The Beau and his friend Diana
I am back to the office today. I’ve been off since Beaumont came home on Wednesday, though yesterday, I took him in for a couple of hours so I could attend a meeting.
He was in heaven. So much attention. So many people to meet and be adored by and adoring of.
This morning, I think we just might have the foundation of a workable routine forming.
Yesterday I bought a portable kennel to put in our bedroom and for C.C. to take to the office when The Beau goes with him.
Last night is the first night he used it and, he slept all night! From 10:30 pm to 5 am. Now that’s progress. Up until last night, I was getting up at least once to let him out. He has a kennel in the kitchen (C.C. says it’s the size of a Parisian apartment). In The Beau’s book, that is just too far away from the one’s he loves! Which means, when put inside at bedtime, he whimpers and whines and yips for a good ten minutes before quietening down. Waking up in the middle of the night, he was reminded of his alone status and pleaded for attention, as well as outside access.
When he went to bed last night, his little head peaked up out of the open top of the kennel. He looked at C.C. and me reading in bed, made sure we weren’t going anywhere and then, with just a little whimper, curled up and went to sleep on the bed in his kennel.
This morning, when I got up at 5, he was sitting quietly waiting for me to release him and take him outside. Now, he’s back in bed with C.C. content to continue sleeping. Yes I know, I wrote ‘in bed with C.C.’ not ‘in his kennel’ This his his morning treat and as this is the first day he’ll not have me home it seems appropriate he get a special treat as C.C. won’t be taking him to the office this morning. He has a golf game at noon and will work from home until then. Which means, The Beau will be alone part of the afternoon until I come home around 3 or 4!
It is all an adjustment, necessary and welcome, but a re-jigging of our schedules and way of doing things none-the-less.
This routine we are creating in the mornings, gives me quiet time for meditation and to write. How perfect is that?
Routine is important in my life. Routine allows me to not think about some of the daily things I have to do to keep my life on track.
Yet, routine gives rise to the contradiction of being present versus being numbed to the moment. It causes me to wonder though if too much emphasis on ‘being present’ can become a routine as well!
I went looking for a quote on the benefits of routine and found little. Most speak to the drudgery and stultifying nature of routine.
How fascinating.
For me, routine feels soothing, and in this complex world, things that soothe my feathered soul create peaceful interludes. They give me space to breathe into each moment without having to plan each moment’s breath.
One quote I found that supports my POV is from Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence. Goleman says, “Scheduling down time as part of your routine is hard but worth it, personally, even professionally.”
Beaumont and I are creating a routine. Part of that requires me to change up how long I appear at my keyboard every morning. To ensure Beaumont’s well-being, and create my peace of mind, I must carve out some time for that all essential morning walk.
Time is finite and I have no desire to get up earlier than 5 am. So, the time must be carved from what exists right now, in this space here.
I’ve cut back from 90 minutes at my computer to 60. We’ll see how it goes.
For now, I’m off to engage in my morning routine and to add the delight of a morning walk with The Beau! How delightful is that!
Namaste.
Dare Boldly 
Love the Beau stories … gonna have to come over and meet the little guy! Routine is an interesting topic! I think routine is good until it becomes too routine! How about loose routine? Where we know the things we want to put in our day every day, but we don’t have to be slavish about when they happen and give ourselves a break if we miss a day?
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I like your idea Ian — writing here every morning is part of my morning routine — it opens my day up with grace and ease, creating space for creativity and routine to co-exist in harmony. And, on those days when I miss the page here, being okay with not posting is as important as posting everyday. thanks Ian — and yes, you must come meet him! he is a delightful fellow. Just like you! 🙂 We have to set that dinner date. let’s chat offline about timing.
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LG,
I think Ellie would be glad that your ‘being energized by dog in your life’ has taken hold again.
Dog walks are magic for dogs. Double-magic for their owners. To say nothing of the exercise we easily evade if we don’t have that obligation/routine of walking them. Time, well taken …
Cheers,
Mark
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So true Mark! Though at this age, The Beau is kinda wishing I didn’t feel so obligated to take him for walks! 🙂 He’s kind of a slug when it comes to being on leash. He’d much rather be racing about the backyard! Ahhh…. the patience and persistence of training. 🙂
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The dogs are more into routine than we are. Torrey especially wears a watch, and knows when to eat, when to play or walk. I think in that sense dogs are very much like babies in that routine is good for them.
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So true Mary — my daughters are constantly reminding me to ‘be consistent’. 🙂 Ellie, the wunder pooch, wore a watch too! Either that or her stomach was a watch!
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Your comments on routine hit home to me because I leaned on ‘routine’ as my stability and my ‘normality’ for a long while (watching the sunrise, going for a walk etc) until one day I realized that it was all a facade. I was trying to create a ‘normal’ out of an ‘abnormal’ situation. So, even though I still think routine is the stuff of life, somewhere in there, it is important to also keep an eye on the big picture … you know one’s direction in life, which I suppose amounts to looking towards the future rather than simply staying in the present, and making sure you are taking the correct path through the jungle. 🙂
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I love your perspective Elizabeth. It is so very important to keep an eye on the big picture, to know direction, tenure, and tempo is of your choosing, not just an attempt at looking like you’re going where you want! Though, sometimes, it is the ‘facade’ of the routine, that reminds me to break out and live, live, live! Sort of the ‘act your way into a feeling’ by stopping to watch the sunrise, go for a walk method of getting into the groove of light — thanks for your thoughtful comments — you always give me wonderful thoughts to contemplate! Hugs
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What a lovely reflection on the ongoing experiment of making Beau feel safe and loved.
Routine is soothing and calming. Our breath is routine, Walking one foot in front of the other is routine…. mother nature is all about routine.
I also like to think of it as more like a series of rituals. Instead of being unconscious habit routine can be elevated to conscious easy rhythm in tune with life.
xo
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Oh Val — how beautiful. conscious ritual to experience the rhythm of life in tune with ease. Lovely!!! ❤
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The only time I will get up before 5am is if I have to catch a plane to a nice place otherwise I am on who likes to get up at a reasonable hour like 7am. Routine is something I of course like because without routine you have chaos
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haha Joanne — I am a natural early riser. Always have been. Beau is now getting up with me, and then, back to bed with C.C. until 7. 🙂
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I LOVE Beau! I don’t think routine is bad Louise. It’s a safe place to come home to after stretching yourself out in the world. Routine creates safety and roots, that’s why kids and puppies thrive on it. ❤
Diana xo
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I love all the vary perspectives on routine everyone has spoken here — and Diana — so true. It is routine that allows roots to sink into the safety of life so children and puppies can thrive — love that! Love you! Thanks my friend. ❤
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