Stress, Intelligence, & Routines
creating a moment in the chaos
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…” - Marcus Aurelius
As a bearer of ADHD, a somewhat complex job, & multiple kids, if I don’t establish my morning & evening routines, I begin to feel stressed & it leaks to the important areas of family, friends, & work. This is compounded by daily round of gruesome pictures and videos emerging from the Russian Genocide being perpetuated in Ukraine & other conflict areas around the world. It’s easy to feel the world falling in on you.
In order to find stability, I’m working on establishing a new morning routine this week — earlier wake-up, purposeful reading, intentional movement (aka working out or yoga), and time spent on passion projects (this space & some other endeavors).
I have started reading these three books: The Language of Letting Go, Meditations, & The President’s Devotional (see below for links). Each one is for different areas of my life- relational, personal, and spiritual growth. I then either go for a run, ruck, or do a kettlebell workout. Sometimes it may be going to a local Boot Camp workout with some friends.
It also changes my evening ritual & routine — earlier time in bed, pleasure reading, and intentional conversation & daily rundown with the Mrs). In the evenings, it’s a cup of tea or a dirty martini and my latest read - which is currently Disciples by Douglas Waller (review coming shortly).
These small changes help me to stay with my feet planted on the fertile ground of reality so that I can work on goals towards my dreams. It also helps me to take care of myself as a man and husband and father and, most importantly, human.
Apologies for the somewhat off topic post of this space but, for me at least, being around & viewing images of violence and horror around the world daily, along with reading the same from the past, requires intentional self care to keep from sinking into a dark place or from becoming detached from the world around you.
Books Mentioned:
The Language of Letting Go Journal - Melody Beattie
The President’s Devotional - Joshua Dubois
Disciples: The WWII Missions of the CIA Directors Who Fought for Wild Bill Donovan - Douglas Waller