: Oooh :

The best way out is always through-

Early this morning, like most mornings, I eventually wake up (key word = eventually) and so begins a series of gentle actions that are my morning ritual.

As each cold foot plants shakily on the floor, I take a deep breath and smile. I raise my hips from the side of the warm bed and stretch my fingers and wiggle my achy toes while walking to ready the shower. Somewhere between the warm bed and the freezing shower, I set an intention for the morning, smile again and then its time to get moving.

…

Starting a daily ritual, even when rubbing eye boogers from your tired eyes can help to shift our focus and energy. Rituals, however small and silly they may seem, are a powerful way to acknowledge and release negative feelings, failure and disappointment. If you spend a fair amount of time “hanging on” to “things” like I seem to do or you can’t quite seem to let go after a stressful day? Peaceful rituals help … Stopping mid-ride to bask in the beauty that nature graces us with. Taking a deep breath as you roll out your yoga mat before practice … Peaceful rituals.

Daily Meditation:

Rituals help to bring awareness and keep us engaged during everyday life. I suppose that’s why I always click in with my left foot first before a ride?!?