I smile at everybody, try to brighten their day. Okay not everybody. I’m human! But one thing I have found makes me happier, and the world a better place, is smiling and spreading positivity. Sometimes it even works to reverse an incoming scowl. While I was living in India – in an area where you … Continue reading Avoid Black Hole Humans (haters gonna hate)
I remember the one tragic time my dad truly did something for himself. It had been his dream to restore an antique truck, something from the 1930s, when headlights were still set out on top of the front fenders. When I was in high school, we found the body of a 1937 Ford pickup on … Continue reading Why don’t I believe in resting?
Last week I wrote about feeling guilty that I’m not doing enough. About struggling to follow the message I received to “Relax and enjoy.” In retrospect, I feel like that might have been self-pity. I really can't stand self-pity, especially in myself. It makes me kind of throw up in my mouth a bit. The … Continue reading Self-pity was dragging me down but I think I found the antedote
At the end of my guided meditation, the voice says, "Let go of the focus on your breath and let your mind be free." Pretty much every day, my reaction is, “Way ahead of you, man.” My mind has been wandering all over the place while I’m "supposed" to be focusing on my breath. I … Continue reading Meditation is such a great opportunity to beat yourself up
guiltYou know when you keep getting the same message from multiple sources? For a couple of weeks, I kept getting “Relax and enjoy”. I heard it during meditation, and from important people in my life. But how to do it? I’ve pondered this over the past couple of weeks, even though I’m pretty sure over-thinking … Continue reading I hear the message “Relax and enjoy” but I don’t know what to do about it
As I've written about previously, I practice meditation daily. And, I aim to do it in a way that is consistent with the teachings of the Bible. Here's a detailed description of what my practice looks like after two years. I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions if you have any! When My more … Continue reading A detailed description of one Christian’s daily meditation practice
My friend used to ask me, “How are you?” all the time. She’d ask me Every. Day. “Good morning! How are you?” Ugh. It was the worst. What kind of question is that, anyway? “How are you.” What’s with that? Is she seriously expecting an answer? How does one even respond to such an inane … Continue reading The cruelty of “How are you”
If you mean "empty your mind so the devil can whisper evil messages to you in the silence", then no. Not in line with the teachings of Jesus. A lot of Christians believe that this is the definition of meditation. In fact, it's more or less the way my mom explained it to me when … Continue reading Is it OK for Christians to meditate?
My morning routine is primarily self-care (and hence self-esteem), although it's also helpful in combating difficult moods. It's a bit rigid at the moment, but I feel like it will relax as I move through to a more productive relationship with the feelings of anxiety that I encounter in my day-to-day life. On days that … Continue reading The morning (and nighttime) routines key to my mental health
When I meditate, part of my settling-in phase is a quick body scan. I think this is supposed to help connect me with the present, but often it is a series of rabbit-holes. I'll sit down, do my few deep breaths, close my eyes, and scan the immediate environment to take note of what's going … Continue reading How to do a 30-second body scan in only ten minutes
