Gimme a C…or Two

“So I turned myself to face me
But I’ve never caught a glimpse”
–David Bowie, Changes

In the last month, I completed the final exam in a multi-part certification, a new school year started for the kids, and graduate school began for me. Add to that, the first week of the month I was on the road, and this week I learned of an unexpected job change.

Changes.

While some of these events were a surprise, most of them were planned, and I was challenged by a gauntlet of activity. Nothing unique here. Everyone is busy. The question is how to stay true to ourselves in the face of wearisome circumstances?

There were two words that kept coming up for me this month — covenant and consistency.

A covenant is a promise. It’s a commitment to behave in a defined manner.

When we think about behavior, habits are behaviors as well. If it is our habit to behave a certain way towards others, what is the point of a covenant? A covenant speaks to our intent. It is more than muscle memory driving us, it is a conscious promise.

We make covenants with others, but there are some fundamental covenants that we must first make to ourselves. For instance, I have some friends who talk about being in the “no matter what” club. This means they have entered into a covenant with themselves that they will stay true to their goals unconditionally regardless of changing circumstances. No matter what.

This brings me two the second word, consistency.

I am a routine-driven person. I thrive on it. Part of what I like about a routine is that once I build-in my priorities, I don’t have to think about if I am honoring them or making progress towards them. I follow my routine and get the benefit. Progress is made.

Being consistent helps me. It provides clarity in relationships, keeps me to an exercise regimen, and even gets me to bed at a reasonable hour.

When these two things are in place: a covenant with myself to stay true to what is important to me and the consistency in my actions to make it happen, I am less likely to be distracted or fall victim to unexpected changes in my circumstances. It is a gift I can give to myself.

Thinking of the months ahead, I am a little worn out and a lot grateful.

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