National Goof Off Day Today is National Goof Off Day. Ever hear of it? I hadn't, but thought what fun! But then again. I need to be focused. "I am a serious writer, you know...." I should only be productive. My to-do list will die without constant attention. But yet the idea kept nagging away at me so I knew I had to find out more. National Goof Off Day National Goof Off Day is a day to do something, do anything, except what you are supposed to do. It is a day that is ok to procrastinate and avoid all the musts, shoulds, and needs. Let's qualify this – nothing illegal, nothing that would get you fired or divorced, nothing dangerous or would draw you away from your values and your faith. This is a day to take a deep breath and enjoy something. Feed your spirit. Play like a child again. Researchers have found that a little goofing off is actually good for you as it relieves stress and increases productivity. A silly break enhances creativity, problem solving, … [Read more...]
What Can St. Patrick Teach Us Today?
St Patrick St. Patrick lived almost 1500 years ago and has evolved into a person of legend, tales, and green inspiration for all of us, especially on the day we honor him – March 17. Exploring Celtic Christianity has been the topic for this month's Tending the Holy Thursdays – a fitting subject for March and all the Irish among us. This week we are exploring St Patrick's life and what can he teach us today. God Shapes Us Through Prayer Even When We Can't See Our Path St. Patrick was born in England, possibly Scotland, in the late 4th century and as a teenager was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave into Ireland to be a shepherd. He remained in captivity for 6 long years. During this time Patrick converted to Christianity and through prayer became deeply devoted, Some writings attributed to St. Patrick exist today and many scholars think they are authentic; one is called Confessio where St. Patrick writes about his time in prayer: "The love of God and his fear grew in … [Read more...]
Celtic Christianity –St. Brigid
Celtic Christianity –St. Brigid Who is St. Brigit? Exploring Celtic Christianity will be the topic for this month's Tending the Holy Thursdays – a fitting subject for March and all the Irish among us. We learned about St. Gobnait last week and you can read about it here. This week St. Brigid is visiting our space here and sharing her story with us: St. Brigid's Story St. Brigid is one of the three patron saints of Ireland and was born around 453 AD. Due to much of her story being written centuries after she lived, it is unknown how much of her life is based on folktale and how much on truth. Either way, her love for the poor and compassion for helping others lives on. Her father was a chieftain named Dubthach, and her mother named Brocessa, a Christian bondswoman, not Dubthach's wife. Of course this new child by another woman doesn't set well with his spouse who persuaded him to send away both Brocessa to Limerick and Brigid into foster care. When she is about 10 years old … [Read more...]
Celtic Christianity – Tending the Holy Thursdays
Celtic Christianity Exploring Celtic Christianity will be the topic for this month's Tending the Holy Thursdays – a fitting subject for March and all the Irish among us. I am half Scot/Irish, so know there is a little green blood in me. Any other Irish here? With five Thursdays in March, I have an extra day to dive into this interesting piece of Christian history we have. This week I am going to feature someone I never heard of before until about a month ago and thought her story would be worthy to share. Of course we will hear from St Brigid and St Patrick and few other Irish tidbits. Since I have been traveling I don't have a free item yet for you to download to add to this study, but watch for it coming up in the next few weeks. UPDATE: Click the button at the end of this post for a free pdf of 10 Celtic Blessings to share with others. I think you will enjoy it. So "top of the mornin' to ya" – let's study the Celts and see what we can learn from them to nurture our … [Read more...]
Finding a Blessing in a Mistake
Ever find a blessing in a mistake? Last November, I made a mistake. Trying to provide more value for you as readers of this blog, I have been offering on some posts, an additional free item to deepen whatever the day's theme featured. For example, last Tuesday I offered a one page printable called Monthly Musings, to record your learnings and observations for the month. All I ask for in return is your email address. Simple, right? Well, not if how you set the system up is wrong. My fault. My error. My goof-up. I didn't follow the instructions correctly so when someone clicked on the button requesting the freebie, entered their email - well, they got nothing... crickets...WHERE'S MY GIFT????? Ironically what item they were requesting was my 50 Questions to Nurture Gratitude. I certainly didn't feel very grateful once I learned the system wasn't working. A fellow blogger was the one to let me know - thank you, Martha - and I soon corrected it (though to be honest I … [Read more...]
January’s Monthly Musings – What I am Observing and Learning in this Wild Adventure of Life.
What are Monthly Musings? For the last few months at the beginning of the month, I share lessons I learned from the previous month. I call these my Monthly Musings (I have a free cheat sheet if you want to help with this practice you (see end of this post) and/or a printed book, Monthly Musings Journal, available on Amazon if you are interested). These are ways to incorporate the spiritual practice of reflection into your life and often I see God's touch and presence more in this rearview mirror look-back on life. January Monthly Musings Lessons Learned: Patience! No, I haven't learned this lesson completely yet and wonder if I ever will, but God sure took me into the classroom in January. Technology can be wonderful when it works, but when your computer quits, the frustration erupts. And for someone who writes, the irritation grows exponentially. My poor laptop is back in the shop for a second time and the reality that I may have lost several years of work is looming. Yes, I … [Read more...]
Finding Your Purpose – Lessons Learned – Tending the Holy Thursdays
Finding Your Purpose - Lessons Learned In January on Tending the Holy Thursdays, we have been exploring finding your purpose. I encourage you to reread the first three blog posts about this topic and if you haven’t already, download the Spiritual Autobiography Resource Guide to complete to help you in your search. (See button at end of this post) This week the focus is on the lessons learned and I invite you in the comments to reflect on what you learned. Have you received any insights into your purpose or what new ideas appeals to you as you continue to distill this longing within your heart? Lessons Learned – Finding your Purpose God first – I will never have all the answers and can’t even find the next step without focusing on God first. The whole process of finding meaning in my life begins with him. He planted this hunger within me and I truly believe he sows the seeds of desire in my heart. As I dig and listen and seek for answers, prayer soaks the whole experience. … [Read more...]
Prayer – Why Do We Pray? How To Freshen Your Prayer Life
Prayer - Why Do We Pray? How To Freshen Your Prayer Life Prayer - I have really needed and thought about and lean upon prayer this past week. Prayer is a foundational practice for many of us and for me I know prayer strengthens and guides me. Have you ever thought about why we pray? Why Pray? We pray for many reasons. God invites us into relationship and discussion with him in prayer. Doesn't it just blow your mind that the almighty, ever powerful God, creator of all things, desires to be with little old you and me in an intimate conversation? Wow! How could we turn down this gift of being with God? Prayer gives us the opportunity to praise and glorify God. To stand among others throughout history, those present now, and those yet to come into human form in awe and wonder of something so much greater than ourselves. Prayer changes us - turns our every cells, thoughts, and behaviors around to look, seek, and reach for God. Prayer makes us pliable in the hands of the … [Read more...]