Creativity and Productivity: Routine vs Ritual
I am blessed with an incredible support system. I say this first, because I have set the intention for this year to be creative, productive, and to make a difference. In keeping with the theme of time as 2021 is now a three day old reality(my checks still say 2020 if I do not think for a minute(and yes I still write paper checks)), I have been sifting my way through various systems to both increase my productivity and to deepen my creativity resources not only for my own personal work, but also for my classes in both art history and stitch and dye.
I received a text this morning reminding me that a daily morning routine is invaluable. Which I know it is. My sticking point on this is that in my world, which includes an old house, a partner with health problems, and myriad other “in the world” distractions, often I can’t do a routine at a certain, set time.
So what is time anyway? Quick Oxford search gives me a simplified definition: “the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present and future regarded as a whole” ( and then adds approximately 30 other definitions as well). I must reread Stephen Hawking, when I have time. But then, this morning, I read an article here, and I quote:
“The difference between a routine and a ritual is the attitude behind the action. While routines can be actions that need to be done, rituals are viewed as more meaningful practices with a real sense of purpose.”-Fab Giovanetti
I tend the fire for a small group that does an inipi ritual. I tend the fire. The stones are called grandfathers, and they go into the fire, and are heated to heat the lodge. This ritual takes as much time as it takes. The relevance here is that we have a saying, “lodge time”, meaning that there is no time, once we begin. We have not been able to do this since the pandemic; during 2020, we did not do it at all, because we planned the first one for March.
I realized this morning, looking at the grandfathers I have collected at the base of the big tree in my yard, that ritual is out of time and that I can apply this principle to my “morning routine”. I can block out whatever tasks are necessary to be done, and then set time to do my walk, my creativity meditation, my future casting for the day, and my time blocking for the rest of the day.
As I write this, it is noon my time. This morning I have done household chores, put away Christmas items, taken the first of my three daily walks
(there will not be only one until physical therapy says so), and spent an hour on learning digital programs. I have seven working hours left in this day. Plenty of time.
