Healthy Spirituality https://healthyspirituality.org/ Nurturing a vibrant healthy spirituality Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:40:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Overriding Overwhelm https://healthyspirituality.org/overriding-overwhelm/ https://healthyspirituality.org/overriding-overwhelm/#respond Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8890 Ever get overwhelmed? I bet I am not the only one to experience this suffocating feeling where even the smallest tasks loom so large your body abruptly stops in paralysis. I know when I am faced with too much on my to-do list, my breath becomes shallow, I feel out of control and ready to […]

This post Overriding Overwhelm was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/overriding-overwhelm/feed/ 0 Wayfinding https://healthyspirituality.org/wayfinding/ https://healthyspirituality.org/wayfinding/#comments Tue, 26 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8883 I have lost my way in exploring WAY. What I mean is this: WAY is my word of the year, yet I have been neglecting it. Not noticing it lurking around me. Ignoring its rich meanings and life lessons for this point in my journey. The word of the year practice for me has in […]

This post Wayfinding was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/wayfinding/feed/ 9 Lessons from Icon Painting https://healthyspirituality.org/lessons-from-icon-painting/ https://healthyspirituality.org/lessons-from-icon-painting/#comments Tue, 19 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8875 True story about me: I flunked scissors in kindergarten. Yep, that is me. “Jean Anne needs more work with scissors and fine motor skills to pass this year.”  I did pass but I never forgot – I couldn’t cut. Fine motor talent wasn’t in my DNA. Not ability in finger agility. This is the narrative, […]

This post Lessons from Icon Painting was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/lessons-from-icon-painting/feed/ 6 Art, Healing, and Friendship https://healthyspirituality.org/art-healing-and-friendship/ https://healthyspirituality.org/art-healing-and-friendship/#comments Tue, 12 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8866 One my biggest pleasures writing online is the friendships God has given me over the years. Several of you I have met in person and most of you the online community is where we connect. Across the country and even the world (Hello South Africa!) we have bonded through sharing, conversations, and listening to another’s […]

This post Art, Healing, and Friendship was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/art-healing-and-friendship/feed/ 4 The Spiritual Gift of Imagination https://healthyspirituality.org/the-spiritual-gift-of-imagination/ https://healthyspirituality.org/the-spiritual-gift-of-imagination/#comments Tue, 05 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8863 I played in a spaceship when I was seven years old. I spent hours exploring new worlds found in my imagination while never really leaving my backyard. My spaceship? A stocky tree with great climbing branches planted next on the southeast corner of our house. Different limbs warped into sections of my spacecraft: the galley, […]

This post The Spiritual Gift of Imagination was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/the-spiritual-gift-of-imagination/feed/ 4 What is Saving My Life Right Now? – Spring 2026 https://healthyspirituality.org/what-is-saving-my-life-right-now-spring-2026/ https://healthyspirituality.org/what-is-saving-my-life-right-now-spring-2026/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8858 What’s saving my life right now?  Ever ask yourself this thought-provoking question? I find sitting with this question to be 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 […]

This post What is Saving My Life Right Now? – Spring 2026 was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/what-is-saving-my-life-right-now-spring-2026/feed/ 2 World Book Day https://healthyspirituality.org/world-book-day/ https://healthyspirituality.org/world-book-day/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8855 Did you know April 23 is World Book Day? The national celebration of reading and of books is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers. April 23, 1564, is the day English poet, playwright William Shakespeare was born. Fifty-three short years later, also on April […]

This post World Book Day was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/world-book-day/feed/ 2 Inspiration from a Favorite Movie and the Artemis II Space Launch https://healthyspirituality.org/inspiration-from-a-favorite-movie-and-the-artemis-ii-space-launch/ https://healthyspirituality.org/inspiration-from-a-favorite-movie-and-the-artemis-ii-space-launch/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8850 On our flight to Norway, I rewatched one of my favorite movies – Contact starting Jodi Foster. This movie has such a deep spirituality side that many people miss. Not just in the obvious story but often hidden in some of the lines spoken by the characters. Here are a few of the inspirational ones […]

This post Inspiration from a Favorite Movie and the Artemis II Space Launch was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/inspiration-from-a-favorite-movie-and-the-artemis-ii-space-launch/feed/ 7 A Delightful Mistake https://healthyspirituality.org/a-delightful-mistake/ https://healthyspirituality.org/a-delightful-mistake/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8846 I love to travel. I love to be home too. The comfort of routine. The adventure of seeing the world and gaining new perspectives. This year though I made a mistake, a delightful one, that involved our travels.  We booked a long overdue bucket list trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights for March. […]

This post A Delightful Mistake was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/a-delightful-mistake/feed/ 2 Entering the Sanctuary of Holy Week https://healthyspirituality.org/entering-the-sanctuary-of-holy-week/ https://healthyspirituality.org/entering-the-sanctuary-of-holy-week/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8842 We enter the sanctuary, the sacredness of Holy Week. I take the step over the threshold into God’s story. Ahh, take that deep breath and pause in God’s wonder and love. My hubby and I have been traveling and have another quick trip coming soon. What a blessing but (why do those “buts” always stop […]

