This whole idea of rituals still has me captivated. As I’ve begun to look at my life and the lives of others, I’ve started to notice rituals large and small that soothe and inspire us by giving our souls a place to rest and take stock.
For example, I love Sunday mornings. And the rituals I love most don’t involve church – at least not exactly. I love getting up early on Sundays and then puttering the morning away. This puttering often includes time in the garden, reading and cooking. I often make myself an elaborate breakfast – something I’d never have time for during the week – or cook ahead for the week.
This summer has been very busy with travel and I haven’t had a Sunday like that in ages. But this morning, I got one. And it did not disappoint. After a walk in the crisp air (hello autumn!), I got busy in the kitchen.
(I would show you the breakfast burrito I made myself too, but I devoured it whole before I thought to take a picture.)
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This ritual grounds me in my home. My kitchen becomes more than just the place I charge my cell phone. I watch the light change as the sun comes up and warms the house. I water and prune my indoor plants, a ritual unto itself. Today, the windows were wide open and I listened to the sounds of birds and squirrels and the neighborhood children.
Now, to the last part of the ritual – reading for a while before heading off the church and the rest of a busy Sunday. (Go Pack Go!) I’m not sure I’ll ever get the whole “Sabbath” thing right, but this ritual – when I perform it – does a whole lot to restore my balance.
Photos taken with iPhone and doctored up with Instagram filters.