This title comes from a friend who was relating his ‘philosophy’. He has a habit that he employs each morning (how his title relates his habit, I have no idea). Paraphrasing and with apologies to Erv – my understanding… each morning as he sets out for work, he rolls the window of his car down just a bit and says, “OK , Satan get out.” And then he ‘turns’ and says – “OK Lord, now it’s you and me today.” This thinking and action appeals to me. It’s intentional, habitual, and an observable action that puts philosophy into action rather than mere words or thoughts.
I believe the point is that he is focusing his attention, his attitude as he begins his day. How many of us begin with such a mindset of intentionality? Do we stop and purposefully begin our day? Or do we simply… get up and begin, albeit unthinkingly? This is not criticism, it’s our ‘habit’ – which is the point. A habit is something that we repetitively do, but it is learned behavior (at least in my world of definitions).
We tend to do (and not do) those ‘things’ that we have learned are effective for us. Webster says that a habit is ‘a usual way of behaving’. However, I believe it’s important to not act mindlessly, but to consider our ‘usual way of behaving’ in a variety of areas because our ‘usual’ always needs refining and revising depending on the people and issues. Our ‘habit’ may need eliminating which is always difficult or become more intentional so we ‘apply’ it correctly.
Habits are our way of interacting in a kind of multi-tasking methodology. Many times these habits really are our best way of responding but we should never apply a ‘cement’ approach to people, issues, life. People don’t always respond in the manner we think they will – yes, we do rely on our understanding of their habits. But what happens when they don’t? Perhaps this is when the phrase, chasing the rabbit, is in evidence? When life isn’t precisely like we think it will be then we need to quickly adapt (and adopt?) to new information and behavior.
