The Comfort of Routine

Journal Entry, June 1, 2010: Weight = 171.2 lbs; Coinage = $1.56, 16 pennies ( 1 wheat, really beat up, but in my wheat jug anyway), 2 nickels, 3 dimes, 4 quarters (one super find, 2 quarters, a dime and a penny—found in an abandoned arm chair at the curb—lifted the seat cushion and there they were); Glass bottles = 4; Ground scores = 6 including a “cross” shaped tire tool, the type used to loosen and tighten the tires when changing.

Journal Entry, May 31, 2010: Coinage = $1.62, 97 pennies, 3 nickels, 5 dimes. (Late evening walk after returning from Memorial Day outing with family, thus no weight measurement); Ground scores = 6; Glass bottles = 5

Journal Entry, May 29, 2010: Weight = 169.6 lbs (yea, another dip into the coveted 160s); Coinage = $1.73, 73 pennies, 1 nickel, 7 dimes, 1 quarter; Glass bottles = 2; Ground scores = 5 including a lovely cheese tray.

Feature Entry: The Comfort of Routine

A lot is blogged concerning boredom as a threat to exercise, but much less about the “comfort of routine.” A Google inquiry delivered inspiration for the concept. Aimee Sicuro delightfully observed that there “is something to be said about the daily rituals that give us comfort.” That we often see our routines as little or insignificant but “its the little things that make certain days better than others.” Somewhat Proustian in feel, she enjoys “drinking out of my favorite extra tall coffee cup,” “a long sweaty run by the ocean,” and “fresh pasta with a marinara and basil.” She admits that there is a time for “shaking things up a bit,” but “the rhythm of routine sure feels good.” (The artistic image above is her creative expression and is from her web site.)

The MoneyWalker can’t possible capture the rhythm of his routine that involves a near daily 90 minute walk, but here goes. Up at six a.m., a quick weigh-in, a donning of walking attire, a cup of water, containers for ground scores snugly packed, visor and vest in place, then out to the streets. Which of his three curvilinear destinations will be followed is resolved before the exit door is reached. Each walk has its own routine—the beginning and a turn-around point, “money spots” interspersed, and long stretches of curbs in between. And then the return, a different path with different money spots before ending at the home place. Day in and day out variety comes from the slightly different paths that lead to the evasive treasures that may or may not be waiting at the hotspots. Yet, it is the routine that provides comfort, the freedom of consciousness to indulge itself in aimless wandering; or if chosen, active forceful thinking while engaged in the methodical rhythm of the daily walk while zooming for heart rate and scanning for coins.

Is there boredom with the endless repetitive walks? Sometimes, but the solution is so simple. All we must do is to call on the comfort of routine, always ready to be teased out and utilized.

MoneyWalker