Animated

Prayer and meditation as life-giving practices to develop the inner tranquility that leads to a more peaceful life.

Attributions:

"We're in the Dark Looking for a Light" from the album "Meridians Murmur and Sun Makes Sound" by Slow Dancing Society.

https://slowdancingsociety.bandcamp.com/album/and-sun-makes-sound

https://soundcloud.com/slowdancingsociety

That life doesn't always play fair is an inevitable part of the human experience. One helpful way to navigate what is often a challenging road is captured by the Serenity Prayer:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference."

Trust that God will grant you the courage and wisdom to not just endure, but thrive even in the midst of things that are really hard. And one element of practicing this is to be kind and forgiving to self while extending love, mercy, and compassion to others.

Yeah, life isn't fair but you can be, so go change your world!

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Attributions:

"Nuit Blanche" by Flitz&Suppe, B-Side, Mr. Käfer.

https://flitzsuppe.bandcamp.com

https://b-side3.bandcamp.com

https://mrkaefer.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/flitzsuppe

https://soundcloud.com/bxside

https://soundcloud.com/mrkaefer

"thursday drive" from the album "The Color of Nothing (Reprise)" by ford.

https://fordsounds.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/ford

"The Last One" from the album "Marty for President 2" by Marty.

https://soundcloud.com/martyofficial

There is stunning beauty and life-changing inspiration to be found in the ordinary and even less-than-beautiful things or circumstances if we just open our eyes and hearts to see them.

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Attributions:

The Shoes of Van Gogh: A Spiritual and Artistic Journey to the Ordinary by Cliff Edwards

"where the moon meets the ocean", "shadows on the mountain", "purple rays", and "(crescent)" from the album "sleep cafe" by ocha.

https://ochamusic.bandcamp.com/releases

https://soundcloud.com/ochakun/albums

"Discovery" from the album "Essence" by RRAREBEAR.

https://rrarebearbeats.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/rrarebearbeats

When we judge or criticize another person, it says more about us than it does about him or her. And it's not only unhelpful but actually hurtful, counterproductive, and contrary to anything that can lead to a more peaceful you and a more peaceful, cooperative world.

What happens when you give in to the temptation to criticize or judge? Feelings of anger, resentment, distrust, ill will, and overall negativity can take over and spread like gangrene. Not a good strategy, is it? Attacking someone causes them to either retreat in fear or shame or lash out in anger, both of which do not make things better for them, you, or the world. Ever been subjected to that sort of beatdown? How did it make you feel? And think of a moment you might have laid someone out in that way even if it wasn't so intense. Didn't feel great, did it? It is deflating and saddening on both ends. 

Problem is that being critical and judgmental can become a habit if we're not careful. One's need to routinely point out and broadcast the shortcomings of others is indicative of a deeply-rooted heart condition. If that's an issue for you (and we all have seasons where this can be something to work on) then look in the mirror and own what it is to admit that you need to take measures to turn away from that and toward tolerance, respect, and goodwill. Strip off the garment and belt of cursing that can be like a straitjacket and be more peaceful and happy. Guard yourself against allowing nasty, liquified negativity to soak in and penetrate down into your soul. 

Speak life and goodness into the lives of others and yourself. Life works so much better that way.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:15) 

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Attributions:

"En t'attendant" from the album "Reflect" by Antoine Dufour.

https://antoinedufour.bandcamp.com/releases

https://soundcloud.com/antoinedufourofficial

Here's a question worth asking yourself today:

If you had an hour to live and could make one phone call--who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?

Attributions:

"Beachglass" from the album "Astral Welder" by Kiln.

https://kiln-audio.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/kiln

Force multipliers are tools that help you amplify your effort to produce more output. If love is the prime force in the universe, what are some tools we can use to amplify its power?

Scriptures referenced:

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

Attributions:

"Alternate Virtuality" from the EP "Real Virtuality" by Eero Johannes.

https://soundpellegrino.bandcamp.com/album/real-virtuality-ep

https://soundcloud.com/eerojohannes

"Brahe" by Punch Deck.

https://soundcloud.com/punch-deck

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

"Intransigence" from the album "In Arboreal Whispering" by Hakobune.

https://hakobune.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/hakobuneofficial

It is inevitable that we will experience circumstances or even seasons where we find ourselves in what feels like a pressure cooker. Join in for a discussion on some ways to develop the capacity to better operate when the pressure is on.

Scriptures referenced:

Romans 15:1-2 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."

