Daily Nourishment for December 2, 2024: Be More Fully Awake
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“We mark the major moments in our human existence with a rite or a ceremony. Sometimes even the smaller events in our lives need the recognition of a celebration or the consciousness that a ritual brings. In our creative ritual making, we draw a circle around that place and that event so that we can be more fully awake to the magnitude of the moment.” - Gertrude Mueller Nelson, To Dance with God
Pause.
Take three deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then take a few minutes to sit by a window or sit outside.
Prompt.
Establish a new 10-minute Advent or December ritual to push away the winter blues or feelings of loneliness. Brainstorm for two or three minutes on what to include. Incorporate nourishing rhythms, encounters with art, good words, beauty, delicious food, comforting drinks, and whatever consoles and inspires.
Practice.
Take 10 minutes to begin experimenting with a new Advent or December Ritual for Belonging. What helps you feel comfortable, safe, and connected? What do you want to remember? What do you want to engage with? What do you want to return to? How do you want to tweak this ritual moving forward?
Want More?
Here’s Forty Ways to Feel Less Lonely During the Holidays (or Any Time). And here’s The Difference Between Routine and Ritual: How to Master the Balancing Act of Controlling Chaos and Finding Magic in the Mundane.
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Workshops, Gatherings, & Resources
—Advent Resources: Throughout Advent, I’ll include a new resource each day. For today, here’s a book I recommend: God Speaks through Wombs: Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming by Drew Jackson
—Become an SDW Insider: (Free) Weekly emails, behind-the-scenes updates, reminders for free SDW Co-Writing sessions, early access to gatherings and retreat registrations, occasional offers and gifts, bonus resources, and more. Email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to be added to the SDW Insiders.
—New Resource: Parenting with Art® Lectio Divina Cards Information about ordering these cards can be found in my Books + Spiritual Direction + Retreats & Gatherings email newsletter . To stay in the loop on all of my work, writing, book recs, and more, subscribe to that weekly newsletter at charlottedonlon.com/subscribe.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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