Who are you – the followers and friends of this blog? The results of the 2016 Healthy Spirituality survey are in, compiled, studied, scrutinized, and celebrated.
Thank you for all of you who took the time to answer my questions. Your kind comments warmed and encouraged my heart and your honest sharing fostered a deepening connection and compassion for all of you. Again, thank you. You are the best!
Results of the 2016 Healthy Spirituality Survey
Three of the biggest challenges we all face are summarized here:
- We share a deep desire to stay consistent and focused on God during the daily grind, distractions, and detours that we face. We want to grow in our daily practices and not drift away from God. We hunger to draw closer to him, not be sidetracked away from him .
- We want to trust that God is in control. We long to know and hear his voice. We wish we were more patient.
- We yearn to remember and stay mindful of God. We crave being more aware of his presence, knowing God is with us, even with health and family difficulties and when we don’t feel loved and valued by others. That ache is deep within many of our hearts and souls.
Blog Topics and New Ideas Results
Favorite blog topics include spiritual practices, prayer, quotes, and stories of people of faith. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of you positively commenting about my monthly musings column too. Watch for more of those next year.
Several new ideas emerged. Many people wrote about a sense to creating community in the world. I too have been hearing that in my readings and prayers.
Living simply, and learning more about silence, spiritual direction, meditation, centering prayer, and prayer journaling were also favored.
Next Steps
I used these challenges and insights to create monthly themes and potential post ideas for 2017 to explore on this blog. I am always open to suggestions from any of you so please add to the conversation.
We are all beloved children of God, walking together on this amazing journey of life. I want this space to be a place of learning, growing, encouraging, and being. Onward to the new year!
Any additional ideas, insights, and innovative topics you want to add to the list? Do you agree with the description of the challenges and see yourself there?
Hi Jean! Well, I didn’t fill out your survey, but I think that you know I think much the same way you do. I like discovering new faith communities as you presented last year. I also like the theme idea, and the printables to help reflect on them… You do a lot here! I hope 2017 will be another year of reflection and inspiration for you. We all benefit, that’s for sure.
Blessings,
Ceil
PS I hope your Christmas was blessed and bright!
Thanks for the feedback Ceil. I was fascinated as I began thinking more about community that that showed up on the survey too. amazing confirmation. Hope your Christmas went well too. We all got sick here but all recovered now and had a delightful family weekend last weekend. Late but got together. Such a blessing
I am honored to be a member of the Healthy Spirituality community where people desire an intimate relationship with God characterized by practicing His presence, hearing His voice, trusting His decisions, praying to Him in more meaningful ways, etc. Thank you, Jean, for your guidance in developing these aspects of our relationship with God.
And I am honored to have you here too. I love your comments. Interesting wasn’t it to see the characteristic of my readers. Thanks for always visiting, Nancy
You’re welcome! I greatly appreciate your encouragement over at “From the Inside Out” also.
Thanks so much for sharing these results with your readers, Jean! I’m looking forward to a brand new year of learning and growing closer to God at Healthy Spirituality.
Blessings!
I thought people might be interested. Isn’t it neat we have this full year of life ahead of us?