The difference between a routine and a ritual is not the action, but the attitude behind the action.
To some, a routine is getting up every morning, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, and going to work. It is not a meaningful part of our day, but it needs to get done so we do it. It’s a chore.
Rituals, on the other hand, are viewed as more meaningful practices. Often, there is symbolism involved, and a real sense of purpose. A big part of it is your subjective experience of the activity. I define the key differences as follows:
| Routines | Rituals |
|---|---|
| Minimal engagement. | Full engagement. |
| Tedious and meaningless. | Symbolic and meaningful |
| Externally motivated. | Internally motivated. |
| Life as a duty. | Life as a celebration. |
| Dull awareness. | Bright awareness. |
| Disconnected series of events. | Tells a story. |
| Little sense of belonging. | Sense of belonging. |
| Focus only on completion of tasks. | Focus on performance of tasks. |
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Writing is a way of organizing our thoughts and making better sense of our world. I would even consider it a form of contemplative meditation. When writing, we connect different concepts together in our heads, mull over different ideas, and often aim at trying to paint a picture or tell some kind of story, narrative, or theme.
- Jeremy Taylor
Whenever we write we are embracing these ideas, allowing them to be expressed, and letting their energy flow through us onto the paper.
Throughout this creative process we too are changing. We are not only becoming more aware of our inner world of meaning, but at the same time we are given a medium to release these built up thoughts, ideas, stresses and desires. We are practicing a form of alchemy – by channeling our energies from something psychological to something material and tangible.
It’s a healing process
Like all forms of art therapy, writing can be healing; that is why I encourage everyone to pursue some kind of creative endeavor. It allows us to step back and put the world into perspective. It also gives us a sense of power and purpose, so we don’t feel completely swallowed up by our daily anxieties, stresses, and fears.
When we create we have something to be proud of, something to show for our efforts, and something that is distinctly unique and ours. This builds up our self-worth and inspires us to be more productive. Pursing any art has shown to do some incredible things for mental health, and it plays a big role in what Positive Psychologist Martin Seligman calls The Meaningful Life, which he considers a central component to happiness.
Carl Jung saw the manifestations of our dreams as ways in which our psyche maintains homeostasis and balance. I believe art and writing can have the same effect. This one video supports this point by showing how art therapy can be used effectively in treating those with schizophrenia.
Do a little everyday
Whether your thing is writing, painting, dancing, or playing guitar, try to do a little bit of it everyday. Think of it as your daily meditation or prayer. It is your way of provoking reality and creating a world of meaning and purpose.
Many people find it therapeutic to keep a journal or diary. Personally, I have been maintaining this blog since June of last year and I already feel ten times better mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I like to write music too, but writing is something that resonates with me at a level I can manage the best. It clears up my thoughts in ways that I find hard accomplishing with other arts. But, everyone may be a little different.
Writing is easy to become engaged in
For many, pursuing an art or writing is a lot more fun and exciting than meditation. While meditation is about stillness and silence, art gives us a way to find tranquility through active expression. When you finish a piece of writing or art there is a wave of relaxation and comfort, not to mention a distinct sense of pride and accomplishment.
So for those who find it difficult to spend time on the cushion, why not turn to writing and art as a secondary form of meditation? It could even still be considered a spiritual practice. After all, who says we need religion and false dogmas? Maybe the true evolution of man is when we recognize that we can harness the same creative power of nature that we so often attribute to God. In a sense, our capacity for creativity and innovation may even make us out to be our own gods and goddesses. In this recognition, we are aware of our own divinity.
When we find something we love doing, it becomes much easier to be engaged in. And engagement is an important aspect to any meditative or spiritual practice.
A stronger sense of self
When we walk away from a piece of writing we have a stronger sense of ourselves. We are a part of the transformation and by the end of the process we have been re-born into something new.
And – isn’t this often the crux of any meditation practice? To increase self-awareness and to watch ourselves grow and change with time? Shouldn’t we all practice this to some degree, even if it is only to facilitate our own personal development and well-being? Just a few minutes a day of reflection and writing can aid one’s life in so many different ways.
The mental state of writing
When we are physically in the state of writing it is just like a state of deep contemplation. We become absorbed in the process of our ideas, thoughts, feelings and emotions. We then attempt to integrate them all in a way that reveals a clear message.
