Time Rituals
We have the notion that there isn’t enough time in our lives.
We are enslaved by the ticktock of the passing hands of time.
Our lives are scheduled by the minutes and seconds of the clock.
Our productivity and our success is measured by each job or deadline we meet.
We steal the moments of joy right out of our lives with this fixation on time.
We think, if we just deal with this crisis, right now, the future will bring us peace.
Yet, there is never any peace that comes. Always another dilemma occurs and we find ourselves right back in crisis mode.
Any thoughts of relaxing, napping, getting to enjoy a hobby or just having fun are always placed on hold.
We tend to cling to our fast paced lives without ever realizing why. It is an attempt to avoid any kind of real emotions.
So what happens when anxiety, stress, fear, sadness, anger and boredom follow us around like extra pounds gained from overindulging and we can’t seem to lose it, no matter how fast we go; we get weighed down by the past and the future that we miss living in the now.
There is an ebb and flow with time, most easily noticed with the changing of seasons.
We too, have that same ebb and flow.
A time to spring into action.
A time to sit back from the heat so that we may cool down and contemplate our next move.
A time to gather the fruits of our labors
And a time to rest, replenish and nourish for the next wave.
Rituals can keep us present. They create awareness in our own lives as to what is important.
Try these and see which ones help you:
Use a bell (a chime set on a computer) every 20-30 minutes, when it rings, close your eyes and take a deep breath, make the exhale a little longer than the inhale. When you come back to your current task you will be more centered.
Honor the everyday task.
Our lives are full of featured events: dates, meals, meetings and practices, so we miss the parts in between.
Do you eat in a hurry to watch your favorite program or go somewhere, so that you miss the flavor and company of the meal.
Try doing everything in your day without anticipation for what’s going to happen later.
Eat slower, if alone; eat without a computer or phone to distract you from what you are eating. You'll eat less and the food will taste and satisfy more, unless you are eating crap; and then eating slower will allow you to taste the artificial, overly sweet, greasy or just plain bland food you are currently eating, which will lead to better food choices for you and your body.
If you are eating with someone, be with that someone and your food; enjoy the company you're with and the food you are eating.
Chores- anything you dislike doing: washing dishes, laundry, mowing the grass...anything you are not keen on doing. Re frame the chore; be curious about the chore, as if you had never done it before and be present to all the sensations of doing the chore. This will give you time. Sound silly? When I do the dishes, I am completely present with the running water, the dirt leaving the dish and the satisfaction of enjoying a simple task that offers me time to feel and be in a moment I would otherwise waste due to my dislike of dishes.
Meetings- enter your next one with curiosity. Notice all the people and without judgement notice how they speak, their perspectives, their mannerisms, the room, the objectives and see if you can leave the room taking away something that is of benefit that you weren't expecting.
Take time each day just for you. Same time everyday for 15 minutes, read, walk, meditate, draw, journal or whatever you enjoy to reconnect with yourself.
Pick a day once a month to be spontaneous. Your own personal snow day. Write the day in your calendar and let life take you on a journey without plans.
Once a year plan a retreat or an adventure that causes you to shift gears. Go to a conference, beach, mountains, ocean, desert or wherever you can find stillness and find your self reawakening.
I am sailing the Atlantic for the 1st time, having never sailed before with 3 other people. I found stillness and awakenings! One of the best adventures to date. When and where will your adventure take you?
Once a month volunteer to help the earth, humans or animals. When we give the gift of ourselves, our inner truth and connective nature to everyone and everything grows.
Community breakfast supporting burn survivors.