Cups of Joe and Life Rhythms

In this season of my life, I have little that remains the same from year to year, or sometimes even from week to week. In many ways, I like living like this. I have a natural tendency to begin daydreaming about what's the next big thing soon after I start a new project or activity. I like mixing things up. But, at the same time, I highly value consistency. I consider myself a loyal person and I seek consistent things and people to root and ground myself in.

This summer I created goals and on the list, between "become a morning person, again" and "create a doable budget" was: "foster rhythms for my life".

Rhythms and routines are important. Just ask any elementary teacher and they can vouch for the [greater level of] insanity they would have without their daily schedule. Physically, our bodies naturally operate out of cycles and rhythms, such as the circadian rhythm that so many of my peers try to ignore. Spiritually, my Christian ancestors created things such as the Christian calendar and Liturgy of the Hours because they knew the value of rhythms.

Once spring classes were done, I began to think more about already-created rhythms and ones which I would like to adopt or create in my life. In Georgia, these times of deep thought often happened in the shelter of a screen porch, with coffee in hand. In Iowa, these times happened at a kitchen table, with a coffee in hand. In each state I've been to this summer, much quiet time has happened for me with, you guessed it, a good 'ole cup 'o Joe.

Without realizing it, morning coffee had become a key ritual in my mornings, usually partnered with my Bible and journal. In many ways, coffee has helped me create a sacred space of inner quietude in the mornings, before the day fully begins. Mornings can set the tone for the rest of the day--hence one reason why I want to re-become a morning person like I was before college.

You might call it an addiction, but I stand by my choice of calling it a ritual, a rhythm in my day. And a delicious rhythm, at that.

In peace, and with coffee at an arm's distance,
Christina