When I am in a state of writing that cannot be disturbed it is like I am in a trance. All my focus is concentrated on the task at hand and on accomplishing what it is I am setting out to do. All of my being is dedicated into channeling my energy outwards into my creation.
Self-empowering individuals know how to attract others and get them to listen. They are able to put a megaphone to their inner voice and broadcast their ideas loud and clear to whomever is worth the time of day.
On the other end of the spectrum there are those who seldom let their thoughts be known. Perhaps due to some fear of being ridiculed or rejected, these individuals would rather live in their heads than provoke the reality outside of themselves.
We all lay on this spectrum to different degree, some of us leaning more one way than another; I like to call this our “Signal-To-World” ratio.
Voice of change
Through our words we all have the capacity to change something about the world, to shed awareness on things that others have ignored, and motivate like-minded individuals toward a greater course of action.
We don’t necessarily need a soapbox and a megaphone, we speak our thoughts throughout everyday conversation: around family, friends, coworkers, and casual acquaintances.
Unless we live deep in some long-lost cave in Tibet, or we are dead, it is hard not to make some sort of impact onto our world. With this being known, we all have some bit of a signal-to-world ratio, even if we willfully deny our interconnectedness and responsibility towards others.
Boosting your signal
First we must recognize ourselves as the agents of change that we really are, and then we need to ask, “In what ways can I make this voice be heard more clearly?”
I was always a fairly introverted child; you could say my signal-to-world ratio was very low. I first turned to poetry and music to help express and share myself with others, and now my biggest pride is this very blog you are reading. Any creative endeavor can be used to inspire and spark the interests of others.
However, it takes dedication to ensure that your signal is reaching others effectively. You must be aware of your intentions and when your message is being misinterpreted. Sometimes we can be speaking at the top of our lungs, but if it just blends into all the other noise of the world then our signal won’t be heard.
Action and activism
Making our voices heard requires commitment and action. This means getting up off our butts, stirring the waters of reality, and trying to make something happen!
It means we have a vision, a way we picture how the world should be, and a path to get there. Whether it is organizing a protest in front of the Whitehouse or even going to a job interview – our signal to the world must be as clear and understandable as possible.
So what do you have to say? When you look at the world where do you see changes to be made? Find the time and work towards getting something accomplished.
Tune in to others
Sometimes making our voice be known means speaking in unison with the voices of others.
There is no need to overpower all the other signals of the world for ours to be heard. All we simply need to do is find a place where our voice resonates. There may already be some organizations that support your beliefs. Why not work with them? This all goes back to the old adage, “Two heads are better than one.”
Example: “Everything is OK.”
Recently I came across a very interesting video of a few protesters in England.
Although I typically have disdain for those who walk around public streets aiming to provoke and intimidate others, these protesters have something unique going for them. They use satire and asinine statements in an entertaining and meaningful way – and it actually gets people to listen to what they are saying!
The message of their protest is clear and simple, and that is what gets their signal heard. While these individuals speak out about how “Everything is OK and safe,” the real message is that blind obedience is stupid, and it turns us all into nothing but zombies, with our 9-5 jobs and our lack of any zest for life.
Check it out:
In many ways this video summarizes the same sentiments I am conveying in this post.
What’s your signal-to-world ratio?
What it all boils down to by the end of the day is how much are you really being heard? Are you the agent of change that you want to be? Is your signal coming out loud and strong, or is it just a buzz in the background of this busy world? I don’t expect you to be the next Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr., but I do want to see more people following their hearts and becoming the change they wish to see in the world.
So do me a favor and let your voice be heard. What type of things do you do on a daily basis to make your opinion be known?
Yikes! Not only does it hurt to have to do so much work, but this stress then carries over into other aspects of our life. Thankfully there some strategies we can take to combat with a busy work schedule and still maintain sanity.
A. Re-think what counts
Sometimes work overload is really just a figment of our imagination. In actuality we may not have that much to do after a bit of re-scheduling, holding off, or cutting down on our to-do list. Find some things you can put off until next week. Also see if you can identify any tasks that you can just forget about completely. Often, “busy-ness” is something we only subject ourselves too when we don’t take the proper time to re-think what really counts. Learn to treasure a bit of minimalism, it’ll help you preserve energy for the more important stuff.
B. Take a siesta or two
As I mention in my one article, “reflection has shown to increase learning, memory, and other cognitive abilities. The more employers apply these revolutionary findings to the workplace the quicker we can move to what I hope to be a more enlightened age for modern capitalism.
