Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
What’s up today?
Funny how we get into our routines that are roadmaps for our day. Get up early, brush teeth, feed the dog and take her outside, make coffee, slowly clear away the cobwebs left over from a good night’s sleep, sit at the computer and check messages and Facebook, wait for a blog inspiration to dawn along with the lightening sky.
Some morning, music calls me and in go the earbuds because Jan is still asleep. When I am alone in the house I blast music and harmonize with the performer. That is not advisable at 0500 (military time for 5 am) when other people are sleeping…This morning, Etta James is filling my airwaves. She is long gone, after living a pretty rough life which I think gave her a voice to sing the Blues. This album happens to be a collection of gospel songs which she belts out with great abandon.
My friend Katie recently put me on to a series of 3 zoom sessions with Irish poet, David Whyte. I listened to the first session on Monday and my routine thoughts have been disturbed ever since. The introduction to this series, “Crossing the Unknown Sea” says this: “In preparation for the first session, take some time to think about the concept of risk. Consider whether there is a particular risk you’re longing to take, personally or professionally, and what has been holding you back…”
I have been thinking ever since about how my routine might be holding me back from experiencing the joy of doing something daring. Katie is an icon for me: she packed bags, boarded a flight to Ireland, and will be there for two months all on her own. She is staying on the West coast of Ireland, in a town where mostly Irish is spoken. She has met up with a writer who describes various hikes in the area where she is staying. He took her to some awesome sights and told her the stories about each place. What a way to spend a day!!
When I was younger I went on several solo road trips, something that I love doing to this day. So I have planned my pilgrimage to Santa Fe for the end of this month. It’s not a particularly daring move, but it certainly is outside the scope of my daily routine. Being in that high desert landscape, breathing that clean air and seeing dear friends – it doesn’t get much better.
Jan is good enough to support me by holding down the fort, and Mollie Dog, at home. That means that her routine will be disrupted. I am grateful to her for this freedom. I’m not sure she would approve of my taking a two month sojourn, but the gift of two weeks away is precious.
I am slowly realizing that my routine doesn’t have to preclude staying open to new opportunities. Every day can hold a surprise that means I have to adjust my comfort level and try something different. Maybe the risk that I can take is to keep an open heart and mind to the possibility that something might jostle my comfortable routine and present me with a new way of thinking or doing. These things are gifts from the Universe. “Thank you” is this morning’s prayer.