Do you want to slow down and give more meaning to your life? Rituals help us take time to stop and appreciate each moment.
We go through many rituals throughout the day; going for a walk, making a cup of tea, preparing meals. We mostly perform these tasks absentmindedly, thinking about the next appointment or those dishes that need to be done.
The only missing ingredients that will turn these simple acts into meaningful rituals are mindfulness and intention.
Mindfulness and intention just mean thinking about what you are doing, why you are doing it and what you hope to achieve.
For example we may rush about making dinner meanwhile thinking about getting to the gym before it gets too late.
To transform this into a meaningful ritual may simply require you take a deep breath to begin, think about the meal you are about to create, the people you are going to nurture and nourish (even if it is just yourself) and that your outcome is to create a loving, tasty and nourishing experience. Say "thank you" at the end of the meal to signal the end of the ritual.
A ritual has a beginning and an end The beginning could be marked by a few deep breaths, lighting of a candle, playing music or inhaling a scent. The end could be signaled by blowing out a candle, saying 'thank you' or taking a deep breath.
A ritual can involve an altar An altar can be a beautiful addition to your home acknowledging a higher power that guides your life. It can be as simple as a cleared shelf with your favorite objects. A bowl of water, photos, flowers, stones, crystals, candles or objects that bring you comfort. You can change it regularly to bring in new energy.
Two rituals that can bring a surprising amount of calm and purpose to your day are a morning ritual and a bedtime ritual
Morning Ritual
After your morning exercise, meditation or breakfast take a moment to go to your altar or even a window, bringing with you a warm bowl of water with a few drops of an essential oil. Citrus is a great energizer or even slices of orange or lemon. Inhale deeply 3 times the scent from the bowl. Take notice of how calm you feel. Think about the fact that you can call upon this calm feeling at anytime during the day if you need to. Take another 3 deep breaths of the scented water.
Bedtime Ritual
Light a candle beside your bed. Add 2 drops of lavender to your pillow or a small piece of cloth. You may even like to play some soothing music. Take a notebook/ journal and a pen. Take 3 deep breaths to center yourself and write down 5 things that you are most grateful for in your life right now. Focus on that feeling of gratitude. When you are done take another deep breath and let it out with a long sigh. Blow out your candle. Put your head down and rest easily knowing that you are letting today go.
Rituals truly bring comfort, expand your mind and deepen your experience of life. You can use them to bring more of whatever you want in life because what you focus on expands.
In love, light and bliss,
Kellie
www.spa-living-for-health.com
