Saint Benedict’s Rule is a long manuscript that sort of became the gold standard on monasticism in the Catholic tradition. The guidelines by which monks should live. I have actually read parts of it, very interesting and very boring all at the same time. Very curious, however, that the book attempts to solve a very real problem of the committed person. How do you get your commitments, the things you are devoted to everyday done?
Catholic monks are not the only ones that have tackled this problem. Muslims also have guidelines of similar fashion and eastern religious sects also have dealt with this issue. Fascinating really. If you do not know what I am talking about, then try this for a week. Make a list of things you want to get done, in an exact order everyday and try it for seven days and see what happens. You will now know why Saint Benedict dedicated a book to the topic.
There are some benefits of doing things on a regular basis, in order and consistently. You get them done, and you always make time for them. You also do not get distracted from the most important things you have established for yourself. A part of “The Rule” for monks is what is called a liturgy of hours. You see there are certain hours during the day that have been assigned a name and represent certain things that have to happen and are centered around specific prayers. Some are longer, some are shorter – but the point is that the most important thing that needs to be done everyday has a dedicated time period for accomplishing it.
The evening prayer is called Vespers (it has other names, but this is good enough). The image below was my Vespers tonight. Running on a trail run in Boulder, CO. Stopped to contemplate the scenic beauty, my life, my ambitions, my friends and family.
Not sure I am ready to map out a structure to follow everyday of my life, including set things to do in a liturgy of hours. However, there is some value to consider here. Perhaps, I can build into my full day routine things that I can do to make each day more productive. For example, at lunch, I can make sure that I walk around, do a stretching routine, focus on something I am trying to learn. Change up the day a bit, to reduce stress and at the same time accomplish some life time pursuits.
If you have dedicated slots to when you do certain things, you will most likely do them. So perhaps, this living like a monk concept that I am playing with really does have some merit. Is it possible to structure your life in such a way that those small moments scattered throughout the day are filled with productive and life changing activities?
Well, we will not live a life of solitude and peace completely isolated from the world, but perhaps we can borrow the concept of getting important things done at a set time.
Guy Reams
20 Days Left to 1st Marathon
