Repetition

“Repetition is the mother of all learning.” This is a quote by spiritual formation teacher and author, Lacy Borgo that was shared with me recently by a wise person in my life.

“Repetition is the mother of all learning.”

We go round and round with ourselves, in the same patterns of reactivity to uncertainty and things beyond our control. Patterns of fear, anxiety or anger can take over as we had hoped for a different outcome to plans and dreams. Tension in our bodies and relationships are a result. We often repeat these patterns until we can’t ignore it any longer.

Just as an athlete uses repetition in a weight room to gain strength or a runner breaks training distances into smaller, more manageable parts and repeats those parts to improve overall speed, repetition teaches us, challenges us and grows us.

Repetition can also show us what needs to change. 

When it comes to situations that cause emotions such fear, anxiety or anger, there are questions we can ask ourselves in order to process what is happening inside.

What kind of person do I want to be in response to this situation?

What am I showing others about myself as I move through my disappointment?

If you are on the receiving end of someone who is learning about repetitive patterns, ask yourself what kind of a person you want to be for others. Practice your own methods of repetition, those of kindness, good listening, boundaries, prayer, grace.

Allow God to guide you as repetition is teaching you about yourself and the world around you.

Grace and Peace.