Every day presents its own new challenges. We never know what will happen. We only think we do. We have in mind what we want to accomplish. We make plans. Go to work, cook dinner, pick up dry cleaning, go to the grocery store, and watch that favorite TV show.

What if plans are disrupted. John Lennon said, “Life is what happens while you are busy making plans.”

Does that make sense? Do you take each day for granted, expecting another chance tomorrow, which allows you to put off what should have been accomplished today?

We all act as if there is going to be a tomorrow, and it may be the same as today. I have a friend I have known for 12 years. We worked together in the same office for 4½ years. Every day was the same. He worked diligently to keep it that way.

He would show up to work at the exact same time, read his newspaper, watch the same TV shows every day. Believe it or not, he was happy. This was the work life he had created for himself. He had a girlfriend. Both knew they never would marry, but they were happy in their routines. Each was predictable. Each loved it, and each other. They were lucky they knew each other so well. Both knew where the other was at any time.

I wondered what would happen if something caused them to vary their routines.

One day it did. He lost his job and was transferred to a different facility, closer to home, doing virtually the same thing. Amazingly, he quickly re-established his routine and was as happy as before.

Naturally, Just a Hiccup

The transfer was a minor interruption.

His girlfriend took the change in stride, too. Closer to home, they saved fuel and travel time.

Remember, just because their work lives were routine did not mean their social lives were. Far from it. A very good ice hockey player, he realized that every time he played, he could be injured. On many occasions, his girlfriend helped him home with a bad bruise, a cut or a sprain,

She was an accomplished educator who traveled abroad to show others her teaching techniques. Her routine was one of domesticity. When not working or socializing, she, too, was happy with her life.

Routine is not for everyone. But for those who enjoy it, happiness is tied to the routine they have created. If the routine is disrupted, happiness disappears. Many may never be happy again.

A man I knew had a job that was routine, but paid him a salary in six figures. He enjoyed the routine immensely because it allowed him to employ all of his amazing skills. One day, much to his surprise, he was blindsided and laid off. He never recovered. To this day he rues the loss of the job. While he has worked elsewhere since, he never has regained the same lofty degree of happiness.

My purpose this afternoon is not to minimize routine but point out that one must be careful in being too vested in a routine.

Recognize it is just routine. Allow yourself to make an occasional change. Although uncomfortable at first, change will help you to focus more on what genuinely makes you happy and it will help you understand yourself better

It’s Crucial to be Flexible

Knowing what makes you happy is one part. But your inability to try something different is stifling. Remaining blind to change cuts you off from living.

We are here to live, not merely exist. but also to live and to experience. Being afraid to experiment is to limit your life experience. Breaking your routine can be eye opening and informative, and it may even lead to a better life.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone, 310.204.3321, or by email at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net. See my website at www.hypnotherapy4you.net