Sometimes the difficult truth of self-acceptance is best learned from the heart of a child. She was about 6 years old with thick, brown ringlets draped across her pillow as she lay with folded hands to begin her nightly prayers. Her prayers were nothing grand. She spoke plain and simply to the God she knew very little of but trusted that He was as real as her best friend sleeping in the trundle next to her. This was her time to thank God for the largest and smallest joys of her day, and nothing was left to chance. Thank you, God, for my friend, for my grilled cheese sandwich, for my bubble bath, and for my new polka-dot socks. Thank you for mommy and daddy, my bubbies, memaw and pappy, and for all of my pets - turtles, beta fish, hamsters, rabbits, and dogs; the order never changed Continue Reading
8 Essentials to Gratitude Journaling
Never underestimate the power of a gratitude journal to transform you and those around you. One of the most profoundly transforming disciplines I practice in my life is keeping a gratitude journal. It has opened my heart and my eyes to grace. Over time, it's created a sense of well-being and joy that carries me above difficult circumstances instead of getting swallowed up by them. In fact, I've been doing this long enough that when life rubs hard, I know gratitude will soften the blow, diminish the anxiety response, and put me in a state of being present and mindful. Maybe you've had the idea of keeping a gratitude journal in the past. And maybe that's where it ended, with several empty journals lining shelves or stuffed in closets. That was me for many years. Until life Continue Reading
November – Breathe in and Give Thanks {Sensory Gratitude Prompts}
It's true that gratitude doesn't always come easy, even in November. Sometimes the experiences of life don't leave us feeling all that grateful. When life is hard and the edges are a bit rough, sometimes we need a little guidance finding the cozy moments. Moments where we... ~Take time to look at the world around us and notice the smallest detail of beauty ~Mindfully savor the variety of tastes in a single day ~Recall all those who add value and joy to our life ~Listen to the sounds of our day and allow our soul to be inspired ~Choose to slow down and be present in a moment of rest ~Make space for what makes us feel warm and cozy on the inside ~Remember the abundant gifts of our week and realize this is the best of all we have "If you start living for the Continue Reading
A Hope-Filled Reminder: You Are Chosen
I love this time of year - pumpkins, bonfires, crisp air, cinnamon and nutmeg...too many soul-refreshers for just one to be chosen. All around us, the world just seems fresher, more alive and vibrant. The best of what can happen seems more possible. And life is filled with reminders of God's love sprinkled through each and every refreshing moment. For me, these love reminders begin with the choosing of a pumpkin...or two. I don’t rush the process because finding the perfect pumpkin takes time. And perfect for me doesn’t mean free of blemishes or uniform in shape and size. I’m looking for the kind that’s going to remind me all season long of one simple, refreshing truth. I’m looking for the kind with scars and bumps and dents. With deep ribs and visible character marks that Continue Reading