Every morning I wake up and go to the living room to meditate. On my way, I get the coffee ready and take some herbs, then wash my hands and face to remind myself that safety in these days of the pandemic is something I must always be aware of. After I meditate, I set my intent for the day, the sit down with my coffee to see what’s happening online. Then, I usually go for a walk before settling in to my day.

I’ve been doing most of this routine for years, and have added the cleaning and a special intent for the past 4 months.  These steps don’t take long, but they make a big difference to the flow of my day, and to how I meet that flow.

This routine has become a ritual. Sometimes I skip part or all of it. If it’s for a good reason that makes it impossible to do my morning ritual, and that only happens periodically, there’s no harm done. If it’s out of laziness, then it negatively impacts my whole day, and by the end of the day, I’m feeling off. Unbalanced.

This morning ritual gets me moving; it adds structure to my day and is something I welcome.  I miss it, both emotionally and spiritually, when I don’t do it. It helps define my day and move me in a good direction.

There are other rituals – rites of passage, blessings, superstitions, that we all do – knowingly or not, every day. All of them add meaning to our lives, even if in tiny ways.

If you’re feeling down, depressed, directionless, or simply unmotivated, try adding your own personal ritual to the morning, every day. And within a few months, see how your day feels different.

 

The healing power of rituals and routines

 

Quote of the Week 

“A solid routine fosters a well-worn groove for one’s mental energies and helps stave off the tyranny of moods.”
― Mason Currey

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Maryanne