Writing a Rule of Life Our in-depth topic on Thursdays this month has been on Writing a Rule of Life. We first looked at what a Rule of Life is and the benefits of writing one. Then last week we explored tips and examples. This week will share resources, quotes, and ongoing care and upkeep of our rules. Remember a Rule of Life is a collection of guidelines for living. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of balance by intentionally addressing all aspects of life: physical, emotional, socially, spiritually, etc. Resources for Writing a Rule of Life I found several books that were excellent is giving background, inspiration, and ideas for writing a Rule of Life. Of course I have to mention my own book, Creating a Rule of Life, Dancing to Divine Rhythms Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – has a great chapter of writing a Rule of Life and is newly revised. Living Faith Day by Day – Debra K. Farrington At Home in the World – a Rule of Life for the Rest of Us – Margaret Guenther … [Read more...]
LEAP YEAR TRIVIA!! What Will You Do with this One Extra Day in Your Life?
2016 has a gift for us. February 29 – one extra day. It's Leap Year!! Here are some fun things I learned about leap year: If you are born on February 29 you are called "leaplings" or "leapers". The reason for a leap year is that the earth takes a little longer than one year to travel around the sun. Impress your friends knowing that it actually take 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds! So over the centuries we added an extra day occasionally to account for this. The Romans were the first to designate February 29 as leap day but it wasn't until the 16th century we began to include a leap day in years only divisible by four - 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, etc. Another trivial rule is no year divisible by 100 is a leap year, except if it was divisible by 400. Thus, 1800 and1900 were not leap years, but 2000 was. Feb 29th isn’t the only extra time added to the calendar. In 2008 an extra second was added to the end of the year. And what about women proposing to men … [Read more...]
10 Tips for Writing a Rule of Life
Do you have a Rule of Life? A Rule of Life is identifying the essential spiritual elements in how you feel God wants you to live this human life. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. “A Rule of Life, very simply, is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do… The starting point and foundation of any Rule is a desire to be with God and to love him” Peter Scazzero For February's Tending the Holy Thursdays, we are exploring Writing a Rule of Life. Last week we looked at the what and why about writing a rule of life and today I will share tips for writing your own rule. Next week resources, quotes, and how to live your rule as an ongoing practice will be shared. 10 Tips for Writing a Rule of Life Immerse this whole practice from start to ongoing in prayer. Pray, listen, read, go deep – allow the words of your own rule to slowly emerge from deep within your soul. Create time and space for it to bud and blossom. Block off … [Read more...]
What Will Be Your Legacy? Writing Your Eulogy
If you were to die today what would your obituary say? What words would be shared at your funeral? Though a somber thought, thinking about this eventual fact of life makes me and perhaps you too - ponder our legacy. Ever hear the quote: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”? Thinking this was from Mark Twain, I did some research and discovered it is actually a misquote, somewhat based on an actual incident. You can read the full story here. But essentially he said, "The report of my death was an exaggeration.” So let's hope the report of any of our deaths is a false overstatement too, but imagine what would words would be used to describe your life? How would you like to be remembered? What will be your legacy? I began thinking about this when I wrote last month about Finding your Purpose series on Thursdays. I suggested this practice before on retreats and in presentations as something to try. But last week I read the new book, Living Forward, a Proven … [Read more...]
Writing a Rule of Life – What Are Your Spiritual Essentials?
Have you heard of a Rule of Life? Have you written your own Rule of Life? A Rule of Life is identifying the essential spiritual elements in how you feel God wants you to life this human life. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. It can also be called a Way of Life. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of balance by intentionally addressing all aspects of life: physical, emotional, socially, spiritually, etc. As part of my training as a spiritual director ten years ago, we were encouraged to write our Rule of Life. I keep a copy in my journal and my bible and often look at its wisdom. Am I adhering to my basic beliefs and do my thoughts and behavior mirror them? Over the years, I have revised them, but amazingly they are quite similar to what I originally wrote. I find having a Rule of Life helps me refocus on my deepest desire - to be with God, learn to love like him, and to serve him as he calls me. On Tending the Holy Thursdays, I present a topic that we … [Read more...]
Is Your Heart Prepared for Lent?
Lent begins this week. Are you ready? Is your heart prepared for Lent? I used to jump in at the last minute in my preparation for this solemn time of year pondering the time before Easter we call Lent. To be honest, often it would be two weeks into the season before I would think – “Wow, Easter seems early this year? Am I ready?” Of course, getting ready meant buying spring outfits for the kids and new shoes. Maybe decorating with rabbits and coloring Easter eggs. Ham for the big meal? Sunrise or regular services that morning? Don’t tell anyone, but often I would want to just skip the sad readings in my devotionals, the dreary February weather skies and hop right into green spring in Ohio. But now I prepare my heart for Lent differently. Perhaps because I am older and closer to death myself. Maybe the truth we call God’s love is finally sinking to my dry soul. I am more intentional about my Lenten practices now and dare I say, look forward to spending in-depth time … [Read more...]
Finding a Blessing in a Mistake
Ever find a blessing in a mistake? Last November, I made a mistake. Trying to provide more value for you as readers of this blog, I have been offering on some posts, an additional free item to deepen whatever the day's theme featured. For example, last Tuesday I offered a one page printable called Monthly Musings, to record your learnings and observations for the month. All I ask for in return is your email address. Simple, right? Well, not if how you set the system up is wrong. My fault. My error. My goof-up. I didn't follow the instructions correctly so when someone clicked on the button requesting the freebie, entered their email - well, they got nothing... crickets...WHERE'S MY GIFT????? Ironically what item they were requesting was my 50 Questions to Nurture Gratitude. I certainly didn't feel very grateful once I learned the system wasn't working. A fellow blogger was the one to let me know - thank you, Martha - and I soon corrected it (though to be honest I … [Read more...]
January’s Monthly Musings – What I am Observing and Learning in this Wild Adventure of Life.
What are Monthly Musings? For the last few months at the beginning of the month, I share lessons I learned from the previous month. I call these my Monthly Musings (I have a free cheat sheet if you want to help with this practice you (see end of this post) and/or a printed book, Monthly Musings Journal, available on Amazon if you are interested). These are ways to incorporate the spiritual practice of reflection into your life and often I see God's touch and presence more in this rearview mirror look-back on life. January Monthly Musings Lessons Learned: Patience! No, I haven't learned this lesson completely yet and wonder if I ever will, but God sure took me into the classroom in January. Technology can be wonderful when it works, but when your computer quits, the frustration erupts. And for someone who writes, the irritation grows exponentially. My poor laptop is back in the shop for a second time and the reality that I may have lost several years of work is looming. Yes, I … [Read more...]