The Power of Ritual
Hi, everyone! I’ve been wanting to incorporate more nonfiction/self-helpy/be-a-better-person books into my rotation, and I finally feel like I’ve got a good start. It can be hard for me to pull myself away from all of the fiction that begs to be read to actually spend time with books that make me think more deeply about myself and about life in general. Books in this realm seem to offer me a sense of community and connectedness as well as a built-in reflective period as I make my way through the pages. So far, I have never regretted reading books like these nor have I felt them to be a waste of time. Maybe I’ve just picked or been recommended the good ones, because I’m sure there are a lot of fluffy and/or harmful books out there (*cough* Rachel Hollis *cough*), but so far I’ve had good luck. The book I’m sharing today is about finding spirituality and fulfillment in the tasks you’re already doing. Even though they might seem routine or mundane to you, there is a power that lies within the things to which we dedicate our time. It’s definitely a book that makes you think about how you fill your schedule.
BOOK: The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile
“Nearly everyone I know feels as if they are falling short of some predefined standard that is completely out of reach so that our near-constant state of not feeling we are enough frustrates our enjoyment of moments that could and should be meaningful. These structural inequities literally steal our joy."
I read and reread the passage above so many times. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so seen by the words on a page. I am this person. And I guess I am not as alone as I thought I was. It can be so hard to access joy when you are always feeling behind or not good enough as you try to live up to impossible standards. The Power of Ritual is a book that begs readers to reflect on their daily lives and helps them uncover a sense of purpose and belonging in how we spend our time. You’ve likely heard the saying, How you spend your days is how you spend your life. Take that saying, but make it a book, and you’ve got The Power of Ritual.
This book helped me navigate “the weeds” of the daily schedule and to prioritize purpose and presence within my routine. I liked that with every piece of advice or information, Casper also shared anecdotes from his own life and application ideas for his readers’ lives. I thought he did a good job of affirming that everyone is busy–that no one has time for one more thing–while giving a little nudge to take those things that make us busy and turn them into more fulfilling practices rather than simply items to check off our to-do lists.
I am not religious, so I was hesitant to even pick up a book that had “ritual” and “soulful” in the title. Like it’s usually a no from me, dawg. But after reading the description and a recommendation from Hitha Palepu, I decided it just might be for me. And it was. There are some sermon-y parts that felt a little mega-churchy if ya know what I mean, but for the most part, this book was not about religion at all. In fact, the whole point of the book is that spirituality and connectedness can be found in the absence of religion. One of the main points of the book is that traditionally religious spaces and practices are on the outs, and new forms of purpose and community are on the rise.
I was dog-earring and underlining left and right as I made my way through this book. Here are some of the quotes/passages that particularly spoke to me, especially that first one:
“Nearly everyone I know feels as if they are falling short of some predefined standard that is completely out of reach so that our near-constant state of not feeling we are enough frustrates our enjoyment of moments that could and should be meaningful. These structural inequities literally steal our joy."
"How can we truly find rest in a stressed-out 24/7 world? How can we remember our "enough-ness: in an economy that always pushes for more? How do we cultivate our courage to stand against injustice?"
"The shimmering flashes of life's fullness get lost behind the stack of unanswered emails and the relentless drudgery of the everyday."
"This is the power of reading books as a sacred practice: they help us know who we are and decide who we might want to become."
"My privilege meant I didn't have to think about anyone else. Lucky me."
"Reading makes us see ourselves in other characters, become nostalgic for parts of our past, and challenge our worldview. It's also often credited with helping people create empathy."
"Our lives alternate between collective busyness and individual isolation but rarely allow for an authentically solitary or corporate experience. In this half-lived middle ground, our solitude is loneliness and our attempts at community are fleeting and defeating."
"Hobbies don't have to become hustles! Making room for play is about learning what things awaken joy for you, and making time for those special things."
"Some of us need to discover that we will not begin to live more fully until we have the courage to do and see and taste and experience much less than usual."
"In sabbath time we get to know ourselves as we are. And with that comes great self-compassion."
I am so glad I picked up this book and gave it a chance. It reminded me that I am doing a lot of things, but sometimes the intentionality/purpose/meaning is lacking. I’m trying to be better about that. It also reminded me to slow down, that rest is restorative, and that in community with others we are able to more fully know ourselves. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a little lost in the day-to-day overwhelm and/or monotony that life can sometimes seem to be.
The material is a little different in person than it looked online, and I obvs don’t read descriptions because I was surprised at the feel when it arrived...COTTON!?!?? What is this?!? But besides that initial not-sure-about-this moment, the outfit as a whole is so cute. Will I ever wear it to actually work out? Probably not. I take my workout gear seriously in that it needs to be moisture-wicking to the extreme because I’m a big sweater. And this outfit simply won’t be able to handle my sweats. I see it as more of a spring/summer play-outside-and-watch-tv outfit. It’s cute, tho!
Thanks for sticking around and giving this nonfiction book-look post a read! I’m hoping to continue to incorporate more NF into my reading diet, so I’ll take your recommendations! Wishing you all some great days ahead.
Happy Reading!
-Amy-
