Monthly Musings – What I Learned in June
Monthly Musings
Each month I pause and take a look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings.
Living a reflective life is a spiritual practice that adds depth and gratitude to our lives. Often our busy schedules make it difficult to keep a daily journal, but we can find the time to take notes of the some of the highlights, lessons, and joys by waking up and paying attention.
I record these on the pages of my Monthly Musing Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musing Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep track of the little things in life we often miss.
What I Learned in June
Lessons Learned
Grandchildren are a great source of wisdom. I shared earlier this month about when I was finishing Sunday’s children message about how when we go on a vacation we can take God with us when my grandson said in a confident, passionate voice – “Jesus lives in my heart, you know.” End of message – that was all that was needed.
He is the same boy when frustrated with life, collapses in a bundle of hot tears. Been there and know how he feels, right? His mom will calmly say “Use your words, not tears to tell me what is wrong and to express your feelings.” Wisdom there too.
I find articulating my emotions, finding the exact word to describe how I am feeling – names them and gathers them into a controllable corral where I can sort them into more handle pieces. “Use my words” is a lesson learned this month.
Wise Words to Remember:
God does not hurry over things; time is his, not mine. And I, little creature, man, have been called to be transformed into God by sharing his life. And what transforms me is the charity which he pours into my heart. Love transforms me slowly into God. But sin is still there, resisting this transformation, knowing how to, and actually saying ‘no’ to love. Living in our selfishness means stopping at human limits and preventing our transformation into Divine Love.
Carlo Carretto
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Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself. Yielding to these persuasions, gladly committing ourselves in body and soul, utterly and completely, to the Light Within, is the beginning of true life.
Thomas Kelly
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Good Reads:
Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. Interesting true story about this unknown to me story. Reminds me how much dedication, time, blood sweat and tears goes into this level of competition.
Entering the Castle – Finding the Inner Path to God and your Soul’s Purpose by Caroline Myss. Just starting this contemplative book based on Teresa of Avails Interior Castle. This book will take time to digest and slowly absorbed its wisdom. Lots of highlighting so far and journal notes.
Mere Spirituality – the Spiritual Life According to Henry Nouwen by Will Hernandez. This book just arrived and anything looking at the wise words from Henri Nouwen is always special for me. Looking forward to reading this.
Terrific Tools and Tips
I love packing cubes. I am using these for our trip to Germany and so far love how they work and all the space it saved. Will let you know how wrinkled clothes became but so far this is the product of the year as far as I am concerned.
Word of the Month:
Tickety-boo – great delightful word to say. One of our tour guides in England said this all the time so it is an expression full of wonderful memories too. It’s a British term meaning I am just fine.
“Yes, yes–I’m tickety-boo, just tickety-boo.”
And a bonus word this month: Mugwump – a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, especially in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue. In our current political climate, we may be hearing this word quite a bit!
As you read this on June 30, I am someplace over the Atlantic Ocean, flying back to the States from Germany. Will share soon with you all about what I learned and saw in that country.
I compiled my Monthly Musings outline plus additional information in a book, a two-year journal that is available on Amazon. I don’t want to lose the loose sheets of paper and think having it in a book form will make it more of a keepsake. Would love to have you order one and leave a review!
If you want the free Monthly Musing download sheet, just click this button
.Click here to request your Monthly Musings Printable
What did you learn in June? Please share – I would love to hear how you are growing and thriving in 2016.
I, too, loved Boys in the Boat. Daniel James Brown is a top-notch author, isn’t he? He makes the reader care about those boys, the coach, the boat builder, etc. He explained precisely how the sport of rowing works–no confusion, even for the uninformed like me. I loved the way he shifted back and forth between events in Germany and events here. And last, what a stellar job he did at the climax of the story creating such tension, the reader cannot possibly put the book down!
As for one thing I learned in June: God always puts us in a place where we can flourish (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Isn’t that encouraging and uplifting? Our pastor spoke those words a couple of Sundays ago. Looking back on my life, I couldn’t help but agree. Flourishing has included lessons to learn, relationships to build and enjoy, ways to serve. Now I need to ask: How might I best flourish here and now–for the glory of God?
Always enjoy the interesting bits you gather for these end-of-the-month musings, Jean!
love the word – flourish. sticks with you, doesn’t it? Love that question too. good thoughts, Nancy!
Thank you, Jean!
“’Use my words’ is a lesson learned this month.” Sometimes the simple lessons are the best.
Isn’t Boys in the Boat so interesting? I really enjoyed it, once I got past the intro. I’m glad you’re reading Entering the Castle too. I’m trying not to get bogged down in it but continue moving forward. I’m in Mansion Two, but with all the reflection questions, I’m going slowly.
Praying for safe journeys home! I’ll look forward to hearing what you thought about the packing cubes. This is the first I’ve heard of them….
loved the packing cubes! They really saved space. We need to replace out suitcases soon and think we are going to purchase a smaller size since the cubes worked so well. I think I will make these the purchase of the year.
Cannot wait to hear all about your trip, Jean. Safe travels!