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Pay Attention to the Sparks – October’s Monthly Musings

October 29, 2015 By Jean Wise

Monthly musings journal

“Pay attention to the sparks.”

I heard Problogger Darren Rowse share this wisdom on a periscope yesterday. He was referring to making note of all those gems of ideas that come along, often unexpectedly, nurse them and they could just be the “next big thing” in your life.

What is periscope you ask? It is live streaming video. You can check out my somewhat awkward attempt at broadcasting in this new medium at this site: https://katch.me/Jeanwise

Paying attention to the sparks is also a way to live a more reflective life – a great spiritual practice – and to capture those moments/tips/words of wisdom that mean so much to us, but we often forget. This method appeals to me because it is so hard to capture and remember good moments when life is moving so quickly and with so much noise.

Each month I share insights, tidbits of wisdom, resources I have discovered and life in general that I have observed in this feature called Monthly Musings.

Monthly Musings – October:

Lessons learned:

Life sure is easier when you don’t break a toe. OUCH!

Good intentions just don’t get things done. Several times this month I had to remember to focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking just doesn’t work.

One of the best podcasts I heard this month was by Michael Hyatt, titled, The Treasure in the Trial. Here is the link to listen to it: worth your time!!

You can asked yourself all sorts of questions when going through a tough time: why me? Why can’t I be enough? Why now?

Instead Michael encourages us to ask: What has this made possible?

Isn’t that a great way to reframe how we look upon the difficulties of life and find its gift?

Good Reads:

I am still savoring Brene Brown’s book, Rising Strong and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. 

Wise Words to Remember:

“I’m a late bloomer but anybody who comes into bloom is very very lucky.”

Sharon Olds.

Terrific Tools and Fantastic Finds:

I am loving my new smartphone stand. Now I can find my phone on my desk and it looks so neat – just trying to fool people in thinking I am cool and organized.

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Joys and Delights:

Creating an altar by the place where I pray.

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Having long overdue lunch with friends.

Grateful for hot water when our hot water tanked quit unexpectedly.

Memories to hold:

Going to the Horseshoe to watch our Buckeyes win.

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Seeing the sky one morning explode in brilliant pinks like God’s bubble gum and then watching the trees turn canary yellow when the Master artist highlighted autumn.

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Favorite posts:

What Symbols Encircle You in Your Portrait?

Spiritual FAQ’s

Darren Rowse, the Problogger I mentioned at the beginning of this post, who said “Pay attention to the sparks”, finished his periscope with two great questions he asks at the end of each day.

What did I do today that gave me energy?

What did I do today that gave others energy?

I often close each day with the question: What am I most grateful for?

Recording these bits of life each month has shown me times for thankfulness and times of meaning in my life. I love capturing them so created a cheat sheet to help record my observations and fun finds as the month progressed.(see the end of this post to find out how to get a copy).

What did you learn in October?

 

If you want a copy of my cheat sheet I have made it into a free downloadable printable and you can request on in the window below. I finished compiling these sheets plus additional information in a book, a two-year journal that is NOW 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. Click the button to get the free printable and if you would like check out my book on Amazon.

Click here to request your Monthly Musings Printable

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Filed Under: spiritual lessons

Comments

  1. blanksandraj says

    November 3, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    Hi, dropping by from Emily’s. Enjoyed your recommendations re: “sparks” and the Michael Hyatt podcast. Blessings to you today!

    • blankJean Wise says

      November 3, 2015 at 10:17 pm

      That podcast was really good. glad we have connected. Blessing to you too

  2. blankCeil says

    November 1, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Hi Jean! You are so inspiring to me, just jumping into all these new things! I feel so overwhelmed with just writing, that your steps forward seem like giant strides. You are my hero!
    Your Periscope is so cool! And I love the idea of paying attention to ‘sparks’. Remember that passage from Paul that talks about sparks darting around a campfire? I have always loved that passage. There’s just something about candlelight and sparks…
    Keep on sparkin’ my friend!
    Ceil

    • blankJean Wise says

      November 2, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      I feel God is stretching me in many new areas this year. Once I step out of that comfort zone, I feel like it is a wild adventure with him. I am NOT a hero, – told God this morning, I want to be faithful and spread his message, not my ego. Praying that is the narrow road I stay on. Periscope is sure different. Not 100% convinced yet if I will continue to do broadcasts. I think about it yet keep finding excuses…lol.
      Keep paying attention to your sparks, Ceil. I need to find that passage about Paul and the campfire, can’t recall that one and would be a good one to add. Thanks.. You too keep sparkin’

      • blankCeil says

        November 2, 2015 at 5:27 pm

        Wisdom 3:1-9 I heard it today at church! Still looking for the Paul passage…

        • blankJean Wise says

          November 3, 2015 at 9:00 am

          you are so sweet to find that scripture for me. I really do need to study those Wisdom books more. lots of treasures in there. Deep in my heart I want to write a book about wisdom – just not ready yet. Thanks again.

  3. blankPaula White says

    October 30, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    What a great post! I am listening to Brene’s new book on audible. Going to check out the treasure in the trials. Thanks for visiting my blog too!

    • blankJean Wise says

      October 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      Fun to connect with another Brene fan. I think you will like Michael Hyatt stuff too. Thanks for coming over and leaving a comment, Paula

  4. blankDawn Klinge says

    October 30, 2015 at 11:51 am

    I like that idea, of creating an altar at the place where you pray. <3 Yours is beautiful.

    • blankJean Wise says

      October 30, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Dawn thanks for stopping by. I know the altar was a wonderful addition to my sacred space. Even just the practice of lighting the candle each morning helps me center. glad we connected today

  5. blankLyli Dunbar says

    October 29, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Loved this, Jean. It paired nicely with my reading of Emily Freeman’s Simply Tuesday where she talked about “sparks.” 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      October 30, 2015 at 11:14 am

      Thanks Lyli. I am blessed we have kept in touch. Have a great weekend.

  6. blankMartha Orlando says

    October 29, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    So excited about your new book, Jean! I will definitely order a copy soon. I need to do a better job keeping track of everything. Blessings!

    • blankJean Wise says

      October 29, 2015 at 3:12 pm

      Thanks Martha. I know it has helped me to keep all the adventures together and just think what a neat journal/keepsake it will become.

  7. blankChristopher Jennings Penders says

    October 29, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Paying Attention to the Sparks:

    Hi Jeanie:
    One of the things that I do is keep a notebook by my bed at night so that when/if I wake up in the middle of the night if I have something running through my head I write it down. I used to say oh, I’ll remember that. Countless times I’d wake up and NOT remember. Now I no longer worry about that. Sometimes I use my iPhone’s voice recorder too.
    —
    Chris

    • blankJean Wise says

      October 29, 2015 at 3:11 pm

      Love this idea, Chris. I even have one of those aqua pads in my shower. Now that is a great place for the sparks to fly LOL

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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