I awoke to the clanging sound of freezing raindrops hitting the metal gutters outside my window. It couldn’t be morning already. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and reached for my phone. The fact it was morning didn’t really matter because my movement woke my furry bedroom cohabitants. Like it or not, it was time to get up.
Once my bedroom door was open, the usual race between the two dogs to the kitchen door commenced, as did the rush outside to our fenced yard. Within seconds, Dawn, our female dog, returned. Unlike her brother, Smokey, who seems content in any weather, Dawn doesn’t like the rain.
Our day continued as it usually does with breakfast for me, then the dogs, and then the chickens. The chilly trudge out to the chickens in the pelting rain gave me pause about the next item on our agenda — the morning walk. I didn’t want to do it. Surely, with the dark and stormy weather outside, the dogs wouldn’t mind if we skipped our walk.
Back inside, I gingerly walked by the dogs and quietly sat down at my computer to do some work. After several minutes, Dawn came over and stared at me. Then she placed her head on my knee. As I stared at my screen, I pet her, but that wasn’t what she wanted. So she resorted to gently hitting me with her paw. Ugh. This water-adverse canine wanted to go for a walk in the rain. It’s part of her daily routine, and she was letting me know I’d forgotten.
Now, I could have refused the walk. There have been times we’ve skipped our walk because the weather conditions were unsafe, but this wasn’t one of those times. Sure, it was raining, but I have rain gear. I just didn’t feel like going for a walk and the rain was a good excuse to stay inside. I was prioritizing what was easy and comfortable.
After a brief internal battle, I changed my mind. I knew if I pushed myself to go, we’d begin our day on a better note than if we skipped it. A walk wasn’t just good for the dogs; it was good for me and was part of my daily goal to stay active. So, we went, and I felt better for doing so.
It may seem that a small choice in a day filled with many choices doesn’t have much meaning, but even seemingly tiny decisions can have a big impact because each one builds on the next. Pretty soon, you’ve developed a habit. Habits and routines are powerful. They act like stepping stones and can make reaching a desired outcome easier.
Whether it’s the start of a new year, a new month, or simply a new day, it’s always a good time to focus on the habits and routines that help you reach your goals. Some days, you’ll have to push yourself, but when you do, you’ll be one step closer to where you want to be. Be faithful with the little things, and before you know it, you’ll have done something truly amazing.
