Ritual

 For things that matter to me - my highest values and priorities - I have taken to calling them my practices.  I have a family dinner practice. I have a writing practice. I have an exercise or movement practice. I am working on a meditation practice. 

What is nice about the concept of practice is that it includes all of the ways life can interfere with best laid plans. The trick if I miss one or two or three is to get back at what matters, to me. 

It's a nice break from perfectionism which loves schedules and numbers.

And, the word can hold effort and growth and evolution.

Today, I wrote in my local coffee shop - third time in a row on Wednesday morning. This is now feeling more like a ritual within my writing practice.

It is such a beautiful gift to myself. I leave the house before anyone wakes with my laptop on top of my work folders. 

I order the same coffee - large Americano. The staff now call me by name. I see the same few people each time. I sit at the same table. I park in the same spot. 

It is turning out to be my very best writing day even with Friday being my official day off work! 

I love how we are the architects of our own lives, usually in just the smallest of ways - but man these little pockets of intentional creation are jammed packed with meaning and value.