break your patterns and escape to the farm. The fresh air and diversion from your normal sights, sounds and smells is a welcome relief to a brain stuck in the proverbial rut.
Nature has a way of connecting us to something bigger then the thrumming beat of daily life.
See you soon on the farm,
Farmer Hugh