I don't know when it started, but somewhere along the way, down this path called life, I started noticing people more. I guess it's when I became comfortable with my own flaws, as society sees them, I was able to spot tendencies, traits, and routines in others. In my opinion, routine is the root of all evil. It's the rote memory of our existence, lacking any emotion. Even when surrounded by or committing to doing what we love most, routine, can and will, suck every ounce of joy out the experience. This is not to say routine does not serve a purpose, simply to imply that when we do the things we love, even for the ones we love in a mechanical way, it takes the joy out of it.
Think about our parents getting us ready for school. Out of love, the prepared our clothes, or breakfast, made sure our books and homework were in order, and that we were clean and presentable. They did this out of love and as we entered kindergarten their smiles sent us off with smiles of our own. As time went on, this routine affected us, as well as them. They got short with us, as we often took our time, hoping for something, a day off perhaps. By high school, we were expected to fend for ourselves and that hot breakfast became a grabbed bagel or a piece of fruit, at times, a handful of singles for something from the cafeteria. It all felt rushed and the love that surrounded it had become work. Not every day, but most. Routine can be a cancer, especially when efficiency and desire are lost. If the things and actions we view as necessary, maybe even essential, become arduous, what chance do the things we do every day for pleasure have?
We all have our vices. We commonly think of vices as drinking, smoking pot, maybe even the pill to help us sleep or simply come down from the rigors of the day, but there are others, which aren't labeled with four-letter words. What about when sex becomes routine? What about when the weekend tasks with family become so clearly defined that variations cause conflict instead of a new adventure? Vacation or weekend getaways cut in stone, become a task, not the calming relief they once were. Whatever vice one may have, when it loses its joy, it becomes self-defeating. Sometimes taking a break from it, does just enough to switch the routine, that new happiness is found.
If this all sounds to pessimistic or cynical, I'll give you mine. I was obsessed with Twitter. I used it for news, for information, for guidance for movies, food, and often my political beliefs. I shared, laughed, and argued with others. Then I apparently overstepped some boundary and had my account suspended for what appears to be permanently. It's been over two months since my banishment and while I was frustrated in the beginning, I've found more time to do other things I enjoy and I leave the house with a calm I didn't have. Do not misunderstand or disavow my statement. I truly received some joy from the social media site and often was commended for my thoughts. Acknowledgment in an era when society rarely takes time away from their phones to enjoy a sunset (well, without taking a photo and posting it), is an important tool to build our confidence and self-esteem. What I realized was that Twitter and my use of it, had becomes so routine, I could set my watch by the hours of use and what I would say. Without even knowing it, I'd let routine kill everything I enjoyed about it. The extra time looking up has enlightened me. Truly!
Think about our parents getting us ready for school. Out of love, the prepared our clothes, or breakfast, made sure our books and homework were in order, and that we were clean and presentable. They did this out of love and as we entered kindergarten their smiles sent us off with smiles of our own. As time went on, this routine affected us, as well as them. They got short with us, as we often took our time, hoping for something, a day off perhaps. By high school, we were expected to fend for ourselves and that hot breakfast became a grabbed bagel or a piece of fruit, at times, a handful of singles for something from the cafeteria. It all felt rushed and the love that surrounded it had become work. Not every day, but most. Routine can be a cancer, especially when efficiency and desire are lost. If the things and actions we view as necessary, maybe even essential, become arduous, what chance do the things we do every day for pleasure have?
We all have our vices. We commonly think of vices as drinking, smoking pot, maybe even the pill to help us sleep or simply come down from the rigors of the day, but there are others, which aren't labeled with four-letter words. What about when sex becomes routine? What about when the weekend tasks with family become so clearly defined that variations cause conflict instead of a new adventure? Vacation or weekend getaways cut in stone, become a task, not the calming relief they once were. Whatever vice one may have, when it loses its joy, it becomes self-defeating. Sometimes taking a break from it, does just enough to switch the routine, that new happiness is found.
If this all sounds to pessimistic or cynical, I'll give you mine. I was obsessed with Twitter. I used it for news, for information, for guidance for movies, food, and often my political beliefs. I shared, laughed, and argued with others. Then I apparently overstepped some boundary and had my account suspended for what appears to be permanently. It's been over two months since my banishment and while I was frustrated in the beginning, I've found more time to do other things I enjoy and I leave the house with a calm I didn't have. Do not misunderstand or disavow my statement. I truly received some joy from the social media site and often was commended for my thoughts. Acknowledgment in an era when society rarely takes time away from their phones to enjoy a sunset (well, without taking a photo and posting it), is an important tool to build our confidence and self-esteem. What I realized was that Twitter and my use of it, had becomes so routine, I could set my watch by the hours of use and what I would say. Without even knowing it, I'd let routine kill everything I enjoyed about it. The extra time looking up has enlightened me. Truly!
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