It’s All in the Ritual
I have been thinking about rituals alot lately..more so than in the early 90’s whenI first started reading Alexandra Stoddard’s books.
Rituals give us a sense of comfort, luxury, and creativity in our lives…the way we set the table, the fifteen minutes we take for a cup of yunnan gold tea in the afternoon, nibbling on a shortbread cookie and gazing out the window, or catching a few lines in the book we are reading.
Ritual creates memories, as we serve out families the same recipe Christmas cookies that we grew up on, and feel quite sure that our children will serve them to their children.
The thing is that when we get busy the rituals are the first thing to be streamlined out of our lives. We don’t notice it for awhile but pretty soon our days are empty and gray, devoid of the very things that fed and nurtured our hearts and spirits.
Life becomes pragmatic and practical, and very, very dry.
While rituals may seem to be luxury items, frou frou that we can do without, I am not so sure that we can, or are meant to.
Do you have rituals? Has busyness caused you to schedule them out of your life?
Thoughts?
Image:MaryeAudet
Tags: , beauty, creativity, de-stressing, relaxation, relaxing, rituals, simplicity, TeaRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Beautiful Things
8 opinions for It’s All in the Ritual
Heather
Sep 20, 2008 at 11:44 pm
My first morning cup of coffee - poured into a handmade ceramic mug - cream swirled in on top - the trek to the computer to check messages, and that first, oh so yuummy appreciative sniff of coffee and then the first sip of creamy, hot coffee deliciousness. . .Yes, it is my morning ritual.
I have a similar evening one, except it’s tea not coffee, and no cream is involved. :)
Vee~A Haven for Vee
Sep 21, 2008 at 8:54 am
You know, your post got me thinking…that’s a very good thing! I recently served guests in a less than ritualistic way and I just know that I could have created a far better experience for all of us with a little extra attention. Thank you!
Diva
Sep 22, 2008 at 9:40 am
I’ve settled into an Osmanthus Green Tea cuppa every evening. Helps me to relax after a hard day’s work.
Marye
Sep 22, 2008 at 10:25 am
Heather, sounds lovely!
Vee, it is easy to let that kind of thing go..:)
Diva- sounds great!
Ginger
Sep 22, 2008 at 1:58 pm
My ritual is a little longer. get up and go 3 miles in the dark on the treadmill ( for some reason when I am in the dark it seems to take less time or is less stressful), shower, throw in a load of laundry and sit down with my coffee to read the bible. Everyone has been told not to talk to me until that coffee cup is empty….so If I want more time…like to check the computer…. I refill before it’s empty. So far no one has called me out on that.
Marye
Sep 22, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Brilliant, Ginger…simply brilliant.
jo
Oct 9, 2008 at 8:55 am
I’ve been thinking about rituals as well. And doing more tiny things to make life pleasant. Like setting the table nicely, having dinner ready by __. Something. I want to have nice, but simple rituals that make life easier and more bearable. I noticed that life is very empty without traditions or a bit of fluff. I have become “no frills” to the point that It is no FUN. I want to do random gifting, more tea-taking, and nice, simpler, old fashioned things. People were happier then. I know why. There was always something to look forward to. Now, everyone, including me, rushes around to get this and that done, but there is always, and will always be something else. We have automatic dish washers, clothes dryers, etc. all these gadgets to save time, and yet we have time for nothing. We desperately need things to look forward to and enjoy. To comfort and heal our weary little souls. I had gotten out of my tea habit, and I noticed I felt crankier and less fulfilled…no that’s not caffiene addiction..it’s ritual! that cup of tea forces me to sit for 15 minutes and be proud of my family, focus my goals and everything else! Tea and Coffee give more than people credit them. Stress causes illness, so what if coffee has caffiene and tar and all of that, I think the joy and ability to relax outdoes any bad!
sorry I have spoken quite lot this morning. I missed your blog and it reminds me of so many things.
Marye
Oct 9, 2008 at 9:56 am
jo..I love when you talk..so please keep on…and you are right. I have been working so much lately that I do the same. and it is a very gray life.
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