Ritual, Traditions & Celebrations
Welcoming in Spring ushers in a season of celebrations based in ancient rituals and fused with modern intentions. According to Wikipedia, a ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects, performed in a sequestered place, and conducted according to a set sequence. The original concept of ritual may be related to the Sanskrit ṛtá (“visible order)” in Vedic tradition, “the lawful and regular order of the normal, and therefore proper, natural and true structure of cosmic, worldly, human and ritual events”. Regardless of its origin, all cultures define and participate in rituals of all sorts and types.
I love the energy of a communal ritual, mostly because I love community connection and celebration. But I often feel overwhelmed by the work involved in preparing and sometimes (ok, usually) I get STUCK in my fear. My fear that I might inadvertently, unintentionally offend (or disappoint) someone with my choice or style of celebration. Do you know what I mean?
Fear has no place in Celebration.
This past weekend was Passover, Easter AND Earth Day. Each has its own set of rituals, practices and traditions. Each has its convicted practitioners and BELIEVERS. I’m a HUGE fan of traditions, but I’m not a fan of obligation, guilt or shame that can often be tied up in our traditions. I believe that traditions, just like our community, need to adapt and reflect our truest selves, our BEST selves. Hold onto what works, let go of what doesn’t. I chose to celebrate this weekend by practicing gratitude and embracing life as an opportunity to #beginagain. I started my weekend with a community yoga practice, supported a friend in her business launch and shared a meal with my family and set out for a hike between rain storms. All sounds pretty normal, I know. But I think NORMAL is pretty special and these “rituals” are absolutely SACRED to me. I am celebrating that I have “normal”, every day mundane things like food, nature, family, and friends. Not everybody does. I am grateful.
How do you celebrate this season? Do you have traditions and rituals that support your intention and attention around your celebration? For my family, its usually about the food. So around the table we gather to share conversation, typically a few laughs and maybe a board game or two. To me that’s sacred! That’s worth celebrating.
Whatever is on your agenda today, I hope you can make the space to breathe, move and rest. Find your personal practice so you can show up as your best self!
May you breathe deeply, move freely, labor lovingly & live vibrantly.
Namaste,
Kimberlyn
