Dear Elliot: Thank you for this perfectly moving piece. I am going to share it as widely as I can. My dog Freddie, who died on Christmas Day, taught me a lot about ritual. Now he has gone, his little sister, who is mourning him just like us, is starting to perform some of his particular rituals, in his absence - and in his memory.
Wishing you all the wonder and happiness that the New Year may bring! By the way, do you have rituals with your students? If so, which ones are most valuable? PS I follow you on Bluesky (not on Twitter any more) I am @petchary
I'm sorry this has been such an exhausting year, Elliott -- but I love your focus on rituals rather than resolutions. In fact I read another post this morning on that very subject by Suleika Jaouad: https://substack.com/home/post/p-182661097 In it she says that rituals "open us up to possibility without demanding performance" -- so similar to what you say here: "Rituals are not about creating ourselves, but about being and authenticity." Honestly, I am beyond done with performance and metrics and self-improvement. So I appreciate you (both) writing about this.
Thank you for this moving and thought provoking post. I love the important distinction you’ve drawn between rituals and resolutions. It makes things seem more possible, less daunting and more grounding during these turbulent times. I’m glad to see your post back in my inbox. I’ve missed them. Sending you wishes for peace, calm and more rest in the year ahead.
Dear Elliot: Thank you for this perfectly moving piece. I am going to share it as widely as I can. My dog Freddie, who died on Christmas Day, taught me a lot about ritual. Now he has gone, his little sister, who is mourning him just like us, is starting to perform some of his particular rituals, in his absence - and in his memory.
Wishing you all the wonder and happiness that the New Year may bring! By the way, do you have rituals with your students? If so, which ones are most valuable? PS I follow you on Bluesky (not on Twitter any more) I am @petchary
I'm sorry this has been such an exhausting year, Elliott -- but I love your focus on rituals rather than resolutions. In fact I read another post this morning on that very subject by Suleika Jaouad: https://substack.com/home/post/p-182661097 In it she says that rituals "open us up to possibility without demanding performance" -- so similar to what you say here: "Rituals are not about creating ourselves, but about being and authenticity." Honestly, I am beyond done with performance and metrics and self-improvement. So I appreciate you (both) writing about this.
A wonderful insight. Thank you.
Thank you for this moving and thought provoking post. I love the important distinction you’ve drawn between rituals and resolutions. It makes things seem more possible, less daunting and more grounding during these turbulent times. I’m glad to see your post back in my inbox. I’ve missed them. Sending you wishes for peace, calm and more rest in the year ahead.
Amen to that.