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.