In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind, perpetually repeating the same patterns and behaviours. Our minds, like computers, operate based on the data we've collected over time. If we look at it, our thoughts are a mere recycling of this accumulated data, which we've inherited or absorbed from external sources. Our minds are societal trash cans, open for anyone and everyone to stuff their rubbish in. When we live unconsciously, without giving thought to our words and actions, often we are just playing out outdated behaviour patterns that are not in line with our true nature or our highest self. So, to truly elevate our lives, we need to break free from these patterns, let go of false identifications, and embrace a conscious, deliberate approach to living. In this blog post, we will explore how rituals can help us raise our standards and shape the life we desire.
The Power of Identification
Our thoughts and behaviours are deeply intertwined with our identifications. We often latch onto beliefs and thought patterns that we've collected throughout our lives, and we label them as our own. These identifications are limiting, as our ability to respond to any situation is limitless, however we tend to fall back on the same responses, keeping us stuck in repetitive, unproductive cycles. The journey to non-suffering and self-realisation involves shedding these false identifications, a topic that merits its own discussion. However, in this post, we'll focus on the practical steps you can take to rise above these limitations.
Living Unconsciously vs. Living Consciously
When we live unconsciously, we allow ourselves to be driven by our accumulated behaviours and thought patterns. It's like running on autopilot, reacting to situations based on ingrained responses. These patterns are often handed down through generations or learned from our environment. We get stuck in the same routines and fail to make meaningful progress in our lives.
Living consciously, on the other hand, involves an intentional and aware approach to life. It's about actively choosing how we want to live and what we want to achieve. By identifying what truly matters to us, we can set goals and work towards our higher selves. This is where rituals come into play.
Raising Standards Through Rituals
Rituals are powerful tools that help us create the life we desire. By identifying what is most important to us and planning these priorities into our daily and weekly routines, we actively move towards our goals and elevate our standards. Here's how to get started:
Identify Your Priorities: Begin by listing the things that matter most to you. These could include personal growth, health, relationships, career, or any other area that resonates with your values.
Weekly Planning: Dedicate time each week to plan your upcoming week. This is a critical step that ensures your priorities are not forgotten amid the chaos of daily life.
Block Out Time: Reserve specific time slots in your schedule for your identified priorities. Treat these appointments with the same seriousness you would a doctor's appointment or a business meeting.
Create a Plan: Once you've allocated time, create a detailed plan of action. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks and set milestones.
Consistency is Key: Stick to your schedule and maintain consistency. Over time, these actions will become habits, further ingraining your commitment to your goals.
A Personal Example
Let's take a look at a practical example. Suppose you value personal growth, health, career, and creative pursuits like fine art photography. You might follow a ritual like this:
Every Sunday, you sit down to plan your week. You allocate time for exercise, meditation (for personal growth), dedicated work hours for your career, and blocks of time for your fine art photography projects.
You then create a bullet-point plan for each of these activities. For exercise, you specify the type of workout, which days and duration. For meditation, you outline your goals, techniques and maybe set aside time every morning to create a morning routine. You set clear objectives for your career tasks, and for your photography projects, you plan the specific shots or editing work you need to complete, as well as a day(s) and time allocated to it. It may seem mundane or trivia but by
Conclusion
Raising your standards and working toward being the highest version of yourself requires a conscious, deliberate approach to life. By identifying your priorities, planning your week, blocking out time, and creating a detailed action plan, you can make tangible progress towards your goals. Rituals provide the structure and consistency needed to escape the cycle of unconscious living and embrace a life of purpose and fulfillment. So, take the first step and start raising your standards through meaningful rituals today.
JC
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