Ritual
Ritual - any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner. (www.dictionary.com)
Many people preach against rituals. It's convenient for them to do so when they are trying to make a point about their views on religion, postmodern culture or politics. To preach against something, shouldn't there be a direct attempt to avoid practicing any form of the subject they are opposing? If not, then "they" would be considered hypocrites. Wait. I'm not about to post my feelings on hypocrisy. I'm simply laying the foundation that all rituals are not negative.
For example, the first thing I do when I get to the office in the morning is place my bag behind my desk, grab the cup that is in it's holy place on my desk and head to the kitchen. There, I find the grandeur of a dark liquid freshly made producing a familiar and delightful aroma. The steam is seeping out of the small opening of the lid as I grab the handle and begin to pour this aqueous material into my cup. Non-dairy creamer is added and slowly mixed into the blackness changing the color to tan. Then, the altogether important substance of sugar (not a substitute) joins the merry-go-round of stirring. I know the amount of sugar is perfect because memory has served its important role in this ritual. I return to my desk and take the morning's first sip.
I do not participate in this ritual out of necessity for the caffeine to stimulate my body into awakening. I simply enjoy the taste of coffee. I only perform this ritual at the office. I'm thankful for it. Coffee is not the best thing in the world for you, but it's not the worst. Therefore, this is one ritual I plan to keep unless I lose my job, acquire a coffee bean allergy or learn something in coffee causes kidney stones (enough reason to stop any ritual). Until then, I'll stick with this one.
Many people preach against rituals. It's convenient for them to do so when they are trying to make a point about their views on religion, postmodern culture or politics. To preach against something, shouldn't there be a direct attempt to avoid practicing any form of the subject they are opposing? If not, then "they" would be considered hypocrites. Wait. I'm not about to post my feelings on hypocrisy. I'm simply laying the foundation that all rituals are not negative.
For example, the first thing I do when I get to the office in the morning is place my bag behind my desk, grab the cup that is in it's holy place on my desk and head to the kitchen. There, I find the grandeur of a dark liquid freshly made producing a familiar and delightful aroma. The steam is seeping out of the small opening of the lid as I grab the handle and begin to pour this aqueous material into my cup. Non-dairy creamer is added and slowly mixed into the blackness changing the color to tan. Then, the altogether important substance of sugar (not a substitute) joins the merry-go-round of stirring. I know the amount of sugar is perfect because memory has served its important role in this ritual. I return to my desk and take the morning's first sip.
I do not participate in this ritual out of necessity for the caffeine to stimulate my body into awakening. I simply enjoy the taste of coffee. I only perform this ritual at the office. I'm thankful for it. Coffee is not the best thing in the world for you, but it's not the worst. Therefore, this is one ritual I plan to keep unless I lose my job, acquire a coffee bean allergy or learn something in coffee causes kidney stones (enough reason to stop any ritual). Until then, I'll stick with this one.
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