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In a recent article in Aging Horizons Bulletin, Dr. Andrea Sherman, co-founder and pesident of Transitional Keys, a non-profit New York-based educational, research and training organization wrote about the different kinds of rituals and how ritual can transform your life.

As stated in her interview, there are civic rituals such as voting; social rituals such as how you greet each other, Halloween, the tooth fairy; religious and spiritual rituals; and personal rituals such as having your morning cup of coffee in the same chair each morning and reading above the fold first. 

Rituals are done with intention; as simple as that morning cup of coffee to more elaborate of creating a story-telling ritual for the 50th anniversary of grandparents.  The rituals provided in the Power of Rituals are all about the story…telling, listening, learning from, sharing; creating, cultivating and celebrating.

Dr. Sherman goes on to describe how rituals benefit older people: provides order and clarity in times of change; relief and comfort in times of anxiety; integration and healing in times of loss; continuity and community in times of reflection and celebration.

Rituals may benefit the older generation but they are essential for the young people of today.  In my own family I see a loss of ritual between parents and their young children; between singles and their community; between people and the stories of their legacy. 

When I was young, televisions were only in the households of the wealthy and risk-takers…common thought was that they would never succeed.  So our family ritual was to go to the library as a family once a week and check out stacks of books and then we would gather in the living room to read.  No one went to their own bedroom to read.  We stayed together to read.  Our family ate together as a family, did chores together as a family.  Our family homes were small so we always bumped in to each other, connected, talked.  I see such a disintegration of this type of family togetherness that it is actually frightening to think of the nature  of the generation coming up on our heals.

Creating a ritual a simple as going to the library together as a family brings a richeness to the relationship.  The older generation may need to lead the way but to do so will transform the lives of the generation moving up the ranks.

Linda Ann Smith
Author, Speaker, Ritual Expert
Power of Rituals

After twenty-five years I am selling my home in the suburbs of Denver and creating a new life style for myself in downtown Denver; no yard, walkable to a myriad of venues, loft style living.  Yesterday, after only 12 days on the market, my home went under contract.  As I laid in bed this morning I thought about the last time I would awaken in this bedroom and it brought back all of the “last times” that profoundly changed my life. 

I remember the first time I thought about a “last time”.  I was at the top of the E lift on the Copper Mountain ski slope with my whole skiing family.  I looked around at the smiling faces, all so happy to be skiing in the pristine Rocky Mountains as well as being with family Continue reading »

In a conspicuous act of defiance against the economic depression or recession (politicos have not been able to name it yet), I made two unlikely purchases (for me) recently. I was speed walking through Nordstrom’s and what did my wandering eyes behold but a fabulous pair of red cowboy boots.  Well I have wanted red cowboy boots for just about my whole life and could never really justify Continue reading »

Valentine’s Day is my most favorite of all holidays.  It’s a day that is all about heart.  It’s a day that gives you license to connect to the people you love, cultivate new ways to show your relationships how you love them and celebrate their presence in your life.

How do you show your love to your spouses, significant others, children, parents, grandparents even co-workers on Valentine’s Day?  With the suffering economy a creative idea or two will go a long way Continue reading »

The Denver Convention Center was the site of the American Library Association meeting January 23-25, 2009.  Authors that are members of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association were represented in a booth sponsored by The Book Shepherd. 

Linda Ann Smith, Author
Power of Rituals for Women
American Library Association Exhibit Hall January 2009

Three hundred plus exhibitors showcased their books and technologies to librarians from all of the United States.

What had my attention was the length and breadth of the creativity Continue reading »

Why don’t you take a page out of the inauguration and inaugurate a new YOU for 2009.  Let’s look at the components of an inauguration so you an create your own:

Invite your community to your inauguration; family, friends co-workers.  Give them some idea of what you are planning and what you expect of them which really is to witness your inauguration of the new you with much applause!

Create your inaugration address:  the definition of Continue reading »

 If you are in that challenging place of wanting and trying to sell your home in this market you are not alone.  CNN Money reports that foreclosures were up 81% in 2008 and not projected to get any better in 2009.  And the Feds buyout approval has proven to be riddle with conflict and cross purposes leaving the American homeowner confused and frustrated.

The power of intention has proven to be, well….powerful.  I offer you a very sweet ritual to help you put clear intention into the sale of Continue reading »

Thanksgiving is all about food, football, family and, let’s not forget, thanks.  We have all participated in the ritual at Thanksgiving dinner of sharing what we are thankful for.  My family will forever be on the top of my personal thankful list.

My Mother’s holiday dinners are legendary in my family.  She was famous for her innocent double entrendres that made her blush when pointed out, and made for enduring Thanksgiving stories.  She was also famous for the one memorable Thanksgiving when a pre-dinner martini turned her into a football quarterback with a bad passing arm.  When she served the mashed potatoes, the bowl went Continue reading »

I turned sixty this year, just about six months ago.  I gave myself quite a celebration when I turned fifty but I just kind of slipped through the sixty keyhole without too much notice or fanfare.  About three months after this main event, I was standing in line at Sweet Tomatoes to pay for my dinner when I noticed their senior rate was age 60.  So, I wave my arms and exclaim so all may hear:  “I’m 60, I’m 60″….and there you go…my birthday celebration!

I can remember my Mother and her best friend Sleepy Bierman sitting at our kitchen table at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina Kansas talking how at the age they were then, maybe 45, they still felt 25.  That’s how I feel at sixty - I feel like I am 45….only better!  I am healthier, smarter, richer and so much better at not taking things personally.  I believe women, because of their nurturing spirits, spend most of their lives getting over things that have absolutely nothing to do with them.  I don’t take anything personally anymore.  I know that whoever is pushing my button, it’s my button and I can either heal it or let people keep pushing it.  Conversely, if I push someone’s emotional button, I know that it’s their stuff they need to work on and has nothing to do with me.  What freedom that gives me. 

Aging gracefully requires you to make sure there are certain life components in place.  One component that has become most critical to me in the past week is Continue reading »

Add a new and different ritual to Halloween by celebrating the power of women.  Who is your favorite heroine rom any era? The Standard College Dictionary defines a heroine as one who performs brave deeds, showing great daring or boldness. 

Women have more power than ever in this era.  I am estactic that Hilary Clinton got as close as she did in the presidential race and would have been even more so if she had won the nomination.  To celebrate Halloween with your circle of women friends, ask each friend to come to a celebration dressed as their favorite heroine.  They need not pick someone famous; a heroine can be someone who made a difference in your life like a teacher, parent, aunt.  Ask them to come prepared with the story of how they were touched moved and inspired by their heroine.  This is a wonderful opportunity to revisit that moment in time when your life shifted because of one person’s words, actions or support.  Perhaps an interesting twist at the end would be for the women in the group to recount whose life they touched, moved or inspired.

The outcome of this ritual is the acknowledgement of women; in the room, in your life, in the world and their power to change a life, many lives and the world.

Linda Ann Smith
Author and Speaker
Power of Rituals: How to Connect, Cultivate and Celebrate the Relationships of Your Life.