RitualsWritten by Jean Johnson
RitualWhat rituals do you have in your life? We all have them. Do you always add cream and sugar to your cup before you pour in coffee? Do you never leave house without making your bed? Do you have a cup of tea before retiring? Do you always comb your hair and freshen your lipstick before going into a meeting? Do you brush after every meal? Rituals. Of course trimming tree as a family; turkey on Thanksgiving, red flowers on Valentine’s Day are more noticeable rituals. We all have them - big and small. Rituals. Rituals are important in our lives. They give us unity, consistency, harmony, connectedness. As world becomes a more stressful, chaotic, disconnected place ritual can bring us back to ourselves and our families. We can create less stress, more communion, more harmony in our lives by creating our own rituals. Big or small. Rituals. I have a “writing ritual”. When I get up and am ready to write I make a cup of tea (Equal goes in cup first), I go into my office and turn on my little desk fountain, light candles, turn on some quiet music, sit in my big chair, pick two Angel and one Goddess cards, and select my colored pen for day. I then write five items in my gratitude journal, read a daily meditation and begin my journal. I usually begin by writing down my Angel and Goddess cards and what those words mean to me today. Then I’m usually off and running. Other writers have other rituals. But this ritual relaxes me, it reassures me, and it gets me started. I feel grounded and nurtured by doing this. Ritual: a ceremonial act or actions; a customarily repeated act or set of acts. Rituals are soothing . . . something we can depend on. For women with harried, hectic lives a few minutes of a daily ritual can be a few minutes that unravels and unwinds. A ritual can be anything you desire . . . from meditation to washing and creaming your face. You already do rituals . . . notice them . . . slow them down . . . breathe while you do them . . . enjoy! And create new ones. You don’t meditate? Get up fifteen minutes earlier and start. You don’t wash and cream your face at night? Buy some wonderful soap and moisturizer, get a pretty towel, and start. You’ll not only feel better, you’ll look better. In movie Soul Food they had a ritual of Sunday Family Dinner. Lots of families used to have that, but busy schedules have all but eliminated it. In Soul Food, after mother died, so did ritual, and family fell apart. To reunite family they recreated ritual - and it worked.
| | Shopping is Great … Just Don’t be the Bait …The Top 7 Precautions Criminals Want Women to NEVER Learn.Written by Michelle Annese
It’s dark out. It’s late. You’ve closed down mall with your bags and packages in hand. You did so good finding terrific deals and gifts for your loved ones. And with kids not around, you were able to accomplish a so much. As your running mental gift list in your head, you’re not aware that you didn’t park under any lights … Or who parked next to you. Fumbling with shopping bags, half-way through lot, you start searching for your keys, and then hear your cell phone go off… And then … without warning someone approaches you …Are you at risk? What makes a woman a perfect target? Here are 7 top tactics and weaknesses criminals who were interviewed say they look for to take advantage of you. They aren’t just for busy holiday season either. It’s all year round. Don’t fall for them anytime and you can protect yourself from becoming one of New Year’s next statistics. 1.Coming up to my vehicle, did I look around - aware of who is near it? Am I walking my packages in a cart or carrying them in my hand? Criminals interviewed say they want to attack woman who is walking alone and not aware of her surroundings. Always put shopping bags in a cart. This allows you ample time to react if someone is approaching you. If you’re carrying bags, this renders your hands useless to protect yourself and gives a criminal a bonus. Remember… buddy system. Late night shopping always needs to be a ‘girl’s night out’ affair. 2.Are my keys already in my hand before leaving store? Again, awareness plays a huge part. Also, with a key in hand, it can be a terrific weapon if you’re suddenly grabbed. 3.Am I talking on cell phone …fixing my hair… counting my change… writing in checkbook…and not paying attention? Paying attention is key. Take care of all that ‘stuff’ in store. NOT in parking lot, or outside of vehicle. 4.Is there anyone loitering around my vehicle… if so… are they suspicious enough to making me go back into store? Don’t think your being silly. NO SUCH THING. Especially when your safety is on line. If you’re not comfortable with walking to your car, ask security to accompany you or if there isn’t security available, a store manager will do it – it is their job. That’s what they are getting paid to do.
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