For as long as I can remember, I have used Emerson’s quote as an excuse to not have any kind of routine. Who wants to be a hobgoblin? More importantly, who wants to have a little mind? Yeah, not me. So, off I’ve gone on my merry life of inconsistency, content to have a not-so-little mind completely devoid of hobgoblins.
Two things are wrong with this approach:
1. Hobgoblins are defined as mischievous, impish sprites. They actually don’t sound too bad. And, I think I have at least two living with me. They answer to the names of Gracie and Abigail (and possibly Honey and Midnight)
2. As I have done more often than I’d care to admit, I ignored one key word of the quote. That word is “foolish”. It changes everything. Emerson isn’t saying that ALL consistency is bad, just FOOLISH consistency. I’m thinking the quote could read just as easily “a foolish INCONSISTENCY is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. There are some things that I want to do consistently. And that’s not foolish. I want to start my day with a walk. Every. Day. I want to enjoy time with the girls. Every. Day. I want to nourish my body and my spirit and my mind. Every. Day. And I want to write. Every. Day. I don’t think that makes my mind little or fills my life with hobgoblins – although a hobgoblin here and there might actually make life more interesting.
I decided to try out this new approach to routine this summer. Mainly because summer around here is a little more relaxed and I don’t feel so confined by the commitments and responsibilities we have during the school year. Can I write every day of the summer? Walk every day of the summer? Play every day of the summer? Maybe; maybe not. But, it would be foolish not to try!