I love wandering through my garden, meandering, taking in the colors, the scents, the wonders of nature. As I gather and savor and take in, my imagination is stirred. My mind is refreshed and renewed with expanding ideas, and I reenter the house with new energy to tackle even the simplest of chores with a kind heart and appreciation of life. Sometimes I wander through my books this same way. I scan my bookshelf for one of my treasures of wisdom and chose a chapter, finding a page or two where I highlighted words that struck my heart long ago. Perhaps those sentences still ring true today - maybe they sing a familiar tune. Often they teach an entirely new lesson. Let’s pause midyear. We ARE halfway through 2025 already, a wonderful midpoint to catch our breath, to wait for our soul to skip and play awhile in the garden and savor the season. To take time to listen to our inner voice and seek what may be missing or hungering to be heard. Here are some recent gatherings, savorings, … [Read more...]
Conversations, I mean Really Good Conversations
I have been listening, no watching and learning also, how people interact and connect as they talk. Ever notice how some people engage more than others in deep conversations? They skip the small talk and dive pass the social chit-chat and really get to know others. That fascinates me. As an IFNJ, I am not good at small talk, but I am a listener. I am an observer. So I know there are tricks I can learn from those of you who are more skilled than me at conversation. Those of you who naturally draw others out in discussion - you have some techniques that we all can adopt. What are they? Here are some things I have observed: Wonder if these same concepts could apply to my prayers? Mmm, I think that works too. Deeper connections. More meaningful conversations. Works for people. Works in prayer. Just takes time. A little less ego. A sprinkle of love and paying attention and genuine caring of the other/Other. But worth it! What would you add to this list? … [Read more...]
Summer Self-Care
What is the kindest self-care you can offer yourself this summer? Pause for a moment and wonder what does your soul want, really deep down need right now? This is a great time of year to refresh your spirit. Take some time for refuel. You are worth it! “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” Sydney J. Harris Here are some ideas: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” Katie Reed What else would you add to this list? … [Read more...]
Courage Cropping Up Everywhere
Every hear of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon? To be honest I had to look up what this event was called, but we have all experienced this. In short, Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is a frequency bias. You notice something new or adopt a new word like a word of a year. Maybe you have a conversation about a red car or just found out you were pregnant. Maybe you and your neighbor talk about a breed of dog, a particular style of house, or just about anything. Suddenly, you’re aware of that thing all over the place. Every place you look you see that item. There are red cars on every street! In reality, there’s no increase in occurrence. It’s just that you’ve started to notice it. My word of the year is courage and this word sure has been cropping up in all my readings and in podcasts and quotes and sermons and Bible passages… all over the place. I can’t get away from its lessons!!! That is the power in choosing a word of the year and being intentional on exploring and going deeper into … [Read more...]
Ballpoint Pen Day!
Today is Ballpoint Pen Day! Okay, this is one holiday I never heard of before but thought it was be fun to learn as a writer more about the history and fun facts about pens in general. A different kind of blog post this week – more light, joy filled and quirky for summertime! On June 10th of each year, National Ballpoint Pen Day recognizes the useful writing utensil and commemorates the anniversary of the patent filing on June 10, 1943. Before 1943, anyone who wanted to write a letter or scribble some notes on a piece of paper used a fountain pen or pencil. Interesting Facts about Pens Any guesses how many pens you have laying around your house? I would be afraid to guess. I have them tucked away all over the place. I did clean out my desk drawers this winter and the jar on my kitchen desk throwing away the ones that no longer worked but wow, I certainly have quite a few pens. Makes me appreciate this ordinary device and helps me to pause and … [Read more...]
Borrowed Words
The wisdom of others often penetrates our hearts and minds and helps us hear God in new ways. This is just one reason of many why we need to read and listen to others much wiser than us. Why I am thankful we are surrounded by the “great crowd of witnesses” that stretch our growing. Why I seek and sit at the feet of lamplighters. Here are a few thoughts from others lately that have invited me to pause, pray and ask God what are you asking me to do with these words in my life right now, Lord? Maybe they will bless your journey too: “Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. … [Read more...]
Dancing with a Limp
I just completed a four-month training to be a grief companion and must say this has been one of the most moving, lifechanging, spiritual courses I have ever taken. Yes, my mind learned new tools, but more importantly my heart and spirit expanded with healing, compassion, and understanding for both others and my own grief journey. Everyone experiences loss. Oh, there are so many kinds of losses in life. In our society we don’t talk openly about our losses and when we do, we stammer and often say the wrong thing or avoid saying anything. After taking this course, I know now I will be a better friend to others facing the difficult time following loss or at least I hope I will be. This is a skill we all need to work on and learn more about. Please let’s all work all on this to get better! Ann Lamott writes, “You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is … [Read more...]
What’s Saving My Life? Spring Edition
What’s saving my life right now? This is an occasional question I ask myself. Not original but I find this question life-giving, uplifting, refreshing and provides a moment of rest for my spirit. One of my mentors, Emily Freeman, asks this question frequently too . She discovered this question in a book by Barbara Brown Taylor (another mentor of mine!) in her book, Leaving Church. Taylor shares the story of being a guest speaker at an event. When she asked for her topic, this was her host’s request: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” These words invite us to pause, reflect, and savor what is giving us life at this moment. What a great spiritual practice to pause, take a deep breath and listen to your life and ask: what is giving/saving your life right now? What is bringing you joy? What grounds you and helps you get out of bed each day? What helps you get your mind off this crazy messed up world and helps you remember beauty, meaning, and love? What IS … [Read more...]