I’ve long said that growing old—nay–growing up means falling into mind numbing routines that singe out any and all creativity in ones life. I’ve found my way out of so many routines that I failed to recognize the fallacy of my words. It isn’t the routine that makes us old or even the adherence to the routine. Instead age—nay—life is a psychological construct that we as individuals need to chase our own moments of joy within.
I’ve heard the suggestion that death is like falling asleep. You give into it and recognize that everything is going to be okay. Routine is the same. Fighting it will only raise your stress and gray your hair. So let the routine happen and flower within that routine. It isn’t quite a magic bullet (they don’t exist unless you count hard work as a magic bullet) but it is a mental framework that may serve to reduce the stress of a given situation. I apply it to writing all the time. Sometimes I won’t be able to do the thing I want. I need to shelve it and come back to it when the situation allows. Fighting reality doesn’t work.
Some Thoughts:
- My son’s preschool is a nice and happy environment, but the boy has forgotten everything about reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic he knew. He knew a lot. Now he doesn’t even know letter sounds. Looks like there is a great deal of re-teaching we need to start doing immediately.