A few weeks ago, a friend said to me, “Wow the color of that shirt looks great on you. That definitely is YOUR color!” I smiled all day and certainly will be wearing that shirt again with lots of confidence. “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Mark Twain When we hear phrases like “You are great!” and “Thanks for being you!”, if they are sincere, the words boost our self-esteem, lift our mood and fill us with energy and joy. Did you know January 24 is National Compliment Day? I had never heard of that day before and think it is a wonderful way to remind us all of the power of positive words in our lives. My mom would always say, “Pay attention to the good things happening around us and pass those along to others. There is so much negative in the world. People need to hear the positives things about themselves.” Compliments are powerful words and when offered with honesty, are empowering for those on the receiving end. They build confidence and … [Read more...]
Blessings
Blessings come in many forms. We use this form of prayer in a variety of ways. I had a friend bless me the other day. She prayerfully raised her hand. Said my name. Acknowledged gifts God had given me. Thanked me for giving them to her and to others. Then reminded me who I was – a beloved child of God. A moment of peace, holy ground between us and love. God’s presence was very strong in that room and in our hearts. Blessings – we may use this word all the time. What is a Blessing? A blessing is a special prayer given from one person to another, as in sincerely wishing the best for somebody. Another way of defining blessing is an unexpected, perhaps undeserved gift. Or to give someone your blessing is to give them your permission, an approval to go ahead with their plan, such as when a young man asks his girlfriend’s parents if he can marry their daughter. Blessing can be the words we say before a meal to express our thanks for the food … [Read more...]
Thinking of You Week
Did you know September 16-22, 2024, is Thinking of You Week? I had never heard of this week before until recently and think this is a rather cool week to promote and participate in. Yes, maybe it could be another “Hallmarky” reason to purchase a card, but really I think I will dig into my stationary drawer to find some pretty notecards and send some handwritten notes next week to friends I haven’t connected with for a while. Thinking of You Week is sponsored by the Greeting Card Association – no surprise there – but it is a nice touch and reminder to be kind and spread some joy to one another. The world certainly could use some right now! One challenge is to send 7 cards to 7 people over 7 days. That would be fun. A simple hello can brighten up someone’s day in so many ways. I like the idea of a note or card, but I think an unexpected email, phone call, lunch or visit could work as well. Human contact and interaction is lifegiving. Letting your friend know you’ve been … [Read more...]
A Neglected Spiritual Practice
Quick! If I would ask you to name 10 spiritual practices, what would you list? I bet you could do it: Yes these are the basic ones and others I am sure. Yet the other day I was rereading the scripture for the week the story of Elijah in I Kings 19 and was reminded of a spiritual practice I use quite often but rarely mention either in writing or orally and rarely see talked about either - a rather invisible, neglected spiritual practice. Napping. In I Kings 19 Elijah is exhausted from running from Queen Jezebel and quite discouraged. God gives him time and space to rest, sleep, then nourishment to renew his strength physically, mentally and spiritually. Elijah napped. Our mamas were so right when we were toddlers and in the midst of a tantrum – a good nap was just what we needed. Sometimes we all need a nap. I have also learned over the years not to make decisions and to watch what I say when I am tired – that is the worse time. Get a good night sleep … [Read more...]
Unexpected Impact of Kindness
Has kindness ever unexpectedly surprised you? Kindness is such a quiet, simple act. Often a whisper, barely noticed, yet a gentle breeze of hope into another’s soul. Kindness is a choice. It isn’t expensive; often costing nothing at all. All it takes is one person to notice another and to smile and offer something – a drink, an open door, an apology, gentle word. a smile… Mark Twain said, "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." A few weeks ago, I was on my annual silent retreat. While attending this retreat I was doing my best to stay within my Weight Watcher plan by avoiding those carbs and desserts without asking the kitchen staff to go out of their way for anything special. At one lunch one of the staff members approach me. She said, “I noticed the other day, you didn’t take any rice and tonight we are having pasta, would you like me to prepare you a chicken breast instead of pasta? It would be quite easy to have ready for … [Read more...]
Book Birthday – Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down to be with God
Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down to be with God by yours truly was first published in May 2016. I have never celebrated a book birthday before and thought it would be fun to revisit this book, its message and its birth. Happy Birthday, Spiritual Retreat little book! Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down to be with God came about through a conversation with a friend who was fascinated by my annual attending retreats compounded by my enthusiasm for the practice of going on retreat. She hesitated to go, not knowing what to expect and if this practice was worth her time. I did explain many of the details to her, but then realized others may also feel that way. I recalled my first time on retreat: how anxious I was about the locations, the agenda, what to do with all that silence. So I outlined a book. Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down to be with God is small, only 54 pages, easy to read, and divided into three parts:*Before the retreat*During the … [Read more...]
Ruthless Trust
The book, Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning, begins with this story and quote from his spiritual director: “Brennan, you don’t need any more insight into the faith, you’ve got enough insights to last you three hundred years. The most urgent need in your life is to trust what you have received.” Recently I revisited my bookshelves and this book, Ruthless Trust, called to me. Don’t you love to slowly reread an old favorite and savor its wisdom once again in your life? I needed this book at this time in my life; I am sure God knew that. I needed to dig deep and ponder trust in my spiritual journey just as Brennan Manning did in this book. Here is some of his wisdom: “Trust is our gift back to God and he finds it so enchanting that Jesus died for love of it.” “Childlike surrender in trust is the defining spirit of authentic discipleship.” “Trust was not some feature out at the edges of Jesus’ teaching; it was its heart and center.” “The biggest obstacle on my … [Read more...]
I Am Becoming a Person Who…
I am becoming a person who… how would you complete this open-ended sentence? As a spiritual director I like to collect prompts like this one plus wonderful assortment of thought-provoking questions to use as I listen in sacred space with another soul. I often find these nudges also linger into my heart too. What a good spiritual practice to try that invites a quiet reflection and life review. I like the emphasis on the word “becoming” as it gives me hope in what could be and permission to try again when I fail. Here are a few of my reflections on where I am at this season of my life: I am becoming a person who notices and names her emotions better now as I live in this second half of my life. I am becoming a person who is learning to value being with people even as an introvert. I am becoming a person who knows her limits and boundaries. I am becoming a person who knows herself well enough to know it's important to keep showing up even when I don’t feel like … [Read more...]