The Routine

A routine is a custom that we adhere to. Practiced regularly, routines form habits. Some habits are good, others are not so good. Some habits are developed over time unknowingly.

When my son was a newborn, I formed a habit. Every morning, when he first awoke, we’d follow the same routine. First, I’d lean into his crib and make eye contact – we gazed and smiled at each other. Then I’d lift him up and we’d make our way around the room saying good morning to everything from stuffed animals to two sleepy eyed reflections in the mirror. Then we’d peer out the window and talk about the weather (I did all the talking), sing a song and settle into a rocking chair and read a story.

A Special Time

It was one of those special parent-child times – a regular practice that I’ll remember forever. I chose to do these things first, intentionally, rather than to toss him onto the changing table and have the ‘diaper thing’ be the first thing we did every day. Sometimes I was in a hurry, sometimes that diaper was a priority, but no matter what, every morning we went through the same routine before we got to ‘the change’.

When it came time to change his diaper, we’d be all cozy. I’d tickle his belly to make him smile and coo. We laughed. I’d press a wet wipe in my palms as we rubbed noses and smiled some more.

Then One Day It Happened

I was in a hurry and had other things on my mind. We began our routine like any other day. With story time completed, as I was delivering the Eskimo and Butterfly kisses, I pulled a wet wipe from the bin and immediately patted it on to his bottom. The look on his face said it all. His eyes widened and began to tear. It plugged me in to the moment. His little mouth opened and then he closed his eyes so he could put all his energy into that little scream! The instant he cried, I realized what had happened. In my haste, I forgot to warm the wet wipe in between my hands and slapped a cold one on to his bottom. Good feeling gone. I picked him up (sans diaper) and hugged and rocked him while he settled down. He calmed, I apologized, and we finished the change and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. But the lesson was crystal clear:

You Only Get One Morning Every Day

Tomorrow would be another opportunity to conduct our special routine. Today’s was over. I made up my mind on the way to work that day to treat everyone as ‘special’ that morning. And I’ve done it ever since.

The Lesson

You only have one chance to say hello, to treat people well, the first time every day. Do it with a smile. Why would you choose any other way? Did someone take that last cup of coffee or park in your ‘regular’ spot at the station? Do yourself a favor. Get over it. You only get one morning every day. Make the most of it. Do it consistently. It will become a habit that serves you well.

What kind of habits have you formed? What do you find yourself doing on a regular basis that works for you? Are there patterns you’d like to change? Let us know in the comments section below. A real person reads and responds to all comments.

Thanks,

David

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