Karetai Road runs through fields and alongside a cliff on the Otago peninsula. It starts as a country road but soon becomes a rough clay track, heavily furrowed by farm vehicles. You have to take care when mountain biking not to get stuck in the wrong furrow. Some of them are so deep they will get involved with your pedals and make things complicated.
For me, life is a bit like this. I like things to be regular and samey. Rarely changing things without a clear reason. And because of this I have to take care which furrows I fall into. I have to look ahead and see where the furrow leads and how deep it will get.
In the convent we had a retreat day once a month. Effectively a quick check of your furrows. And once a year a week’s retreat. Stop, check and set a good course for the next year. In many jobs there are similar processes: status reviews, line management meetings, etc.
It is a useful tool and one I would like to implement in my own life. One day every once in a while to take myself offline, use the time to check my furrows and prevent future complications.
Katherine Wansink Writes 