I recently read about an author who claims people repeat the same patterns over our lives. She feels it’s important to notice those patterns and acknowledge them. I was mildly interested in this idea although not swept up by it, mostly because I think growth and change are more important and interesting.

Nonetheless, I may have stored it subliminally because last night my husband and I were having a conversation and a pattern just leapt out at me, one so obvious and ubiquitous I could not believe I had never marked it. We were talking about TV shows at the time, but the pattern definitely applies to books and many other aspects of us.

My husband approaches the library with a sense of mystery and the expectation of revelation. He walks the aisles and checks out the displays seeking seeking something that sparks his joy. He approaches TV the same way, starting with the homepage of the stream and scrolling through, occasionally watching a trailer, but mostly just jumping in.

I approach the library with a curated list of books I have vetted by reading reviews, mostly, or getting a recommendation; I might also search for a book on a topic of interest, most recently Harriet Tubman’s military contributions to the Civil War. I’m also pretty picky about TV shows, and very reluctant to start one without some research.

I’m very willing to drop a show after one episode, or a book after one chapter, if it’s not working out for me. My husband is much more patient with his finds; he will also drop either a book or a show if it doesn’t work out, but he’ll give it more time then I will.

It would be incorrect to say that my husband never reserves books, or that I never grab something that caught my eye on the Lucky Day table. But this basic pattern of being willing to try unknown paths versus planning the route in advance describes us in many ways, not just content selection.

Happily, we have both absorbed some of the others’ energy over the years: I try to be more spontaneous, and he certainly can plan when it’s useful. Patterns can inspire growth.

And now for something something completely different…we made a video of our robot jar opener today. This is a miraculous device. The music is Inisheer’s version of Jay Unger’s tune Wizard’s Walk, the best one in my view. It’s on Spotify if you want to hear more. Meanwhile my physical therapist recommends this and the robot can opener for protection of everyone’s wrists.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eVQrWZTXXrouHr48A