It is hard to explain, but there is something soothing about rituals, whatever they may be. Like watching a movie that you love for the n-th time, feeling safe in knowing how things will play out.
About 20 years ago I bought an expensive bottle of cognac on a whim. But then I wasn't sure when to drink it, or under what circumstances. After some thought I decided to drink from it only on notable occasions. Note that I'm not talking about "special occasions" (birthdays, New Year's Eve, etc), although there is some overlap between notable and special occasions.
I have defined a notable occasion as being a life-altering event: the birth of a child, the purchase of a house, retiring, etc. But a notable occasion can also be sad: the death of a parent or a friend, a bad medical diagnosis, and so on. I don't drink from it every year, and the bottle is still about 2/3 full. Although I've mostly drank from it due to the notable occasions being happy, some were sad. It turns out that (for me) the mere sight of the bottle gives me a feeling of peace. It helps me accept the past, but it also helps me dream of the future.
Thanks for sharing. This is the key point in rituals. They mark important actions and thoughts with intention. Especially important in contemporary life where everything moves so fast and our attention is diluted - taking the time to slow down and notice an occasion with something more than a passing thought is a special act.
About 20 years ago I bought an expensive bottle of cognac on a whim. But then I wasn't sure when to drink it, or under what circumstances. After some thought I decided to drink from it only on notable occasions. Note that I'm not talking about "special occasions" (birthdays, New Year's Eve, etc), although there is some overlap between notable and special occasions.
I have defined a notable occasion as being a life-altering event: the birth of a child, the purchase of a house, retiring, etc. But a notable occasion can also be sad: the death of a parent or a friend, a bad medical diagnosis, and so on. I don't drink from it every year, and the bottle is still about 2/3 full. Although I've mostly drank from it due to the notable occasions being happy, some were sad. It turns out that (for me) the mere sight of the bottle gives me a feeling of peace. It helps me accept the past, but it also helps me dream of the future.