March Monthly Musings
Wow the first quarter of the year is gone, evaporated, finished and departed. Where does time go? I know writing these monthly musings helps me pause, reflect and appreciate the gift of time and life.
Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living this reflective practice helps me slow down and savor this precious gift of life we’ve been given and all the gifts to be discovered given by such a loving, gracious God. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us, especially at this most sacred time of year.
I record what I notice 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. Or if you want to click the button at the end of this post to get a FREE copy of my one sheet Monthly Musing handout.
What I Learned in March
Monthly Musing Lesson Learned:
I am learning to SLOOOOOOW DOOOOOWN. This is hard for me to do and even harder to decelerate my thoughts which race ahead of my actions and words.
On my annual silent retreat a few weeks ago, I deliberately slowed my eating, reading, and walking. I observed. I lingered. I savored life and all the gifts it brings. I felt rested, centered, and able to hear God deeply.
Amazingly, I re-entered the routine back at home and immediately resumed the hamster wheel. Until last week. Remembering how much better I felt not being rushed, I am now pausing more during the day, slowing a bit, taking deep breathes and enjoying life.
I have also felt more depth this year in Lent. I have journaled and prayed longer. I cherish the stories I hear from people I know and from the words I read. I have intentionally practiced no impulse buying and non-thinking eating. To be honest, the impulse buying has been successful – but I have failed at controlling mindless eating. More work to be done.
Good quote from Evelyn Underhill about Lent:
Lent is a good moment for a spiritual stocktaking; a pause, a retreat from life’s busy surface to its solemn deeps. There we can consider our possessions; and discriminate between the necessary stores which have been issued to us, and must be treasured and kept in good order, and the odds and ends which we have accumulated for ourselves…. There are few who cannot benefit by a bit-by-bit examination of that equipment, a humble return to first principles; for there we find the map and road-book of that spiritual world which is our true environment.
Monthly Musing Good Reads and Book Finds:
Do you find yourself constantly checking emails or looking at your phone? This article called This Is How To Stop Checking Your Phone: 5 Secrets From Research convicted me of the addiction of my IPhone. Interesting read.
I enjoyed this article called “8 Words and Phrases We Should Use Again.” Any other word nerds among us?
“Lexicographers have to dig deeper into the language, down to the mucky bottom, which means that occasionally we run across a rare gem of a word that’s been sludged under.”
Hopefully this article with “gruntle” your heart. Click here for the article.
Last month I introduced to this community the Healthy Spirituality Monthly Book Chat. Last month’s book was Philip Cousineau’s The Art of Pilgrimage and coming up in a few weeks will be Macrina Wiederkehr’s Seven Sacred Pauses.
New books on my nightstand to read:
Addicted to Hurry – Spiritual Strategies for Slowing Down by Kirk Byron Jones
The Complete Enneagram – 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Beatrice Chestnut
Monthly Musing Wise Words to Remember:
In those times, I can’t seem to find God, I rest in the assurance that He knows how to find me.
Neva Coyle
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Let us slow down enough to truly notice all that is presenting itself to us as a blessing.
Kristi Nelson
Terrific Tools and Tips or Innovative Ideas I Discovered:
Last month I mentioned new tool:
Travel Scale –I really liked this scale. Easy to transport and if I stood still, accurate. I still enjoyed the food and did gain weight on our vacation to Florida, but at least I was aware of how I was doing and felt I returned to my Weight Watchers regime more quickly.
Literary Light switch covers – so cute and much needed in my office, don’t you think?
Do you think you know all what you should know about common pen and paper? Here is a free course on the proper way to use these tools. The one on legible handwriting helped me the most.
I love DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith division for my prayer journaling. Here is my find of month from them:
And this little fellow is coming with me the end of April for my newest grandchild:
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If you want a copy of my cheat sheet I have made it into a free downloadable printable and you can just the button to get the free printable. I compiled these sheets 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. Keep all YOUR musings in one place.
Click here to request your Monthly Musings Printable
What did you learn in March? As April unfolds, I will be reflecting on my recent retreat and the Macrina Wiederkehr book, so watch for those posts.
Please share – I would love to hear about your journey and all your life lessons.
Hi Jean! That light switch is adorable, I definitely think you should have it in your office. It would match any color decor.
I was given an adult coloring book from Christmas, and your post reminded me of it. I should use it to slow down, and get my mind off the day-to-day.
You had a March full of growth, and now on to April!
Ceil
I definitely need that light switch in my office. LOL But since I am supposed to be giving up impulse buying for Lent it will have to wait. HA! That adult coloring book sounds great. I have collected a couple of books on calligraphy that I need to get into.
A heart bypass surgery three months ago has slowed me down to a crawl. At first it was easy because it still hurt to move much but slowly I am recovering and I do more each week. I was convicted from the beginning to use my time wisely, enjoy the “rest” from a normal life. Being a type A Martha makes it frustrating at times to be limited but God is teaching me again to be a quiet still Martha. I have a stack of books to read though, tons of blogs to gleam from so I am enjoying being limited more than I ever have. Good post.
wow that certainly was an unexpected way of slowing down. Love your wisdom of using your time well and openness to learn new lessons from all life events. God does want to teach us if we pay attention. Thanks for leaving a comment!
P.S. Congrats on your newest grandchild 🙂
Thanks Dolly, He was born Oct. 10 – can’t wait to hold him again soon, very soon
Jean,
Ah, I am longing to go on a silent retreat. Sounds like you had a wonderful month 🙂 I had to chuckle at your comment about eating…And the Neva Coyle quote…blessing to you, Joy buddy <3
Dolly I have to intentionally find, schedule then guard my dates for my silent retreat. Life likes to steal that time from me If I am not careful!
Always fun to look through your favorites, Jean. I’ve been thinking lately I need more legible handwriting so I’m particularly interested in that one! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lisa. I have been thinking of taking some of those online calligraphy courses so I learn better handwriting. Have you checked out some of the fun courses on Skillshare? I have been thinking of joining and learning some new things.
No, I haven’t done anything on Skillshare. Sounds like something else that I need to check out! 🙂
What I learned in March, I’m still digesting, Jean, but will be writing a series of posts beginning this Friday about how God reached out to Danny and me when we needed Him the most. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever needed God’s presence more than I did last week. Oh, how He has blessed us both!
A new grandchild? How exciting! Hope you will share more about the little one here once he/she is born.
Blessings always!
will look forward to your next post. God is always teaching us, isn’t he? Such a good God! Not a new grandchild but newer on. He was born last October. We don’t live too close so we don’t get to see him as often as I would like. Can’t wait to hold him the end of April