365 Simple Daily Practices to Boost Happiness & Fulfilment

 

I was emptying the dishwasher the other day and stabbed myself on a sharp knife as I reached in. I didn’t see it. Why not, I wondered, it was so obvious.

 

Later, while talking to my brother we discussed the simple philosophy of how sometimes things are right in front of us but we don’t see them, are we so preoccupied with other things that we are not paying attention to the matter in hand? Looking but not seeing or looking from the wrong angle?

 

Theresa Cheung’s The Ritual Yearbook is, for a personal growth and spiritual development book, surprisingly down to earth. It is full of insights into how we see ourselves and how to be the best we can be.

 

With just a few minor changes to our days she suggests that simple things: making our bed as soon as we rise, having a good stretch each morning, getting out in the fresh air, are all rituals that can transform our lives. Even smiling in the mirror at ourselves each day (not so easy first thing in the morning unless you do it before you put your glasses on) can have a transformative effect.

 

The one ritual I found difficult at first was writing down things I’m grateful for. Theresa suggests writing three things each day.

 

At first I felt slightly overwhelmed. Was I grateful for the rain, the sun, the trees and to be alive?

 

Yes, I am grateful for those things but I’m also grateful for small things: My comfy bed, my warm house, my phone. And because I am grateful for these things, I realise that I don’t have to feel guilty that I have them.

 

I have watched Theresa Cheung on a podcast with Russell Brand, and with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain. Sometimes she looked nervous but she held her own and was never lost for words, not even when faced with a barrage of disbelief from certain interviewers.

 

The Ritual Yearbook has given me permission to believe that, if I follow the rituals and look at the world from a different angle, everything will be ok.

 

Theresa Cheung allows me to believe in angels.

The Ritual Yearbook: pb £14.99