This post Entering the Sanctuary of Holy Week was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/entering-the-sanctuary-of-holy-week/feed/ 2 Disarming our Language – A Lenten Practice https://healthyspirituality.org/disarming-our-language-a-lenten-practice/ https://healthyspirituality.org/disarming-our-language-a-lenten-practice/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8838 Are you ever shocked when you hear yourself say something that comes out of your mouth totally different from what you really meant to say?  Or get caught up with negative internal self-talk with words that you wouldn’t say to another person yet somehow mentioned to your own soul frequently? I read the phrase last […]

This post Disarming our Language – A Lenten Practice was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/disarming-our-language-a-lenten-practice/feed/ 4 Using Questions in Journal Writing https://healthyspirituality.org/using-questions-in-journal-writing/ https://healthyspirituality.org/using-questions-in-journal-writing/#comments Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8832 Questions are a powerful tool for spiritual growth and practices. I have found writing out the questions that are stirring in my heart in my journal has helped me grow, find direction and sometimes even healing in staying with the unknowns. The very act of finding the words to describe my questions brings clarity and […]

This post Using Questions in Journal Writing was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/using-questions-in-journal-writing/feed/ 4 Playing with My Word of the Year https://healthyspirituality.org/playing-with-my-word-of-the-year/ https://healthyspirituality.org/playing-with-my-word-of-the-year/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8827 I do love words and playing with words often brings joy, insights, and surprises. Words are tools for writers yet so much more. I see words as friends, teachers, and fellow travelers on my journey in life. My word of the year is WAY.  Instead of seriously studying this word and seeking stoic wisdom (which […]

This post Playing with My Word of the Year was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/playing-with-my-word-of-the-year/feed/ 2 Breath Prayers – a Lenten Practice https://healthyspirituality.org/breath-prayers-a-lenten-practice/ https://healthyspirituality.org/breath-prayers-a-lenten-practice/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8824 This season of Lent I have been intentionally slowing down and listening to God. The use of breath prayers has helped me in this practice. Breath prayers are short prayers said in one breath. Simple, repetitive and surprisingly ancient. The breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer […]

This post Breath Prayers – a Lenten Practice was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/breath-prayers-a-lenten-practice/feed/ 2 Lenten Listening https://healthyspirituality.org/lenten-listening/ https://healthyspirituality.org/lenten-listening/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8818 We have entered the Lenten season. Are you exploring any new Lenten practices? Sticking to the traditional ones of fasting, service, and repentance? Letting go of something tangible or even intangible like a mindset or way of reacting? It is not too late to answer the divine invitation to practice Lent.  Here are some thoughts […]

This post Lenten Listening was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/lenten-listening/feed/ 2 Four Somethings – 2026 Midwinter https://healthyspirituality.org/four-somethings-2026-midwinter/ https://healthyspirituality.org/four-somethings-2026-midwinter/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8814 I love to share Four Somethings – things I have read, seen, experienced that made me stop and savor life. One practice I frequently encourage is reflection – pausing and pondering where you are, where you have come from, and where is God inviting you into next.  I share bits of wisdom in four categories. […]

This post Four Somethings – 2026 Midwinter was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/four-somethings-2026-midwinter/feed/ 6 Lent: Thoughts, a Prayer, and a Poem https://healthyspirituality.org/lent-thoughts-a-prayer-and-a-poem/ https://healthyspirituality.org/lent-thoughts-a-prayer-and-a-poem/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8810 Ash Wednesday is Feb 18, and the season of Lent begins. I always consider this time as an invitation to slow down, listen, and experience God. I consider what spiritual practices sharpen my inner vision and open the ears of my heart in preparation for Easter. Lent is the 40-day period of deepening practices. Some […]

This post Lent: Thoughts, a Prayer, and a Poem was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/lent-thoughts-a-prayer-and-a-poem/feed/ 5 Visualizing My Word of the Year https://healthyspirituality.org/visualizing-my-word-of-the-year/ https://healthyspirituality.org/visualizing-my-word-of-the-year/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8803 I find the practice of visualization to be helpful in my journaling, prayers and discernment. Using God’s gift of imagination, I “see” what is possible and find hope and motivation. Having a picture or image of my word of the year reminds me to keep listening for its lessons and helps me focus and pay […]

This post Visualizing My Word of the Year was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/visualizing-my-word-of-the-year/feed/ 8 Letting Go and Creating Space in 2026 https://healthyspirituality.org/letting-go-and-creating-space-in-2026/ https://healthyspirituality.org/letting-go-and-creating-space-in-2026/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8781 Due to the predicted drifting snow and wind, I postposed a planning meeting with the worship team. We would meet a week later but still have time to get worship details organized for the upcoming season. The forecast foretold of difficult driving and no one wanted to be out on the roads. Guess what?  The […]

This post Letting Go and Creating Space in 2026 was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

]]> https://healthyspirituality.org/letting-go-and-creating-space-in-2026/feed/ 2 You Are More Fun than Bubble Wrap! https://healthyspirituality.org/you-are-more-fun-than-bubble-wrap/ https://healthyspirituality.org/you-are-more-fun-than-bubble-wrap/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://healthyspirituality.org/?p=8774 You are more fun than bubble wrap! You’re so thoughtful. Thank you for being my friend and listening. You are making a difference! Compliments – wow they can make our day, don’t they?  January 24 is National Compliment Day and a reminder to share compliments because they can change the world. The power of a […]

This post You Are More Fun than Bubble Wrap! was written by Jean Wise and first appeared on Healthy Spirituality.

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