C. Dedicate 10-15 minutes toward fitness
OK, we get it – you are “just too busy” to go to the gym. But fitness can be achieved anywhere as long as you have the creativity and dedication to integrate it into your routine. Try taking short breaks and do some push-ups and sit-ups in your office. By doing this you are taking your mind off of your latest assignment and rejuvenating your mental health. Taking an active approach to personal fitness is a great way to channel your stresses and at the same time boost your stamina throughout the day. CEOs take note: one article here illustrates how fitness in the workplace helps increase productivity by boosting employee self-confidence and company morale.
- Edward Stanley
D. Remember the importance of leisure
Leisure is anytime you are actively engaged in something of pleasure. Without the highs we would certainly have greater difficulty bearing the lows; leisure it is what makes life live-able. So, if you don’t already, find yourself some hobbies that really spark your interest and curiosity – something that energizes you and reminds you that there is a good life. And no matter how down or stressed out you may become there are always these one or two things available to lighten your mood.
E. Highlight what you like about your job
Most of us never achieved our childhood dream jobs. That is part of why the jobs we have can be so stressful and overbearing. But there is a mental thing you can do to learn to love your job more. First, make note of the aspects of your job that you do enjoy. That change in focus can help facilitate your workday, and the more you can learn to love, the easier time you will have.
I am not asking you to be delusional and all-smiles as you walk through the office, but to make the best out of what is, and learn the importance of a positive attitude. Rather than going into your day thinking, “Oh no, not another Monday,” instead think, “This will be a fun and productive day.”
What you are creating is a self-fulfilling prophecy – where your expectations affect your behaviors, and in return those behaviors elicit outcomes where your expectations actually come true. This phenomena has shown support in psychology ever since Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson published a study in 1968. It showed that when teachers have high expectations for students (even when based on false information) it leads to those students actually performing better on their IQ tests. Never underestimate the importance of your attitude and beliefs.
F. As a last resort: say “fuck it all” and take a day off
I would be lying to you if I didn’t include the age old “fuck it all” strategy. Of course it is a last resort, but sometimes it is necessary. I’ve done it myself during busy times of the year where I just need that extra day off to gather up my strength. Work is important, but it is not worth selling your soul for. The times where you feel most exhausted and overtaxed are the best times to stay at home and re-build yourself. But, I don’t recommend skipping out on days where you have an important business meeting or days when a big project is due – you have to use your own best judgment. Don’t do something that will get you fired.
If you had the choice, would you rather be happy with the things you have or not happy with the things you have?
Commonsense says most people would choose happiness. Who likes to suffer? Who likes to never feel fulfilled? No one. But as I go throughout my days I notice many people seem to choose pain and misery. They look for things to be upset about. They look for ways to feel victimized. Why can’t the simply fact of being alive be enough of a reason to be happy? Certainly it is worth more than anything we could have in this world or any other.
I understand life can be a burden at times, but that is not an excuse to live miserably; even the most dreadful of obligations can be seen as something valuable and good.
Living in happiness doesn’t mean only experiencing pleasure and never experiencing pain. It means being content; not the dumb and docile kind of “content,” but the meaningful and satisfying content. The content that comes from making the best of every moment.
I don’t see happiness as something that can be obtained or possessed – it has to be created. It is a bliss that comes from inside you and pours out like paint onto a canvas. It’s flow, a free and spontaneous dance of energy between you and your environment.
It is okay to embrace the irrationality of our existence, especially if it means more joy. Why not practice smiling and singing for no reason whatsoever, except that it feels good. Think of how much better life would be if you only added a bit of happiness to it? Even just a dose of it here, and a dose of it there can be empowering.
Commonsense says be happy right now but as Voltaire once said, “commonsense is not so common.” That is why I want readers of this article to step back, take a few deep breaths, and re-acquaint themselves with something they have known all along: happiness is here for the taking.
Because happiness comes from within and not from without, it is abundant. Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert says we synthesize our own happiness. As long as you are breathing then there is an opportunity to be happy. No other conditions are required.
Now — some may find this post too optimistic, others may be offended by the crudeness of my message, but this is something I had to get off my chest. You won’t find happiness out there; no matter how wealthy you become, no matter how dedicated you are to the pursuit. The decision is to be made here and now; and if that isn’t good enough for you then you will always be waiting.