Today I am grateful for:

Gratitude is the gateway to joy.
~ Elaine S. Marshall

I believe I speak for the majority of people reading this post that the year 2020 has proven like no other experienced in our lifetimes. It’s impossible to ignore the chaos surrounding global political, financial and cultural strife; shelter-in-place orders; business closures; loss of lives and livelihoods; hoarding of everyday supplies; social distancing; mandatory mask orders and more. Yet, while discussing the state of current affairs with close friends, relatives and online groups, I find I’m not alone in nursing a deep sense of guilt that stems from feeling grateful for our individual blessings—even in the midst of great heartache throughout the world. And the collective consensus is that it’s okay—in fact, it’s essential —to grant ourselves permission to feel the “feels.” Because not only does gratitude transform what we have into enough, but it also leads to abundance, and a conduit of joy, we get to share with others.

What are you grateful for today?

Photo source: jackcanfield.com.

The time is now: maybe that simply means trying something new

Have you been repeating the same thing, over and over, yet never experience different results? Like trying to lose weight or breaking a habit or attempting to follow your dreams? I’ve often wished I could order a “one-size-fits-all” book spelling everything out in black and white: “How to XYZ in 6 Easy Steps.” I can imagine a book like that would remain on indefinite backorder. Or maybe it’s a faulty mindset you engage in battle with, continually entertaining thoughts like: “I’m always late, so why try getting there on time?” Or, “I never finish anything I start, so why should I join that book discussion or take that class or [fill-in-the-blank]?” Oftentimes, we even blame others for why we’re “stuck” and life continues to look the same. If you relate, then I’ve got big news. Revolutionary, in fact. It’s your fault. Because it’s all about choice. If you’re ready to try something new, read The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.

In what area are you stuck in life?

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Surrendering: the painful process of pruning

How often do you pray for patience, and then without warning a situation occurs that demands an inner fortitude that a) you never knew you possessed and b) you wouldn’t need to tap into had you not asked for patience? I wrestle with this lately. But not patience so much as seeking to live out my word for the year: growth—which shows up as frequent “pruning” and a daily practice in humility. Merriam-Webster defines pruning as “to cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more fruitful growth.” As a Christian, this can be a painful process of surrendering in any number of ways, such as letting go of a position, possession, relationship or some other desire to better align oneself to the image of Jesus. In my case: be careful what you pray for. Yet without a season of pruning, we carry around “dead branches” that hinder our ability to grow. And to eventually flourish.

What area of your life could use pruning?

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Shaking things up: writing prompt #2

In my post “ …writing prompt #1” I introduced my first writing prompt challenge as a way to stretch my creative muscles. For those who journal or begin your days with quiet times of reflection, meditation or prayer, this “challenge” might lend insight into a problem gnawing on your psyche. Or it may simply prove an enjoyable way to tap into your right brain. For me, it’s that time when I need an extra dose of inspired muse as I embark on another new writing venture. (More about that in an upcoming post.) Here are a few tips to help get you started: 1) remove distractions; 2) decide on and/or adhere to a word count, 3) set a timer for 10-15 minutes; 4) write without judgment and 5) have fun. I encourage readers to play along and share responses in the comments section; I will too.

In 25 words or less, break up your life—up to this point—into 3-6 chapters, and give each chapter a title.

Integrity check: a battle of the scruples

An odd thing happened when I originally wrote this post: it disappeared. I save my work as I go, but on that particular morning I couldn’t recall my actions. And when I reopened the document a few minutes later, the entire post—along with another piece of writing—vanished. Autosave didn’t seem to be on its game, either. I wondered if my post went missing because it isn’t the kind of story a person wants to admit “out loud.” Curious? It all began upon returning home from the post office with three books of stamps. The conflict? I only purchased two. Honest truth? My initial reaction went something like this: #blessed… immediately followed on its heels by: You know you need to return it. I did, of course. But not before the archetypal angel and devil suspended over opposite shoulders argued their points. The postal clerk thanked me for my kindness. Yet I simply did the right thing.

When did you last encounter a battle of the scruples?

Image source: familyshare.com.