Treat #69
: Over and Over Again with Delight
On a plane home from Toronto I had the treat and honor of holding a 14 month old baby girl (Ruby) while her parents took a nap. They were facing a 30 hour flying adventure and I offered to give them a break and keep her occupied. I was completely selfish in offering as I love holding and being with babies and kids because they live in the present and I learn so much.
Our time together consisted of Ruby sitting in my lap and pointing to what she wanted next. I lost count of how many times we read the four magazines in the seat pocket in front of us. (I forgot to get her toys from her parents.) I would put each book back as we completed and she would sometimes point to the same one and I would take it out and we would go through the process again and again and again.
Children are infamous for wanting to repeat things over and over. They never seem to get bored while those who are with them sometimes get tired of it.
What I noticed was her complete patience and enjoyment of the process. Everything she touched was new to her as if seeing it for the very first time. People often ask me how to get more engaged with their In-box processing. Being with Ruby I experienced the answer; delight in what you are seeing and enjoy the process.
Watching her single-minded focus “over and over” was actually calming.
It reminded me of the importance of repetition in learning. I repeat with my clients Ctrl Shift K, Ctrl D and Ctrl Shift V over and over. After two days of endless repetition the key strokes are engrained as a habit.
Repetitions are what build muscle in lifting weights.
Repetition of the Weekly Review over time builds relaxation into the system.
My Pilates teacher and I repeat the same movement week after week until I eventually feel that my arm extends from my back and not my shoulder.
I marvel at the skateboarders in my neighborhood who do the most amazing turns. I see them practicing them over and over.
I believe the magic ingredient in repeating is the enjoyment of doing it again and again, pretending it is the very first time.
Doing with delight over and over and over again engages us all.
Martha Invitations
1. The next time you pick up something that you have picked up a hundred times before, do it as if you have never seen it before.
2. If you are practicing something check to see if your joy is included.
3. When you do your next Weekly Review approach it as a brand new process.
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