2319: Change

A big theme for me this year has been consistency in times of change; consistency in routines and in relationships. It’s a simple idea, but one that has taken on more weight as I enter a transitional period of life. Over the next six months, a lot will change. Medical school is right around the corner, and with it comes a reshaping of how my days will look and feel. What gives me pause isn’t the workload itself, but the routines I may have to temporarily set aside as I adjust to studying day in and day out. At the same time, this is the moment I’ve worked toward for most of my life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Because of that, consistency has become an anchor rather than a restriction. Some habits will change form, but they won’t disappear. Running half marathons, for example, won’t happen with the same frequency once school begins in the fall, and that’s okay. Instead of chasing races, the focus will shift to maintaining a consistent weekly mileage—something measurable, flexible, and sustainable. It gives me a goal to work toward and a sense of accountability even during busy weeks. Strength training, on the other hand, remains non-negotiable. I’ve lifted regularly since high school, and that habit has proven to be one of the most reliable constants in my life.

Sleep is another area where consistency has become less optional and more essential. In my family, it’s a running joke that we can fall asleep anywhere at any time, and I’m fortunate that sleep has never been difficult for me. The challenge has never been falling asleep; it’s been committing to a routine. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve felt every consequence of inconsistent rest. Whether I function best on seven hours or nine is still something I’m experimenting with, but treating sleep as a priority rather than an afterthought is a commitment I’m intentionally working toward.

Recently, I listened to an episode of the On Purpose podcast where Jay Shetty interviewed Matthew McConaughey, and the conversation held my attention from start to finish. One idea in particular stood out—why you’re exactly where you need to be. Matthew spoke about moments from the past that once felt embarrassing or uncomfortable, moments where you took a risk or leaned fully into an opportunity. He reframed those experiences not as regrets, but as proof that you showed up when it mattered. There’s a certain peace that comes from knowing you didn’t hold back.

They also discussed how different cultures view time, and that perspective stayed with me. In the Western worldview, time is often seen as linear, where mistakes feel like steps backward and failures carry a sense of punishment. In contrast, many Eastern worldviews see time as cyclical. Failure isn’t a detour from progress; it’s part of the process itself. Growth isn’t interrupted by setbacks—it’s shaped by them.

That distinction feels especially relevant in this season. Consistency doesn’t mean perfection, and it doesn’t require everything to stay the same. It means staying engaged in the cycle, showing up again, and trusting that progress is still happening even when the path looks different than expected. As life begins to move faster, learning how to stay steady may be the most important habit of all.

Peace,

Zechariah Davis

🎵 Song of the Week

"Change" - J. Cole

🗣 Quote of the Week

📖 Scripture of the Week

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