Habit - an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. It seems simple enough. If I JUST DO IT enough times for it to become a pattern I’ve formed a new habit.
Ohhh wait! I have to do it for at least 21 days in a row.
If I do it 21 days in a row and form a habit does that make me an addict?

If I ride a horse or become a Nun I would be clothed in a habit.

In a habit = Inhabit

Inhabit and Habit come from the same Latin root habitare meaning to dwell in, or dwelling place.

I once heard Oprah say when she returned from visiting remote African villages she realized the value of clean water so she started turning the water off while she brushed her teeth. (my paraphrase).

Thanks to my Dad, I formed a water saving habit as I was growing up, because water costs money. It’s a habit that dwells in me that has helped me come to recognize water as the valuable resource it is. I’ve always turned the water off while brushing my teeth.

Habitat also comes from the same Latin root. Our dwelling place. Where we live.

The theme of the 5% Winter Challenge is Consistency. The Blogging theme for this week is forming new habits.

My hope for 2012 is to form habits that become my natural habitat. May the healthy choices I consistently make dwell within me, and not be casual stopping places that I continually move from.

My hope for all of you is the same.