When the Going gets Tough, the Tough….
…….take good care of themselves! Yes! It is easy to forget the things that can bring us out of the dark corners of our minds.
When we are small children we develop comfort rituals to help put ourselves back to sleep, to relieve the hurts, to roll with disappointment. We base these on our experiences and what our parents or caretakers have modeled for us. Well, sometimes we are still that small child inside, desperately needing comfort, care and nurturing. Try this:
- Make a list of those things that nurture and comfort you. These can be simple things like a soft blanket, a pleasant smelling candle to light, a book of inspirational sayings, a walk in the woods, soft music (lullabies work nicely), a warm bath, a stuffed toy, a box of markers and a nice big drawing pad, a picture of a beautiful, safe place, yoga or other stretching exercises, a big, soft robe, a set of your most comfortable clothes, a sunny window, a vase of colorful flowers, incense, a cup of herbal tea…
- Write each idea on a slip of paper, fold it up, and put them in a hat, a favorite bowl, a prominent place on your altar. Now, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and allow your intuition to guide you to just the right comfort for today.
- Have old board games around the house? Find one with a spinner or purchase a blank game spinner. Section the board with 2, 4, 8, 12….as many sections as you like. Now, decorate the spinner board, highlighting each idea. When the stress begins to close in, reach for your spinner and give it a whirl!
The list can be endless. If you have difficulty coming up with things to do for yourself, think about what you would do for someone else who needs comforting, then turn all that love back onto yourself. These are yours to use and to cherish when the day seems long or the night seems too dark. Make a list of comforts and decide what works best for you. Be sure to write them down for future reference or to share with friends and loved ones.
Here is an excellent article from Psychology Today:
“A ritual is a ceremony in which we call in spirit to be the driving force, the overseer of our activities. It is a way for us to find our way to wholeness, peace, self-acceptance, and acceptance of others. Ritual allows us to connect with the self, the community, and the natural forces around us. Ritual helps us remove blocks between us and our true spirit.
The purpose of rituals is to take us to a place of self-discovery and mastery. In this sense ritual is to the soul what food is to the physical body… Rituals are participatory activities that involve the whole being: body, spirit, mind, and soul. In our rituals we call in spirits, ancestors, and dimensional beings to guide us each step of the way. Rituals are a form of continuous prayer. They help us to consciously incorporate healthy, genuine spiritual evolution and to dwell in the sacred in a way that truly heals us.”
— Welcoming Spirit Home: Ancient African Teachings to Celebrate Children and Community Sobonfu Some