In January I shared here on Healthy Spirituality my theme for the year for this blog: WWW. WWW stands for wisdom, wonder, and whimsey. I heard these words a few years ago and been thinking of studying them deeper, possibly expanding them into book(s). Why not start that journey with you all here on the blog to see if there is interest, enough "legs" to become book-worthy and to expand my own insight into these themes? Wonder had its first appearance here and today I start down the Whimsey Way. On that initial post I wrote, "Isn't whimsey a fun word? It tickles the tongue and brings smiles to hearts. I tend to be too serious and not take the time for joy and delight found in life. We have a God of joy and delight, One who takes delight in us too and I know I am missing this aspect in my relationship with God. The deep dive into the world of wonder will bring me to gratitude and I think I will find joy there too, but I want to explore how joy is also found in creativity, colors, … [Read more...]
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Fasting
Ash Wednesday begins this week, marking the first day of Lent as we turn our hearts and minds toward Good Friday. Then we can celebrate Jesus's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday On Ash Wednesday, many churches hold a special worship service where the people are blessed with ashes, typically marking their foreheads with the sign of the cross. The blessing typically comes with a reminder that we all come from ashes, and to ashes, we all will return. The marking of the forehead has been a known custom since Pope Gregory the Great in 604. It has been said to have a twofold purpose, one being the ashes were marked for humility and mortality and then also for sorrow and repentance. In the 12th century, the rule developed that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Many parishes today invite parishioners to bring such palms to church before Lent begins and have a ritual burning of the palms after Mass. The custom of repenting … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in February
February Monthly Musings Ah, February – the month of love. I reread and shared with several spiritual direction companions this month, Father Pedro Arrupe's prayer about falling in love with God. His words lingered in my heart this month. Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. I sat with God, soaking in his love this month. Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders … [Read more...]
Here It Comes Again – Lent Will Soon Be Here
Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season and in 2019 will be March 6. How about some quick facts about Lent? First, what is Lent? It’s not the fibers in your dryer…that’s “lint.” Lent is the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” meaning spring. The symbolism of 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry and being tempted by Satan. I like the sound of spring but hesitate at the temptation and wilderness portion. LOL Purple is typically associated with Lent, suggesting repentance and solemnity. Purple, as all colors, is full of symbolism. Its deep dark richness invites us to slow down and consider the sacrifices Jesus did for us. In most Christian denominations, Lent starts with Ash Wednesday, which is derived from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance to God. The ashes are … [Read more...]
10 Lessons from 10 Years of Blogging
10 Years. 10 Lessons. Yes, on February 20, 2009, this blog, Healthy Spirituality, was born. And now more than 1500 posts later, I am amazed 10 years have flown by. Wow! Some of you have been with me from early on, every week – thank you. Some of you joined along the way – thank you. Some of you are new friends – thank you. To celebrate I am giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one of you. Just leave a comment below by midnight Sunday, Feb. 17 2019 and a winner will be chosen by random. I will email that person early next week and announced the winner too on the Feb 19, 2019 blog post. Again thank you for being part of my little celebration and our Healthy Spirituality Community. Did you know we have a Healthy Spirituality Facebook group where we share inspiration and our walk together in faith? Hop over to Facebook and search for Healthy Spirituality Community and join us. It's free! FYI – the behind the scenes crazy tech update of this blog is almost completed – So far … [Read more...]
Do You Wonder about Wonder?
I am wondering about wonder. This word is one of my three WWW's I am exploring in 2019. I introduced this theme last month and will periodically write about each of the W's throughout the year. WWW stands for wisdom, wonder, and whimsey. I felt God inviting me into these three words several years ago and been thinking of studying them deeper, possibly expanding them into a book(s). Why not start that journey with you all here on the blog to see if there is interest, enough "legs" to become book-worthy and to expand my own insight into these themes? I am starting my WWW journey with this word since Socrates wisely advised us that “wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” What is Wonder? A definition is always a good place to start. Wonder can be both a noun and a verb. The dictionary states that to wonder is "to think or speculate curiously or to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel." As a noun, it can be "something strange and surprising; a cause of surprise, … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in January
January Monthly Musings I am not a winter person (it's cold and snowy in northwest Ohio where it tends to have endless dreary cloudy days too). BUT I do love the fresh start of a new year. I am grateful for January – new beginnings, looking forward to a full year of surprises and life and my obsession with organizing that hits a frenzy this time of year. How has January greeted your spirit? Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musing Journal. You can use anything, scraps 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 … [Read more...]
Where Does God Fit into our Schedule?
Where Does God Fit into our Schedule? Face it. We are busy. Busyness is a badge of honor anymore – but one that wears quite thin for me. Life interrupts. People interfere. Chores need to be done. Others want and need our presence, love, and hugs. Saying yes and wanting to help with good intentions overwhelm our calendars. Unexpected detours arise. Emails and text messages chirp. Instant responses are the assumption. Facebook and Pinterest lure our attention and drain our time. We set goals then wake up later realizing how far behind we are doing the things that really matter. Exhaustion and distraction rule our lives more than our dreams and deeper desires. Where does God fit into our schedule? This is a question I have been pondering and want to explore more now and throughout this year. My desire is to have my life, my time, my schedule built upon God, not upon the weak crumbling foundation of busyness. Jesus didn't rush through life. I haven't found a parable describing … [Read more...]