Reaching for the Moon (Again)

by Tulis McCall, Life-Cycle Celebrant

After July 20, 1969, when human beings first set foot on the moon, we never looked up at her again in quite the same way. Our journey to the moon also changed the way we looked at Earth. This first human sighting of Earth—the “fragile blue marble” surrounded by black space—changed our understanding of the planet from something invincible to something fragile that needs our attention, commitment, and care. What elements of your life might benefit from the same kind of change in perspective?

MATERIALS

• Paper • Pen or pencil

RITUAL FOR CHANGING PERSPECTIVE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

• Lie on the ground, on the floor, or on a bed or couch. Slowly look up and from side to side. Take special note of two or three objects or locations you can see.

• Sit up and look around slowly. Note what you can see that was previously out of sight. Gaze at the objects or areas you previously noted. How are they different?

• Stand up and slowly look around. Once again, examine those objects or locations you chose. What is different now? What were you sitting on that you could not see before?

• Rise up on your toes three times. As you lift yourself, notice the change in your perspective. It is small but mighty.

• Finally, write down three areas of your life where you feel stuck.

Closet need clearing out? Client pool shrinking? Relationship not going so well? Write it down.

• Then flip your statements. Instead of saying “My closet needs cleaning out,” try “I need cleaning out.” Instead of, “I need more clients,” try “More clients need me.” Instead of “My partner is getting on my nerves,” try “I might be getting on my partner’s nerves.” Write down these new perspectives. Say them out loud. How do they feel and how do you feel saying them?

IN CLOSING

With every moonrise, there is an earthrise. When you bring a new perspective to a problem, there is a shift. With that shift comes new possibilities. We just need to change our perspective in order to see them, just as we did when we stepped upon the moon.

TULIS MCCALLis a Life-Cycle Celebrant® certified in Weddings. She lives and works throughout the New York Metro Area. You can reach Tulis through her websites, www.weddingsbytulis.com or at www.newyorkweddingofficiant.org.

In our fast-paced lives, many of us don't "stop and smell the roses." When we do take the time, though, we honor that which makes us magnificently human. Stopping to smell the roses can offer you a bouquet that keeps on blooming, because of your full attention and reverence to life. Life-Cycle Ceremonies: A Handbook for Your Whole Life is a compilation of ceremonies and rituals written by experienced Certified Life-Cycle Celebrants® from all over the world, who share their wisdom along with some favorite rituals. It's an excellent resource for those who want to better practice mindfulness in their day-to-day lives, for wellness, healthcare, and death care professionals, and for all lovers of life. 

This book was created by the Celebrant Foundation & Institute. Contact us at: celebrantinstitute.org or give us a call at: (973) 746-1792.  

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