Live everyday life in extraordinary ways

What's new in your life?

Maybe you recently received a new job and are basking in the excitement of the thought of more money, new opportunity or change of pace.

Maybe your family has experienced the recent joy of a newborn baby, a new puppy or you've become a newlywed. Perhaps you've recently remodeled your home. Getting a fresh new makeover can bring a breath of freshness to a stale life. Vacationing abroad or buying new clothes can lift our spirit as well.

All these things are great and nice. Life in the fast lane of change and excitement can keep us charged up and energized. However, it is only temporary. Eventually the newness wears off and, when it does, oftentimes we find we have gone from living in the fast lane to experiencing the everyday, ordinary and mundane.

The familiar can seen rather boring and monotonous. Doing the same household chores and following the same daily grind can get tiring. Looking at the same scenery day after loses its appeal to our senses. Just as loaf of bread can become moldy and stale if not properly taken care of, life can appear to be that way if we don't take charge of it.

Although there's nothing wrong with a daily routine, when it becomes a rut, then it's time to get creative and look for some simple changes.

Driving a new route to work, if possible, could bring a change of scenery. Playing some music while doing a chore could help pep us up. Taking a time out to marvel at God's handiwork that surrounds us can bring a moment of refreshment.

Rearranging our schedule whenever we can, such as changing the store we shop at, trying a new dish, or reorganizing our daily tasks can help. Changing our break time could create a change of pace.

I deal with some physical limitations that cause my life to be very routine. I look for ways to bring some refreshment. For me, reading a new book, listening to a CD, or a phone call with a friend can break up my daily monotony.

I believe God created life with some routine built in it, but I also think he expects us to live ordinary life creatively. Let's pray for little ingenuity to enjoy ordinary living.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak at your event, conference or group meeting. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.