I was thinking the other day about how all living beings are creatures of habit.

I remember, as a kid, bringing the cows in for milking. We would open the back door of the barn, and most of those cows would head right for their stall. There were 30 or 40 cows, but each knew which stall was theirs.

That always amazed me, as cows, in many other ways, could be very stubborn. But, they were “creatures of habit” when it came to the stall that they called “home.”

Then, I thought of our dogs. I am the first one up in the morning–probably a throw-back to those early days when I was milking cows. At any rate, the dogs wait for me to get dressed and organized. Then they go out for their morning business, followed by coming back in, jumping in the car and heading for Hogan’s Hut to get the paper.

Every morning it is like clockwork. They never deviate. Creatures of habit–and it is something they look forward to.

Then, of course, I think of myself. Humans, perhaps more than any other living species, are creatures of habit.

I go to bed at night at about the same time (early,) and then am up early in the morning. Then I like to read the paper with my first cup of coffee and then head for the office–stopping usually at Tim Horton’s for another coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the way.

I am not sure it is a good habit, but it is a fulfilling one. It gets me started right for the day. Then, about mid-day, I am home to pick up the mail, have lunch, and then get in my easy chair for a nap. It is almost like clockwork.

There are, of course, habits not as good and which are hard to break. Think about smokers trying to stop…that is tough. One of the habits I need to break is the passion that I have in the middle of the afternoon for potato chips. Oh, do they taste good–especially, the ones flavored with sour cream and onion!

I say, as justification, that it is my way of getting my dairy and veggies for the day…the sour cream and onions. But, let’s face it–that is just a ruse, an excuse. If I want to keep my weight under control, I have to stop putting food in my face between meals. Chips in the afternoon is a bad habit, at least for me.

The bottom line, I guess, is that we are all creatures of habit. The key to success is in reinforcing the good habits, and trying to diminish, if not extinguish, the bad ones.

It is a continual battle and likely to never go away.

Yet, it is a battle worth the effort. Good habits, predictability in life, are a part of what it means to be human.

Apparently, habits are also good for animals. Our dogs, as for those cows coming in for milking, seem to be happiest when their habits are well formed and are a constant in their daily lives.

Another habit I have is writing a weekly article, and for those who read it–thanks for your habit–it keeps me going.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.