Two-Word Wisdoms

Paying attention is one of the most essential spiritual practices we can activate in our journey through life. I find when I notice, when I am stay awake, I see, hear, learn, and grow most in how God is calling me. God’s gifts surround us all the time if we just open our eyes to discover them.

Something “odd” has been popping up around me in the last six months in all sorts of places and sticking to my heart and soul – two-word phrases. I read these bits of wisdom, can’t stop thinking about them and then talking to God about them. I write about them in my journal. One phrase grows deeper into practice and some have actually helped to heal wounds and relationships. I love their simplicity in remembering them. They are lightweight and tuck into my heart easily.

I thought I would share some of these two-word wisdoms I have been collecting with you today:

1. Forgive Often – I read this phrase in a book titled The Fourth Quarter of Your Life. A book full of various ideas and wisdom on how to best live the last part of your life. Forgiving is difficult. I think it is hard for all of us. Forgiving others. Forgiving ourselves. And to be honest forgiving God at times. But the trigger word and the word that really helped me this time was its companion word: often. Saying those two words together: “forgive often” made it easier, no, not easier- I struggle to find the right word, maybe quicker to forgive. It was like the offense didn’t cling as tightly to my soul when I lived by the mantra to forgive often. When I wake up each morning forgiving often or each moment knowing I forgive often and without delay, I feel lighter. I will be honest telling you this didn’t go smoothly every time, but I try and when I am able to put this phrase into practice – wow – what a release – a freedom. A new perspective to forgiveness I never knew before by adding a simple word – OFTEN. And a phrase I hope to whisper in my soul the rest of my life.
2. Love Always – When I am not sure what is the next right thing to do I choose the most loving action. What is the kindest step to show for others, for myself, for my community? Love is always the best answer and will lead me forward. Love always.
3. Pay Attention – As I mention above, I believe paying attention is an essential practice in our spiritual walk. To notice as much as I can each day to God’s presence. To beauty. To life. There is so much negativity occurring in our world right now, paying attention is hard work but goodness IS there. When we look a little harder we will find it and this gives me hope.
4. Walk Daily – Getting in my steps and using my Fitbit each day keeps me healthier and I feel flexible. I may not lose weight, but I do feel better in my joints and general wellness as I age.
5. Timed Eating – I like this phrase better than intermittent fasting. This phrase sounds more positive, don’t you think? I feel better when I eat a bit later in the morning and don’t snack after dinner at night. I don’t follow this 100% but when I do I notice a difference in how I sleep and feel.
6. For Now – This phrase appears in two different posts and from different point of views. Friend, writer and fellow blogger Lisa Burgess wrote about these words on a recent blog post suggesting sometimes two word phrases could act as an obstacle. I had never considered that before in my Polly Anna optimistic adoption to these phrases. For Now hold both the possibility of hope and of letting go. I encourage you to read and ponder her wise words. For Now – Emily Freeman also wrote about this phrase on Substack a few weeks ago and this is one I thought held lots of wisdom and hope. She shared, “Because it’s one thing to say I don’t know what I’m doing. But it’s an entirely other thing to say I don’t know what I’m doing for now.” In the same piece she also write about collecting mantras – “I have a few mantras I pull out of my pocket when I find myself in an unfamiliar place. By the way, when I say mantra what I mean for you to hear is a phrase I repeat on the regular for the sake of grounding, memory, or hope.” I guess I am not the only one using this two-word practice for guidance through a sometimes dark and confusing world.

What about you? What are you noticing on your spiritual journey? Are any two-word mantras shimmering into your heart? Do any of the ones I wrote about above stick with you? Let me know!