Deep Breath

We play games with the diets we've tried over the years. There are ways to cheat and checklists to keep. This episode is about how NOT to do the same thing with your spiritual life. This is for the "doers" out there who feel they don't quite measure up unless they do more. Those who don't feel enough. What if there's another way to look at it? What if all our mundane and simple daily activities are really sacred and important to God? Does He loves me as I am and can I see myself as worthy of love the way I am, without adding on any "activities" or "doing"?

This episode entertains these questions and more. The title of this episode could have been: Am I Enough? or Is it Really Being versus Doing? or Your Simple Life is Sacred.

Michelle shares many thoughts and questions she's been pondering lately with the hope that you'll be encouraged.

Book quoted: Psalms Redux: Poems and Prayers, by Carla A. Grosch-Miller

What is meant by Praying the Psalms? How do you actually do it? How can this practice awaken your prayer life?

Sometimes we don't have words to pray, but saints throughout the years, including Jesus, have been praying the words of the Psalms. They give us language when we have none. Here's four ways to pray the Psalms and then Psalm 27 is read over you. We hope this episode helps you "try on" a new practice.

Books mentioned: Praying the Psalms by Thomas Merton

Episodes mentioned: Episode # 140 with Elizabeth Peterson, Episode #145 with Lisa Keosababian, both spiritual directors

It's Spring in the northwest and there's plenty to smell, touch, taste, hear and see. I'll walk you through a short meditation to help wake up all your senses, leaving you feeling fully alive and alert.

To get the full experience, here's some tips:

* You might want to grab something that delights your tastebuds and something that smells good

* If possible be outside barefoot in the grass, or inside near an open window with something soft in your hands

The final blessing is from Psalms Redux by Carla A. Grosch-Miller

Email us at [email protected] and let us know why you listen to Deep Breath Podcast and what your biggest take away is from the episodes you have heard. We've got a special project going and we'd love your feedback. Thank you for listening and sharing the episodes with your friends.

Today's episode is a very short blessing/prayer for all women, no matter where you find yourself today.

Henri Nouwen says, "The blessings that we give to each other are expressions of the blessing that rests on us from all eternity. It is the deepest affirmation of our true self." There have been more moments in our life when we've been cursed in our life than blessed. I'd like to change that and fill the world with more blessings. My encouragement to you is to bless others as well. Leaning on Henri's words again, "And people want to be blessed! The voice that calls us the Beloved will give us words to bless others and reveal to them that they are no less blessed than we." What an honor to bless others in small ways as we go about our days. May you be inspired by this blessing to bless those in your life, both strangers and friends.

Would you do us a favor and hit the "share" button and pass this on to a friend who needs a blessing today.

The transcript of the Blessing for Women is located on the blog at: www.breatheandbe.net

Book reference: Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen

Blessing written by: Michelle Tornetta

Bible reference: Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

Maybe you've been having a lot of conversations with friends about aging, as I have. I'll share with you some thoughts and revelations I've had as I ponder getting older. And I'll also share some thoughts from authors I've been reading. Finally, I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful spiritual practices that can be so helpful to consider as we get older. I think you'll be encouraged by the gifts I've uncovered in my search for purpose in the "second half of life".

If you're a "young one", then please pass this episode on to someone who is older for their encouragement.

Books mentioned: Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr

Other Deep Breath episodes on aging and the practices mentioned:

#102: The 3 S's: Silence, Solitude & Stillness

#110: Second Half of Life

#89: Fall: Identify Your Season

Spiritual direction is just one of the practices that foster attentiveness to the movements of the Spirit in your life. The word "direction" can cause misconceptions. Lisa helps clear that up and shares how spiritual direction can be a place for you to bring all the big and little stuff and sift it in the presence of God with a companion. In this episode we talk about the unique dialect of our soul and other practices that foster attentiveness. And surprise, we talk about birds!

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” - Frederick Buechner

Lisa Keosababian is a spiritual director with a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary. She is accepting directees, both in person in Woodinville, WA, or on Zoom. Contact Lisa through her website: spiritualdirectionwithlisa.com

Book Reference:

Opening to God, by David G. Benner

When Faith Becomes Sight, by Beth and David Booram

Other Deep Breath episodes on Spiritual Direction:

#140 Holding Sacred Space w/Elizabeth Peterson

#98 A Unique Group Experience (about group spiritual direction)

#23 Spiritual Direction (or Companionship)

Whether you automatically resist new habits or goal setting or you are a chart-your-progress-person, this episode will inspire you to look at your habits and intentions from a place of love and grace.

Why do we often resist goals and trying new things? And what happens when we fail or fall of the tracks? Can this idea of mini habits apply to our spiritual practices and desires?

In this episode with health coach and instructor, Lisa Ostreim, you'll learn the science behind setting mini habits and the beauty of approaching these habits, even our spiritual practices, from a place of perfect love and acceptance.

Lisa is a certified health coach and a certified Revelation Wellness instructor (www.revelationwellness.org). You can find her at www.empoweringhealthcoach.com and on Instagram at empowering_health. She holds classes, group coaching and studies in person in Washington and online. email: [email protected]

Books and Podcast Episodes mentioned:

* Mini Habits for Weight Loss - by Stephen Guise

Deep Breath episodes:

* #92 Soul Care in Bite Sizes

* Episodes on Centering Prayer - #20 and #78

* #28 What is a Spiritual Practice?

This is a special interview with LaFaye Tapper on some very practical topics that involve integrating our biological, social, psychological (emotion, mind, will) parts as a holistic being and a path for healing. What practices are helpful in this holistic journey? Where does our spirituality fit in with all these parts of our being? You'll thoroughly enjoy LaFaye's down-to-earth illustrations and wisdom.

LaFaye is a licensed mental health counselor, specializing in anxiety, life transitions and grief. Her faith informs her practice, as does her more than 37 years of experience in Christian ministry. She recently became a neuroscience informed clinician.

To find LaFaye Tapper, go to Psychologytoday.com and type in LaFaye Tapper.

Also listen to Episode #139, