Good Habits: Another reason why the "Mormon" church is true

I believe in habits. My life is run by them, good and bad. I love routine and a schedule. That's why I'm loving the book, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. The book discusses that when you put a keystone habit into place, the rest of your life falls into place. Here's one of my favorite sections of the book so far. "When people start habitually exercising, even as infrequently as once a week, they start changing other, unrelated patterns in their lives, often unknowingly. Typically, people who exercise start eating better and becoming more productive at work. They smoke less and show more patience with colleagues and family...It's not completely clear why. But for many people, exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread change...Studies have documented that families who habitually eat dinner together seem to raise children with better homework skills, higher grades, greater emotional control, and more confidence. Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget. It's not that a family meal or a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold" (pg. 109).

Of course I read the section about making your bed to my children. They still don't get it. But I do. And so does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The answer to almost every question in a church class is pray, read your scriptures, and have Family Home Evening. Those are the habits we are encouraged to develop. When regular prayer, scripture study, and time together as a family are made part of our routine, the rest of our lives fall into place. I know that my days are better when I begin and end with prayer. I know I am uplifted spiritually when I read my scriptures. I don't make my bed until I've said my morning prayer and read my scriptures. My morning doesn't feel complete without my bed made. And yes, I am good at sticking to a budget. Leaving their beds unmade to remind them to read their scriptures and say their prayers doesn't work for my children, because they don't care about making their beds. Does that mean they will fail at budgeting? I don't know. Are habits and routines necessary for everyone? What do you think? Am I loving this book because I'm naturally drawn to structure and routine? Because that's how my brain and spirit operate? Is it a universal truth? Can others thrive with spontaneity and non-structure?

Whatever your opinion about the necessity of structure, routine, and order, be sure you begin and end your day with prayer. The rest will fall into place.