Today’s Little Ritual is brought to you by Ronna Detrick, spiritual director and hostess of Sunday Services: services you want to wake up for. I’m excited to be joining Ronna on Sunday, June 24th as we chat about right-fit faith. Today, Ronna shares with us a imaginative way to tap into womanly wisdom.
Ronna, what is your little ritual?
My little ritual is writing an imaginary-real conversation with ancient heroines; women from old, old sacred narratives. Hagar. Sarah. Ruth. Esther. Mary. The woman at the well. And of course, Eve. When I find myself in places of self-doubt, questioning, loneliness, disappointment, or pain, their voice speaking into my reality offers me comfort, assurance, and strength. When I am celebrating, joyful, strong, and self-assured, their voice smiles in acknowledgement of what they knew about me all along. These women are friend, confidant, guide, mother, and muse. And their presence has changed me.
Some have asked me if I’m channeling. I’m not. I merely start writing, expressing my heart – my joys and pains – and then I wonder what Eve would say; what May would say; what any of my forebears would want me to know, to understand, to hear, to see. And for me, this is prayer: a conversation with the divine made manifest in sacred narratives of women.
What core value does it help you live out in your everyday life?
I value the experience and presence of God in my day-to-day life. Easier said than done. I’ve found that by giving myself permission to connect to these women’s stories, I feel connected to a larger story, to the Sacred Feminine that flows through them and into me, to an understanding of God that is bigger than I’ve ever imagined or understood. And, simultaneously, a God who becomes increasingly intimate, relevant, and vibrant. I am constantly stunned by the impact these women continue to have in my life. I am their daughter. And their God is mine. A small ritual that changes everything.
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Little Rituals are simple, repeated actions that happen in your every day. They ground you as you move through your day, and connect you to your most important values. To see all the Little Rituals practices by some of my favorite Magpies, just click here. May your find your right-fit rite amongst them today.
Spiritual but not religious? Recovering Evangelical? Jill of all faiths? You might be relig-ish. Browse the posts to learn more, or click here to watch a video about our relig-ish community.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been following your blog for awhile but was called to comment on this post as I found it really beautiful. The little ritual of connecting with the divine on a daily basis is so so important. I don’t always get it right but I notice the difference when I do.
I also enjoyed reading your post about setting intentions. Thank you for sharing these with the world – beautiful and inspiring words.
Sonya at EmergingDarkHorse recently posted..Five Tips for Your First Job – HBR post
I so very much appreciate your emphasis on small rituals! It’s true. These touchstones plumb the depths . . .
I have a small ritual where I articulate out loud my intentions for my life and for my day on my way to work. On the rare occasion I miss these declarations, I feel their absence!
Thank you for what you do here –
Evan
Evan Griffith recently posted..Verge culture, verge Spirit
Ah, the power of the spoken word! Thanks for sharing your Little Ritual with us Evan.
Rachelle recently posted..Little Rituals: Intentions
completely a woman after my own heart.
Woz recently posted..in case of (moody) emergency — unwrap (and gobble) chocolate!
Ronna is especially gifted in regards to working with the Feminine Divine. (I thought you’d like her, Woz. :-) I love having collegues who each have their own speciality, and Ronna is a keeper!