THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS: ROUTINES

Routines are human nature.
Why not create some that will mint Gold?
— Hafiz, fourteenth-century Persian poet

"Someone once asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 'If you only had one word to describe the secret of happiness, and of living a fulfilling and meaningful life, what would that word be?' Without hesitating the Dalai Lama replied, 'Routines.'

"A routine is something that we do regularly, without questioning or planning. Once established, routines require little effort, tracking, or decision making; by definition they become a consistent part of our lives. Routines are ways of doing that don't require much conscious 'doing.' This is what makes routines such powerful levers for supporting behaviors, whether positive or negative.

"As with distractions, our routines can help us or impede us, increase our focus and effectiveness or increase our distractedness. The best routines include those positive distractions we've already discussed — meditation, mindfulness, stress breaks, and so on. Positive routines also include all the other things we can do to balance our lives: exercising to refresh our bodies, talking with those we love, reading, going on retreats. These are activities that refresh and energize.

"Positive routines are built to exclude severe distractions — the overstimulation and overexertion, without respite, or relief, that can lead to anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, and a real lack of focus.

"Why is this? Why would the Dalai Lama answer 'routines' as an essential element on the path toward happiness and meaning? In what way do routines reduce 'drag' and 'resistance' and create ease, meaning, and a deeper sense of accomplishment?

"Several answers come to mind, some of which we will examine in more depth:

• "We all have routines; why not create positive ones?
• "Routines are the way of nature (and we are part of nature . . .).
• "Routines connect us to something larger than ourselves.
• "Paradoxically, through the structures provided by routines, we can develop flexibility because our minds are so much clearer and our bodies more refreshed.
• "Routines can support personal growth and the transformation of old, unwanted patterns."