Attributions:

"Cobalt" and "Ambush" by Scott Buckley

https://www.scottbuckley.com.au

"Anxiety" from the EP "I: The Arrow" by Andy Mineo

https://soundcloud.com/andymineo

"Panic Attack" from the album "Circles" by P.O.D.

https://soundcloud.com/p-o-d

"Modular Ambient 02" by Zen Man.

https://pixabay.com/users/zen_man

"Future Ambient" by BeachVibes-Music.

https://pixabay.com/users/beachvibes-music

"Adventures" by A-Himitsu.

https://soundcloud.com/a-himitsu

Knowing what to do based on tried-and-true best practices is great as that sets the table for transformation. You may have heard the saying, "It's mind over matter; make up your mind to improve matters!", which leverages the truth that thinking patterns trigger behavior patterns. This underscores the need to tend to our mindset as everything starts there. But all the good intentions and well-crafted planning in the world gets you nowhere until you take action. It's all about taking genuine action steps (G.A.S.) since knowing where to go and what to do isn't the solution; it's actually going and doing that changes your reality.

You can, now go do!

Scriptures referenced:

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 29:20)

My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. (Psalms 131:1)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Attributions:

"Snowland Sunset" by Stan Forebee, Josh Jacobson, The Field Tapes, and Kennebec.

https://soundcloud.com/stanforebee

https://stanforebee.bandcamp.com

Treating others with the sort of respect and dignity that lets them know just how important you consider them to be in your life is one of the most transformative principles we can practice. And this can be applied to relationships with just about anyone you encounter (not just those in your inner circle). Asking someone questions about themselves, their life experiences, and their perspectives on things (and listening intently) is in essence saying, “I care about who you are and what it is that made you who you are, which is someone I consider definitely worth knowing and learning from.”

That is empowering, isn’t it? Not that it grants that other person power OVER you, but that they have the power to make a real difference in your life for the good.

Think about it. You are locked into what it is they are saying. They are the focus of your attention, which affirms them as someone worth not just hearing but being listened to. And what they are talking about has a thread that connects to their own story, which is another affirming element; their story makes a difference in yours.

Listening intently with a keen sense of the expectation that you are going to grow because of the conversation is one of the most life-giving principles we can practice as it stimulates growth personally, relationally, and even in a broad sense--societally. Think applying this to all the important social discourses that are going on these days would lead to healing and set us on the path to solving some of our land's most pressing issues? Roger that!

The writer of the book of Proverbs (King Solomon) highlights this principle with two connected thoughts that occur a few lines apart when he writes, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. … To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” (Proverbs 18:2,13)

Along those same lines, I have a saying that goes, "Listen to understand, connect, and learn, not just to wait your turn."

It’s not a great move (it’s a shame, actually) to barge ahead in conversations with the sole goal of just making a point or winning an argument. Rarely does this result in blessings for any involved in that sort of conversation. However, listening patiently, respectfully, empathetically, and expectantly makes room for cooperation, deepened relationships, and solutions to things that need remedy.

Everyone desires to be respected, valued, and loved. And one way to not just communicate that but to DO that relates to what might seem to be small gestures corresponding to being that kind and patient listener. This one practice can invigorate another person into a renewed state of growth based upon their sense that they are a vital part of the world—your world! Go do that and see how much it blesses and changes someone, how much it blesses and changes you, and how it sets in motion the kind of good vibes and good energy that radiates out into your whole community.

What a privilege to be able to play a part in that, right?

Attributions:

"Oceantumblers" from the album "Astral Welder" by Kiln.

https://soundcloud.com/kiln

https://kiln-audio.bandcamp.com

Don't we all want to do better living as a human among other humans? It's about being a better person. And isn't it the case that when asked what best represents the human ideal the first attributes that come to mind have to do with integrity and virtue; things such as love, honor, compassion, humility, generosity, kindness, strength of character, and patience?

In the mission to improve it helps to aim ourselves at a prime example of the ideal and Jesus Christ is perhaps the greatest in history. Reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament portion of the Bible) to hear what he said and see what he did is not only inspiring but instructive in terms of how best to order thinking about God, ourselves, and others, which then governs how we speak to and treat them. That's a blueprint for successful living, isn't it?

Scripture references:

John 3:3,5-7 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." ... Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’"

John 14:15-17,26-27 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ... But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Attributions:

"The Beauty To Be" and "All I Ever Wanted" by Misc.Inc.

https://soundcloud.com/miscinc

https://miscinc.bandcamp.com

"temoto" from the album "This spring" by Michiru Aoyama.

https://soundcloud.com/michiru-aoyama

https://michiruaoyama.bandcamp.com

Bach - Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor BWV 1067 - Netherlands Bach Society

Recorded for the project All of Bach on November 30th 2014 at TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Rv9ppP6A8&t=131s