Tiny Rituals of Joy for When the World is Burning.
Turn towards suffering, your own and others, tend to the reality that people are being disappeared, nuclear threats are becoming more present every day, billionaires are getting richer as income inequality increases AND tend to your open, compassionate heart.
Build into your day, your life, tiny rituals of joy that fortify, nourish and replenish you to be here fully in these times.
Rituals shape and bring meaning to life.
Here Are Some Of Mine:
- Start the day with a solid cup of coffee- once a week, I enjoy a dark roast specialty, grinding the beans, using a French Press, the process a lovely ritual that includes the delicious bitter smell of dark roast coffee.
- Surya Namaskar- Greeting the sun through movement and breath, rooted in gratitude for the gift of this day. One is sufficient.
- Read Poetry-David Whyte, Mary Oliver, RUMI, Hafiz, Kabir, Nikita Gill, etc,
- Get outside. I am limited in my mobility currently. Typically, I walk in a city park with lots of trees. These days, I drive and sit by the river or by trees and listen to birdsong, the scampering of squirrels and chipmunks ,the rustling of wind in the trees.
- I begin and end each day with my bullet journal, creating rhythm and order to my day, bookending with a AM and PM reflection.
- Pet a dog (or cat- me, I am solidly a dog person).
- Spend time with people who love listening/deep conversations and extra bonus if they are also funny.
- Meditation – 2 short practices twice a day.
- Somatic release-stretch and shake several times a day.
- Restorative Yoga- combined with meditation-2 short practices twice a day.
Going through the motions, these can be mundane. If we create space and a container, they can also be magic.
Even in these times, even with so much suffering, engaging in practices with intention, that give us glimpses of our true nature can serve to ground us in the fierce kindness, compassion and discernment needed for these times.
