What are you reading this summer? Since I am at my retreat as you read this post this week, I am writing this early and sharing some of the books I am enjoying this summer. I think it is always fun to get a glimpse at what others are reading. Here is my current list: Soundtracks – The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff. Jon has a terrific podcast that accompanies this book called All It Takes is a Goal. At first, I borrowed this book from our library -don’t you love our local libraries? – but liked it so much I purchases a copy so I could study and highlight his wisdom. I am a chronic negative self-talker. My internal voices and what Jon calls “soundtracks” shout behind the scenes of my behavior and thoughts much more than most people think as I try my best to be an encourager and an optimist. This book offers great advice on how to turn down the volume and how to create and use positive thoughts/soundtracks more often in practical and very readable … [Read more...]
Silent Retreat Expectations
At the end of this week, I attend my annual silent retreat. I’m tired. I’m empty. I’m lost. All ingredients for being ready for a time to be with God, listening, walking, and bathing in his love. “A spiritual retreat is medicine for soul starvation. Through silence, solitary practice, and simple living, we begin to fill the empty reservoir. This lifts the veils, dissolves the masks, and creates space within for the feelings of forgiveness, compassion, and loving kindness that are so often blocked.” David A. Cooper Last year’s community silent retreat was canceled due to the pandemic. I did take a few days in August to stay by myself in a hermitage and walk with God on the retreat grounds. Nice, but interesting enough, I missed being with community in silence. I have written in the past about the value of this spiritual practice and encourage you if you are interested or even hesitate, to take the time to read and pray about going on … [Read more...]
Word Nerd, Words Overheard, Words Undeterred
I am a word nerd. I love playing with words, learning new ones, studying the Word, and exploring their meanings and history. Some words tickle all our senses like a delicious treat as they cascade and take flight from our tongue. I have been thinking a lot lately about words. I love to read. One of my favorite books, next to the Bible, is my beat-up, falling-apart-at-the-seams Thesaurus. I am on several daily email lists highlighting interesting ones too. I have been wondering if each of us have a single word set by God into the center of our souls that guide us throughout life. One word or perhaps a small phrase resonating throughout our lives adding meaning and purpose. Yes “word” could be my divine imprint, but I also am drawn to, “nourish/nurture.” I do know I love having a word of a year. This year’s word – GO- is so simple, short, yet full of wisdom and guidance. I have been amazed how GO weaves its way into my life and appears just at the right moment, guiding a … [Read more...]
Charm Bracelets – Capture the Past, Cherish the Present
Charm bracelets – did it wear one in high school? A few weeks ago, a good friend (Thanks, Mary Ann) showed her high school charm bracelet on Facebook and asked if anyone else wore one like hers when we were younger. The response was so fun and brought back many memories. So I looked. I pulled out the step stool to reach that high shelf in the closet where the old jewelry box rested covered with dust. Nostalgia descended upon my soul as I sort and sifted through classic pieces from my mom and from my life many moons ago. Old pins. Nameplates from first jobs. Not working watches worn by an elderly long gone saint who still lives in my heart. Finally, I found it and slowly touched each captured moment from my teen years. Capturing the Past What is or would be on your childhood charm bracelet? Not only is this fun but also remind us of our roots and early experiences that formed our souls. Come on, let's share. Even men could at least imagine what … [Read more...]
Languishing and Lingering Lessons
Lingering and languishing are two words murmuring in my mind and heart lately. I haven't heard anyone said these two words out loud, but sense many people feel empty, depleted, and lack the energy even to linger and savor the present time. We fixate on the never-ending pandemic dominating our lives, news, and choices. We then play the "someday when we can be normal again" game, focusing on the future. Languishing "Part of the danger is that when you’re languishing, you might not notice the dulling of delight or the dwindling of drive. You don’t catch yourself slipping slowly into solitude; you’re indifferent to your indifference. When you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or even do much to help yourself.” Great quote from an article in the NY Times so well written by Adam Grant and titled "There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing." It opens with this sentence: "The neglected middle child of mental health can dull your motivation … [Read more...]
In Praise of the Pretzel
Pretzels! Did you know April 26 is National Pretzel Day? I never heard of this before and what a fun and yummy discovery. The Twisted History Pretzels do belong in a faith blog like Healthy Spirituality because pretzel have religious roots. Legend tells that the first pretzel was created by a monk around the 7th Century A.D.to reward children for saying their prayers. The treat of baked dough was twisted into the shape or crossed arms. Some say they were originally called “bracellae,” the Latin term for “little arms,” from which Germans later derived the word “bretzel.” One place promotes the pretzel starting in Italy while another source puts the invention in a monastery in southern France. Seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, pretzels were also commonly distributed to the poor, as a way of providing them with both spiritual and literal sustenance. The looped pretzel may also be related to a Greek Ring bread from the communion … [Read more...]
One Word Journaling
Is one word enough for a journal entry? Using a single word as a writing prompt is amazingly simple, yet powerful. I have notice when studying scripture and being with God, often the small plain words hold as much meaning as the gigantic theological ones. THE Lord is MY shepherd. OUR Father who art in heaven. YET God… My Word of the Year My word of the year is very minimal and down to earth: GO. I have shared on other posts about my word and GO continues to put down deep roots in my spiritual journey this year. Emily Freeman talked this past week about How to Journal Using One Word in her #173 podcast. Well worth listening as she is inspiring and insightful every week. Emily likes to write her word at the top of a journal page. She then reviews and reflects over the past week, month or quarter her using her iPhone photos, her journal, and her daily planner. Paying attention, she looks for patterns or material related to her word. She then gleans insights … [Read more...]
POOF! 50 Years Later
50 years ago – March 1971. I bet some of you reading this may have been alive then. Do you remember March 1971? I do. A significant event happened, but at that moment I never realized that this was a turning point in my life. Even you, my younger friends, have experienced a meeting, a word, an interaction that at the time seemed small. Maybe fun but not life changing. Another notation on the calendar, the to-do list. A minor memo that slowly and surprisingly took root and grew beyond any expectations. March 1971 – I remember riding back to my college dorm with my then current boyfriend. I recall saying to myself. "He is such a nice guy but just not the one. There is no spark here. I really should try spending time with someone new." A girl-ask-guy party was coming up on campus. I looked around at several meetings scanning the crowd for a possibility. I remember looking at tall blonde Paul, wondering about him when I noticed a shorter … [Read more...]