Habits, Hobbits and Rituals!
July 2nd, 2009
WORD COUNT: 623 Short, Yet Life Affirming Words
TIME to SING YOUR PRAISES: * About 4 1/2 Minutes *
Habits, Hobbits and Rituals … huh?
Let’s explore the differences first between a habit and a ritual and why it matters to you!
A HABIT IS: an acquired behavior followed regularly until it becomes involuntary. So there’s not much thought involved, we act without conscious intent or considering the consequences. Sometimes this is okay, like in the case of breathing, for example.
A RITUAL IS: also performed regularly, but it is done with reverence and with conscious purpose, and deliberate intent. A ritual is done with respect and to honor or pay homage.
So when we think of rituals, we often think of sacred ceremonies. And isn’t your life sacred? Isn’t your life worth celebrating?
So why not consciously choose ritual, rather than habit to celebrate your one-of-a-kind life? Can you see yourself communing with an affirmative intention to allow all that is good to flow to you, each and every day?
And no matter how much good you receive, there can be even more good tomorrow, and the day after that. For we live in an infinite universe!
Could there be a better way to honor your Higher Being than to celebrate your life by making life a sacred ritual?
Habits certainly have their place and can serve us well. For example, I’m personally thankful that I don’t have to remember to breathe. Yet there is also something uplifting when we occasionally pause and breathe deeply with awareness to release tension and to shift perspectives.
The difference is our intention, and ritual can help you live with a greater awareness, so you can expand joy, inner peace and authentic prosperity in your experience. Ritual can lift you up and remind you of who you truly are, a VERY powerful spiritual being in human clothes. Ritual can also help us see both cause and effect.
If you like, pause for a few moments and consider.
— What habits or routines do you want to shed? —
— What simple rituals would better serve you given your greatest goals and dreams? —
Now close your eyes and review a day in the life of YOU!
WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOL BOX?
Here are a few instruments and practices you can use to create your own life affirming rituals. When done with conscious intent and reverence, any of these tools can enliven, inspire and transform.
How about business planning in a park or on the beach… stepping away from your work environment every week to see your business or work through the eyes for your customers or employer… how about imagining your desired outcome before taking action… using
guided imagery to align with your greatest goals and dreams … affirmative prayer… gathering with like minded souls … journaling… doing something that scares you once a week… asking how can I add value everyday and enjoy my journey…
Of course there are also the standard tools like meditation, yoga, incense and music to cleanse the environment and heal the soul.
Use whatever speaks to you personally, but choose rituals with deliberate intent, to help you live the life you were born to enjoy!
Oh yes, I almost forgot about the Hobbit thing. Hobbits are a fictional, diminutive race introduced to us by J. R. R. Tolkien. They live in middle-earth and are often called Halflings”. Truth be told, I mentioned them to get your attention! Yet they also remind us that the world is truly a magical place and was meant to be revered and enjoyed. A Hobbit’s heart is an open and noble heart indeed!
Rituals can be for play, work or personal growth. It’s all good when you celebrate the one and only YOU! It’s your sandbox, so create your own rituals, the ones that lift you up and bring you joy!
Your friend and partner in exploring “hobbitual” thinking,
Copyright© Laura Cardone 2009. All Rights Reserved. This is a Daily Discovery Series edition. www.profitswithpurpose.com is for progressive thinkers, conscious business owners and other adventurous souls who are redefining success ~ you are making life so much richer!
