We are under attack. The unprecedented amount of noise and the uninviting amount of busyness threatens to undermine the universe. Are you noticing my fun with words beginning with “un?” No, I am not writing this in my underwear. LOL But on a serious note, when I asked the readers of healthy spirituality last fall the question “what was the biggest challenge in their faith”, the number one answer, the grand “UNO” response was busyness. The second highest answer was hearing God and our own selves amidst the noise bombarding us, internal and external. Noise and Busyness Do we just accept that these two obstacles to our relationship with God persist or can we stop a moment and try to change our circumstances? Let’s start with the external demands of noise and busyness, then next Tuesday explore what we can do to find more internal silence, peace, and stillness. I wager the internal battles we wage in these arenas are more difficult. “One of the greatest attacks of the enemy … [Read more...]
Writing Spiritual Goals
Do you write spiritual goals? Many people shy away from the annual “what’s your new year’s resolution” ritual. Others swear that writing down what you would like to do is the first necessary step in becoming what you would like to be. Ah, the controversy. But what about writing spiritual goals? Should we take the time to ponder where God is inviting us in the coming months? Or is setting spiritual goals too much effort on the human side of controlling our life? I struggle with this issue of writing spiritual goals, but have decided I do like goal setting. I find writing things out gives me clarity and often I hear God better in ink that appears on my journal, more from the spirit than from my mind. I also find I can easier let go of things once revealed in words and be open to where God is leading me. My Process for Writing Spiritual Goals Here are few tips for writing spiritual goals that I have found useful. After I wrote these out, I realized I have never shared this … [Read more...]
Choosing a Word of the Year Practice
I am a goal setter. People who know me well know I love organizing and designing a 90 day or full year plan of action and seeking a direction and implementing a blueprint for the future. This is both good and bad. After all life does interfere and God is in charge, not me. LOL One of the practices that has guided my decisions, prayers and focus each year is choosing a word for the year. Actually, the word choses me – it keeps nipping at my heart, reoccurring in messages and in stories, unfolds in my thoughts. How to Choose a Word of the Year I have written about this practice in the past and have included resources so I won’t repeat all the instructions here but share my previous posts about this valuable practice. I encourage you to take the time to read these, especially if this is new for you. How do you find a word for the year? Simple follow these steps: Pray – ask God to show you the quality that He wants to mature in you. Or the word that He wants to transform … [Read more...]
The Writer and the Birds and the Man and the Birds – Winter Bird Lessons
They are back! Who? The birds outside my office window. The Writer and the Birds My hubby filled the feeder and I set up the suet last week. It didn’t take long for my little friends to discover that the Birdseed Bistro open for the season. What these birds don't know, their presence is a gift to me. You see, I hate winter. It is my least favorite season in northwest Ohio. I don’t like being cold. The darkness affects my mood. The uncertainty of never knowing if the roads will be clear or not. The changeable weather shrouds events with worry and uneasiness. Winter is a time of waiting for something better to come along. One practice I’ve adopted the past few years is challenging myself to find something I like about winter. I have learned a lot from doing this and it has opened up my imagination of the beauty of this time of year and the gifts of this season. The birds flocking, playing, and eating just outside my office window is one of these gifts. I … [Read more...]
Ever Hear of Lost and Found Day?
Lost? The second Friday in December is National Lost and Found Day. Ever hear of this holiday before? I certainly hadn’t, but the idea invited me to consider how being lost and found weaves throughout my life experiences. Lost and Found Day Lost and Found Day encourages us to return any items that we may have found during the past year to the people who have lost them. The official Lost and Found Day is a day for renewed hope and belief that lost items should never be forgotten or abandoned to lost and found limbo. A time to try to find any personal belongings which we have lost and put an end to the frustration of having to go without something we need. Celebrated first in 2012, this fun day is an unofficial holiday that reminds people to not give up on the things they have lost and to increase their efforts to find them. I read one survey that reported that one in five of us loses or misplaces personal items every week. Car keys are the number one item lost and cell phones … [Read more...]
14 Priceless Gifts for the Gift Giving Season
‘Tis the season for gift planning, gift wishing, and gift giving. How about considering what priceless gifts you could offer this year? The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, because when you give your time you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. Unknown Often the gifts we hold most dear to our hearts can’t be bought with money. A gift that gives twice Is a present without a price. Jean Wise [bctt tweet="A gift that gives twice Is a present without a price. Jean Wise" username="Jeanwise"] On a recent podcast, Marie Forleo stressed the difference between gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful. We are grateful for the things we have in our life – our family, food, home, etc. Appreciation recognizes something great in someone else. Then to express that appreciation to them. Wouldn't that be an awesome priceless gift for someone? “Next to physical survival, the greatest need of a human being is … [Read more...]
Be a Blessing to Power Up Gratitude
"Life is not about receiving at all times; it is a combination of being thankful for what you have as blessings and sharing those blessings with others who need a little fraction of what you have." Catherine Pulsifer Be a blessing, share our blessings and count our blessings all power up gratitude in our lives. Thankfulness isn’t an “ego-stroking, let me feel better because it is all about me” action – being grateful opens our hearts to realize all we do have and then share these gifts from God with others. Gratitude is November’s Tending the Holy Thursday theme. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore in depth over several weeks. Last week I introduced ideas about gratitude and challenge you to write a thank you note to God. Did you try that? I did. My note to God evolved into prayer and a deep conversation about what I take for granted, forgiveness for times I ignore God’s gifts, and an overwhelming thankfulness for my … [Read more...]
The Powerful Practice of Gratitude
Gratitude nourishes the soul and refreshes the spirit. Intentionally practicing thankfulness brings peace and joy to our hearts. Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice. Just as I learned last month and continue to nurture the phrase “grace before guess,” this month I am focusing on gratitude and “living with thanksgiving.” [bctt tweet="Focusing on gratitude and living with thanksgiving. Jean Wise" username="Jeanwise"] “Maybe the simplest and most effortless habit for living a happier life is to take one or a few minutes every day to focus on what is already here and that you can be grateful for in your life.” Henrik Edberg Gratitude is November’s Tending the Holy Thursday theme. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore in depth over several weeks. This is the time of year many of us ponder what we are thankful for in life and generally live with an increased sense of gratitude. Living a life of gratitude helps us find the … [Read more...]