The power of ritual in an age of anytime, anywhere
Lately, I’ve been hearing the word “ritual” a lot. Ritual is an act you perform regularly with intention and purpose. Maybe it’s resonating because I’ve become tired of technology’s flattening effect on our times and spaces. With mobile phones enabling us to do so much “anytime, anywhere”, it is all too easy to lose sight of the tenderness of this moment, this space, this person. The tyranny of the urgent never stops–there is always a notification, an announcement, a news story that demands our precious attention.
Recently, I’ve been pausing mid-day to water our garden in the backyard. It’s simple, and grounding. I take a break from screens, shift temperature, and watch our dog Mochi run around in a futile attempt to catch squirrels. Being in the backyard daily has opened my eyes to notice the gradual growth of broccolini and eggplant, and to marvel at the prodigious artichokes. The space is invitational, not pressured. What started as a chore evolved into an act I look forward to doing, because it returns me to my body. It reminds me that I am a human body, not just a brain in front of a screen.
Maybe the word “ritual” speaks to me because I often feel the pressure to be productive and churn through tasks, only to be bombarded with more to-do’s. Ritual reminds me that I get to show up for my life now, however unpolished I feel. Ritual reminds me that I am a human being, not just a human doing machine, and that all of me matters, not just getting stuff done.
What is one ritual that reminds you that you are human?
