The Art of Reconnecting Through Talking Rituals

The "Help, Thanks, Wow" ritual offers a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with ourselves and loved ones while improving our wellbeing through acknowledging struggles, expressing gratitude, and finding wonder in everyday life.

• Inspired by Anne Lamott's book combining humor and spirituality
• "Help" acknowledges difficulties and allows us to practice self-compassion by recognizing when we need support
• Asking for help gives permission to explore solutions beyond our own capabilities
• "Thanks" focuses on gratitude for what we have without ignoring problems
• Gratitude helps reduce overwhelming feelings created by our problems
• "Wow" invites us to experience awe and wonder in daily life
• Stanford research shows awe brings us to the present moment and makes life more satisfying
• Looking for "wow moments" can be like a daily treasure hunt
• Even on difficult days, sunrises and sunsets offer reliable opportunities for wonder

Take a moment today to practice "Help, Thanks, Wow" and share your experience with loved ones.

Opening Music by Jeremiah Alves from Pixabay

Closing Music by Aleksandr Karabanov from Pixabay

Transcript

Introducing the Talking Ritual

Speaker 1 0:00

Welcome to episode 11 of the Wellness Minutes , a podcast that reminds you to pause and take a deep breath when we run out of conversation with ourselves and others . Is there a way to reconnect , especially with family members and friends here or overseas ? Especially with family members and friends here or overseas ? What if there could be a talking ritual that could have health benefits and also keep us engaged with each other , especially when each day appears so similar to the previous one ? I have an idea and I hope you'll stick around to listen .

Speaker 1 0:52

A few years ago , I read this lovely book called Help Thanks Wow . By Anne Lamott . She's a prolific writer . She combines humor and spirituality in these lovely ways . Do check her out , you know ,

Help: The Power of Asking

Speaker 1 1:12

if you ever need to laugh and cry all at once . So , coming back to her book , I happened to read it at a time that I was going through a really difficult time and it was a combination of health issues , work , stress and just the ongoing pain of being so far away from my family ongoing pain of being so far away from my family . So I happened to read this book and I was just struck by the simplicity of acknowledging what I need help with , what I'm grateful for and what struck me with a sense of wonder . So Help , thanks , Wow . Became like a tiny conversation I had with myself and my husband every day . In fact recently found journal entries from that time as well , filled with just Help , thanks Wow for each day . It was fun . Help allowed me to acknowledge something was difficult , I could not change it alone and that I needed the advice or support from others .

Speaker 1 2:07

Asking for help is a form of self-compassion . You're being mindful of your current stress and you're acknowledging this moment is hard , especially right now . We could do with so much more communication within our families about how to ask for and how to receive help . Start by acknowledging to yourself what you need help with small or big , laundry or money , whatever it is . Asking for help , even if you just ask yourself for help , is a way of recognizing . Even if you just ask yourself for help , is a way of recognizing you are suffering but that you cannot have all the solutions . Asking for help is like giving yourself permission to explore who could help you at this current time . Thanks allows me to be grateful for what I have , so I could experience the benefits of what I have in my life and express appreciation to the people and things in my life that

Thanks: Practicing Gratitude Daily

Speaker 1 3:15

actually help me deal with the messiness of human life .

Speaker 1 3:21

Gratitude is not expected to make you ignore your problems . It's more a way to reduce the to make you ignore your problems . It's more a way to reduce the overwhelming feelings created by our problems . Wow , now , that's an invitation to look around at the world with a sense of wonder and awe . There are things that are happening around us each day , things that can inspire us , take our breath away , take us away from

Wow: Finding Wonder and Awe

Speaker 1 3:55

the present moment and also look at the present moment , whatever it may be .

Speaker 1 3:57

According to researchers from the Stanford School of Business , experiences of awe bring people into the present moment , and being in the present moment underlies our capacity to adjust our perception of time , influence our decisions and make life feel more satisfying than it would otherwise . I've linked this study in my show notes and I hope you'll go check it out . It's a fascinating study and it inspires me to look for more wow moments every day . And seriously , some days , looking for wow moments can feel like a treasure hunt . So I'm just grateful that there's a sunset and sunrise every day , because , if nothing else , I can just look up at the sky to find at least one wow . So yeah , hope . The idea of saying help , thanks , wow . Gives you a chance to come to the present moment with every part of your humanity , and I hope you'll be able to share your experiences with your loved ones as well . Take care .