Rituals

Rituals: 

my day belongs to rituals, mindful actions that support my overall well-being and sense of creativity, with one simply flowing to the next through the course of an entire day. None of these activities takes much time in their performance, most are beneficial in some way, and all of them are joyful, requiring nothing other than my commitment. Granted that I am now self-employed and have more time to give these rituals, yet there are many that I've performed for decades, through full time jobs and care-giving for both my aging parents without a single day missed. These are the acts that lend themselves to a meaningful day, they actually help provide a greater sense of freedom within their given restraints, erasing boundaries between inspiration and the life I wish to live. 

each mindful act is a devotion of its own. 

strung throughout my day. 

again, this is for my overall well-being, and I find joy in the effort that some require. Early morning yoga, just before the hint of sun, and I move my body through salutations to its rise. This often takes a round or more before muscles loosen and I achieve a flow of easy movement and gentle stretching, especially so on cold winter mornings. But yoga is a ritual that returns its favor though greater ease of motion through the day, I am better for my commitment, sitting longer in meditation, and with comfort at my desk for the writing time that follows. 

one ritual always flows directly to the next. 

what makes these rituals is really just a mindful notice, I give them my attention, a nod of appreciation for their enrichment of my life. That's really the only difference between performing a daily habit and having a ritual by design. My dental care is an example, that it's now a practice of its own, bringing a mindfulness to its details, adding things that might provide protection such as oil pulling and tongue scraping, both ancient Ayurvedic methods of caring for the teeth, gums, and overall health. Even preparing for sleep is a practice that begins the moment I arise each moment, cultivating acts that will aid me in the ending of the day. Getting outside with first light, walking and being embraced by nature, regardless of weather or more so, joyful through whatever the new day offers - this is preparation for hours later, a hormonal response now that carries an important action for the night. 

each ritual in relation to another. 

once more, this is all joyful, none of this a chore, and I experiment and explore the impact of everyone of them, changing, adding others, or dismissing some that no longer seem to serve. Everything works in benefit of the other and throughout their performance my life flows in curiosity and wonder. All of this serves me in some way, even if just a momentary joy, they each fulfill my day, offering me the means of a creative and truly happy lifestyle. 

my days belongs to rituals, small devotions...

and so my life unfolds. 

~

Peace, Eric