Moderation creates space. It invites possibility rather than keeping us entrenched in a certain attitude, opinion or behavior. It’s important to my well being to live in the hope of what’s possible. It is easy to get distracted by the darkness of our world and lose sight of God’s goodness. The space of moderation orients my heart toward meaning. Love defines my attitude and brings peace and hope to my day.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Two. Moderation. Making Space.”Are you stretched thin by the anxieties of everyday life? Are you impacted by fatigue, sadness, or apathy? Does it feel like your relationships are stagnating, despite your best efforts? Are wounds from past relationships affecting your ability to live joyfully?
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Two. Moderation. Well-being. “What if I just let go? What will I find? Where would I fall? Would I lose all control or would I actually gain self-control? Would I live in moderation or excess and extremes? Would I find my reality is what it is supposed to be and everything is exactly as it should be? My fear of falling affects my self-control.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Two. Moderation. My True Self. “Moderation is to avoid excess or extremes, especially in behavior or political opinions. The virtue of temperance helps us live a life of moderation. I would say that we all need a big dose of this virtue, especially for those of us in the Western world where greed and excess abound. As disconnected people, we live our individuality all in the vein of success. Sometimes I think about the similarities of today and those of the Roman Empire. History cycles over and over. Do I place my hope in the world or do I use these thoughts to draw me to God? Where do I find meaning? In a life full of love.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Two. Moderation. Holding Life Together.”
Looking for God’s Goodness in contemplation and prayer. The Gravity Center focused on contemplative activism, provides a Loving Kindness meditation as an unconditional, inclusive meditation practice that aids in the development of radical compassion for yourself and others. Called metta bhavana in the Buddhist tradition, this practice may be adapted or used as a tool for coming into greater awareness of your own belovedness. When practicing a Loving Kindness meditation, we dial down the voice of our inner critic, muting the self-criticism, and internal commentary. In this way, we open to “presence of being” with ourselves in a non-judging way, just as we are. Herein lies the portal to generating compassion. The practice of Loving Kindness progresses from generating compassion for ourselves, to those we love, and eventually for even those we may consider our enemy.
Continue reading “Week Twenty-Three. Fortitude in Love. Looking for God’s Goodness and Weekly Reflection Summary.”
The further I journey down the spiritual path of transformation, I have a clearer line of sight to meaning and to my value, purpose and identity. God is always true to His word, when I seek I find. This is the gentle path of transformation.
Continue reading “Week Twenty-Two. Gentleness. Transformation.”
Looking for God’s Goodness in contemplation and prayer. For a Type-A overachiever like me, patience doesn’t come without a lot of deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and instrumental new-age music. I have to actively remind myself to practice patience. When I feel myself getting impatient, I first ask myself, Is this situation within my control? If the answer is yes, then I actively try to change the situation, so it is less stressful for me.
If the answer is no, and I can’t seem to let the stress go, I move on to a breathing meditation like the following Breath of Patience.
Continue reading “Week Seventeen. Patience. Looking for God’s Goodness and Weekly Reflection Summary”
As we enter this final week reflecting on the virtue of prudence, I can feel God’s wisdom as I orient myself to His goodness. When I seek God in the day-to-day activities of my life with great faith, I receive the ultimate gift of peace.
Continue reading “Week Four: Unshakeable Peace. The Ultimate Gift.”Every strong and beautiful flower must have a strong root in the ground. It must send a root down so that it may be rooted and grounded, while at the same time it sends a shoot up to be the flower that shall gladden the world. Both growths are necessary.
Continue reading “Week Three: The Wisdom of Faith. Rooted and Alive.”Faith is an attitude of trust and how I approach God. Faith is an openness to what God wants to reveal to me, to do in my life, and to invite my participation. It should be obvious that in dealing with the infinite and all-powerful personal God, I am never in control.
Continue reading “Week Three: The Wisdom of Faith. My Life Is Not About Me”
Smitten With Goodness 