What comes to mind when you think of a ritual?

For me, it’s a time set out to overcome, embrace, and grow. Our ancestors also come to mind. Villages hosting festivals for the people. Cultures fasting together to cleanse the body and soul. Creating a movement, or dance, to overcome an emotional burden. Across history cultures would host these rituals to help “better” their people. To release the tensions of everyday life. A second chance.

Now let's think about modern time rituals….

Modern times have let the ideals of rituals dwindle. It is now, in the hands of the individual. It's all now “ Do it on your own time” type of attitude. Rituals are no longer in the hands of the governments. It's a personal endeavor. And that's fine. So let’s make sure you are taking the initiative, in your daily life, to create rituals.

What can we do to bring back the joyfulness of rituals into our daily lives? What are you doing to help release the burden of the work/money dynamics of our modern society?

Personally, I try to create my days around small rituals. It keeps me sane. As it keeps me sane, it also helps me open my mind and provide room for personal growth.

We don’t have to have a huge society gather to create a ritual. Bringing it to the individual means that the meaning behind the ritual, can be on a level that you are ready to uncover.

For example, before bed I prepare myself a cup of tea. This cup of tea sometimes is accompanied by yoga, but that's not what I hold importance too.

I know that when I have this cup of tea it's time to reflect in stillness. To be present with myself. I take in the flavors of the tea, the smells, and the way my body feels after drinking it. This puts me into my body and out of my head. Work can sometimes keep us in our minds and cause stress. So we need to start finding release from these moments. Finding things that remind us we are grateful for our existence.

I try to not let anything interrupt this time, no phone, no to do list. Just the tea and me.

As I relax, I become aware of the tensions in my body. The moments throughout the day that brought me anxiety. I think about those moments and I let them settle, then I release them. Bringing awareness to what brings me anxiety or anger in these moments, helps me understand myself more deeply.

I am not letting those emotions sit in my body unacknowledged. The ritual allows me to release, daily. Anything that comes up in these moments I do not judge or fear. I have an outside perspective on. I am kind with myself and I allow myself to learn.

Herbal tea is healing to the body, mind, and spirit.

Questions to ask yourself during times of negative emotions (For daily rituals)

What is it about that situation that made me so anxious? Why is it so important? Could I have communicated better?
Why did I react out of fear or anger doing that situation? Why is that important? Was it really the other person or myself causing the anger?
Why was I embarrassed after that situation? Why is that important?
Why did I pass that judgment? What was I projecting onto that person?

Rituals are not always to sit with negative emotions or moments. Negative reactions have an important lesson to teach, but so do positive.

Positive emotions should be recognized to help you to build memory in your body of these feelings. Being able to fill your body with positivity such as love, gratitude, and joy you will enter into a higher vibration. Which is contagious.

Positive emotions or situations seem to be more fleeting in our minds. We don’t hold on to them as tightly. This is where practicing gratitude comes in. Creating a ritual to remind yourself of how far you have come, and what all you have achieved.

In my tea ritual joy, and gratitude usually come after I have digested the negative. Personally, I address the negative first because I want to learn from it. I end with grateful moments and intentions because it helps me settle into who I truly am, and leaves me with the feeling of joy. I forgive myself for things I don't identify with, and I know don’t serve my greater good, and I fill myself with love and joy. Forgiveness and trust are so important in developing self love and growth.

Questions to ask yourself to fill your self with joy and gratitude (For daily rituals)

What tasks were you proud of attending to today? Why did these make you so proud?
As you settle into your home, how have you made this space your own? Why do you choose these items to fill your home?
Bring into awareness your loved ones, and why you cherish them. How have they impacted your life? How have you impacted theirs? Why is this so important?
What actions small or big have you taken to spread love and laughter today? How did those make you feel? Do you remember what your body felt like?

These answers will help you gather information about yourself that builds self awareness and confidence. We all have moments of fear and being overwhelmed. It’s about how we bounce back to joy and calmness in our bodies. Figure out what questions you need to ask yourself to bring you back to these moments. Remind yourself to breathe and check into your body and how it is feeling.

Once you begin to become familiar with how your emotions enter your body and their impact, it will become easier to ground yourself. You will find small rituals and large ones to bounce you back. It won't always be perfect, but that's okay. Some feelings are way stronger than others and deserve more time to heal.

** Be kind to your reactions, there are no right or wrong answer. Everything that comes up is personal to you and is there to help you. NO JUDGEMENT. NO EXPECTATIONS. ***

A small ritual I know a lot of spiritual people use, is to put your hand on your heart and breath deeply. This helps you to enter into your body, out of your mind, and ground. It’s a small action to help emotions to overcome you. I like to use it in times, where I am not in my ideal space, i.e. Work.

After reading all that, has anything come to mind? Do you have these rituals and never really noticed what you were doing for yourself?

Other examples of rituals I have found helpful

Grounding- putting my bare feet to the ground for several moments. Being away of nature in the present moment.
Lighting candles helps bring awareness to my senses while in stillness- gets me out of my head and into my body.
Eating what I was craving that day, it's a weird one, but allowing yourself to indulge a little, brings trust into yourself, and well, all those e n d o r p h i n s.
Dancing- oh this is a good one.
Journaling- This helps you make your thoughts and emotions tangible. You start to enter into your heart space and become more authentic.

The list could go on and on really. Just finding small actions to help you embrace yourself. Actions to help you get out of a numb state. Stop having limited thoughts on emotions. They serve a purpose, and you do not need to identify so heavily on one or another. Everything is fleeting. It will come, and go, and come back again. Be at peace with this.

If this all feels silly, well maybe it is, but you need to get past that. You need to put in the work and really want to find out who you are and your souls purpose. Do whatever you have to, to shake off the embarrassment of talking with yourself, because it the best thing you can do for yourself. <3

I do want to remind you, that this is for daily rituals to help you build a relationship with yourself. This is not a cure all. Healing yourself takes time, help, and WORK. I just know these small moments of reflection have helped me so much. It opened doors to more healing.

So be kind to yourself. Find moments to get to know yourself more. You are a strong, and magnificent being. You are more than your emotions. Give your power back to yourself.

(((((I do want to give a shout out to the organizers of Pride Festivals, and Marches to fight for causes. These are examples of rituals that have come from society but not hosted from our main governments like in the past, it is from the people.)))