“Living as prayer. I think that is when I am at my best. Because seeing through prayer provides a remarkable clarity. Not in the doctrinal sense, but because it is, at best, the lens of a love for every tattered inch of this earth.”
~ Imani Perry
Photo by Gordon Plant
Sometimes the simplest way to begin tending the rituals of our lives is to consider a daily act that could offer greater nourishment if intentionally ritualized. What if, for example, instead of racing through your morning tea or coffee, you made a small ritual of boiling the water, grinding the coffee beans, filling your cup, and then savoring those first sips with a grateful heart. How might this change the experience? While your tea may taste the same, is there more spaciousness in your mind or heart? And because rituals come alive in their repetition, what if you practiced this small ritual each day? At the end of a week, what might feel different?
- Begin with Gratitude. Begin by returning to yesterday’s simple ritual of centering in your breath and completing the phrase: “In this moment, I’m grateful…” If you’re doing this as a written ritual, continue adding to your reflection.
- Transform Habit to Ritual. From this centered place of gratitude, we invite you to identify a daily habit or practice that lends itself to reframing as a ritual — something that you do anyway that could be approached with greater intention: drinking your tea or coffee, your daily phone call to an aging parent, your evening walk, tucking your child in at night, even the many times you wash your hands. Ritual depends on many things but very much on intention. How will you go about this daily action with greater intention and a more grateful heart?
- Reflect. At the end of the day or week, take time to reflect on what shifted for you when you made this small but significant reframing from habit to ritual. Ritual often opens us up to layers of appreciation and meaning that aren’t as available when we’re simply going through the motions. What emerged for you? Was there a shift in perspective, a deepening of appreciation or sense of sufficiency?
Deepening Resource:
Ode to Lemons by Michelle Courtney Berry
We invite you to share your reflections below.
Enjoy the full seven-day Tending the Rituals of Our Lives practice.
With the thought of Texas which could not have anticipated the extent or effects of this storm, and, the winter storms coming further northeast tonight, grateful that we often know what’s coming our way
Making my first cup of coffee a richer and more intentional morning ritual. Using all my senses, from smell as I descend the stairs, sound of pour, slow stirs that give rise to sweeter smell, to tasting and holding first sip after settling into my lazy boy… I’ve been adding cinnamon to my coffee for years and I had forgotten how it tingles my tongue 😊
I chose making my bed for this habit becoming ritual. As I intentionally pulled back the bed covers to smooth the cozy sheets I gave thanks for this restorative place and time. I am grateful for the sleep of last night in this sanctuary-like space. I gently made new this bed and bedding in preparation for tonight’s rest. I bow in grateful appreciation.
Taking my dog out every morning, pre-dawn or later is an obligation but has also become a beautiful ritual. I feel blessed to see the orange red horizon behind the tree line, snow resting on hemlock branches, the moon low in the sky. Here I try to set an intention, usually something small: I won’t read the news in my news food. I’ll stay quiet offering no opinion today. I’ll eat lightly and have 3 different fruits today.
I am grateful for my morning with my tea and coffee, this site and another prayer site.
this moment is inspiring, it is a
real reframing place, and I’m sure God is with me.
Lately I pray for more patience and humility. I long for these virtues and I read, meditate, watch, listen. I noticed a small change in my routine. Kind of a softer heart… yes, I’ll empty it, so it’s softer now.
Before I retired I would take advantage of any time I arrived early for something by turning off my car engine and closing my eyes to breathe deeply and center myself. One minute or five, it is a good habit!
I am a knitter and my husband gave me a book for Valentines Day titled “The Mindfulness in Knitting”. Knitting has always been relaxing so now I will start my knitting sessions with a prayer of gratitude for having the time, the place and the ability to knit. I’ll see what difference this makes and what fruit it barres.
My daily ritual begins with bathroom breaks & feeding my dachies(3), getting my coffee & going to prayer room, gathering dogs to my side, then lighting a candle, lighting incense, and then sitting with my cup of coffee in a time of centering. My prayer room, with altar, is my sanctuary & starts my day off with peace……
Family, commute, and work responsibilities do crowd out ritual. Any time alone can reclaim the expansive effect of ritual. Breath awareness and recognition of “things routine” are elements. Gratefulness is the special sauce.
“Living as prayer. I think that is when I am at my best. Because seeing through prayer provides a remarkable clarity. Not in the doctrinal sense, but because it is, at best, the lens of a love for every tattered inch of this earth.” ~ Imani Perry The quote has grabbed me and is holding me. My husband use to say, “God needs you.” Perry’s quote says the same thing. It reminds me of John Michael Talbot’s song, “The St. Theresa Prayer.” It’s available on youtube.
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
With compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands,
With which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands,
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
With compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth
But yours
Beautiful🙏 Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome.
One of my friends calls that first cup of coffee in the morning “God’s cup of grace”.
Love that🙏
My first cup of coffee in the morning is already steeped in ritual – the warmth, the smell, the steam, the first swallow as I drink in the first taste of the day, a reminder that God is with me in such a sensual fashion in all things – not out there. I would like to add an end of day ritual. I will have to ponder that.
Will actually cover my ritual of morning prayers and enjoy my first cup of coffee in a special different cup intended with a more centered place of gratitude. As I look forward to doing both the idea itself is more heart-touching and meaningful.