Listening is a skill we all can improve in. This is one reason by Becky Harling’s new book, How to Listen so People will Talk, Build Stronger Communication and Deeper Connection, appealed to me. I know I don’t listen well. This is hard to admit for someone who is a spiritual director, but when I am listening to someone in that type of setting, I intentionally focus on hearing both the spoken and unspoken words. I quiet myself and pray to have my ego step out of the way. It is hard work, but I have learned to listen better through this practice. But problem is I forget to bring that skill into my other communications. Too often I allow my mind to drift, to rehearse my response, and let lose my mouth to interrupt. I talk when silence or just my presence would be the better gift to the other. I've written about my half listening before on this post. Listening is key to all relationships. As the author writes, “I wanted to be a wise woman who listened and invested in her … [Read more...]
Exploring the Windows into Wonder
Wonder is September’s Tending the Holy Thursday theme. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore in depth over several weeks. Last week we explored what wonder is and today let’s find windows into wonder. The wonders from God are all around us – we don’t pay attention and miss them daily. Where do we find these openings, these sacred skylights, into the world of wonder? Each month I also include a free download to accompany the month’s topic. This month I have for you a one page “10 Ways to Wake Up your Wonder.” This printable is available at no cost by clicking the button at the end of this post. Enjoy! Wonder Like a Child When my granddaughter, Kyla was only one, I wrote this in my journal. “I was fascinated watching Kyla today. She looked intently at the ordinary river rocks, spied just the one she wanted and gingerly picked it up like it was the most precious stone on earth. She held it tenderly in her hands, murmur baby talk … [Read more...]
How Do We Pray?
How do we pray? Prayer is one of the most referred to topics here on Healthy Spirituality. I believe prayer is an essential tool in our spiritual growth and knowing/worshiping God. A few month ago, the research organization, Barna, released the results of a study about how American adults prayed. They asked questions of a sampling of 1015 U. S, adults in June 2017. Self-identified Christians and past Christians comprise 888 respondents. You can read the report here for more details and some interesting graphics. How Do We Pray? Barna acknowledged that prayer is not only the most frequently faith practice, but is also complex and multifaceted. There are all sorts of prayers and ways of praying. Here are some of the insight I learned from this study: How do we pray? Amazingly 94% reported that they prayed at least once in the last three months, most often praying by themselves. Prayer was practiced alone and in silence with only 13% saying their prayers were audible. I can … [Read more...]
An Introduction to Wonder
Ever wonder about wonder? Wonder is September’s Tending the Holy Thursday theme. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore in depth over several weeks. Each month I also include a free download to accompany the month’s topic. This month I have for you a resource called “10 Ways to Wake Up your Wonder.” This printable is available at no cost by clicking the button at the end of this post. Enjoy! What is wonder? A good place to start is exploring definitions. Take a moment and think about it. What other words come to mind? Awe Fear Amazement Astonishment Beyond Words Reverence Marvel What would you add? According to the dictionary, this experience is “a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable." Another way of saying this is: "rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's … [Read more...]
A Testament of Devotion
Devotion. How can we cultivate a deeper devotion to God? This is one question I ask frequently in my prayers and my journal. A question I hear in my spiritual direction practice. A question that arises from the hearts of the readers of this blog. I was pondering this the other day when I saw a book, an old friend, on my shelf that I hadn’t read for a while: A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly. What a great find to reread and savor once again. A Testament of Devotion practically jumped into my hands. I wanted to find a classic to feature as this month’s Healthy Spirituality Book Chat and instead of my searching for one, it found me! “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.” A Testament of Devotion The theme of this book is the discovery and exploration of the presence of God within us. Basically, A Testament of Devotion is five essays, titled: The … [Read more...]
The Power of Nature – Monthly Musings
Behold the power of nature! Nature takes center stage in this month’s reflections and gathering of thoughts. Normally I share a variety of ideas each month, but today instead I am overwhelmed by nature so will focus only on one topic. Each month I pause and 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. Usually at this point on this post, I mention my Monthly Musing Journal available on Amazon or the free downloadable one sheet to record your musings. But today I am more reflective and feel like skipping them this month. My Monthly Musing lesson learned and my one and only topic this month: Behold the Power of Nature! Two weeks ago, we were all enthralled by the solar … [Read more...]
Fueling Our Faith Through Prayer Journaling
Have you tried prayer journaling? I am an avid journal keeper and I fully understand this is not everyone’s favorite practice. But writing our prayers in a journal can be a wonderful spiritual discipline. At the very least, this practice records our prayers. Why Write Out Our Prayers in Prayer Journaling? Writing helps us to articulate our relationship with God. We find the words to express our concerns and even our faith when writing them out on the pages. Gives us a place and process to organize our thoughts. I often see themes emerge as I write. What a safe place to explore our hopes, dreams, fears, joys, and concerns. Provides a record for my answered prayer and for insights over time as we pray. Keeps prayers and conversations with God we have so they’re not forgotten I hear myself in my journal – so often our voice is drowned out by the noise of the world and my own internal chattering I miss my true desires and what God is whispering to me. Sometimes I am surprised … [Read more...]
17 Powerful Quotes about Community
Community – Community has been the August’s Tending the Holy Thursday theme. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore in depth over several weeks. The past three weeks, we have explored this topic by looking at the spiritual practice of community, how to build community through questions and listening, and ideas about living with community in times of conflict and confusion. Today I am sharing quotes about community. Pick one or two to take into your prayers. Copy them into your journal and write out how the words resonate/challenge you. Bring one quote to a small group or when you have dinner with friends for discussion. 17 Quotes about Community I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap. Ani DiFranco With all things and in all things, we are relatives. Native American (Sioux) Proverb We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human … [Read more...]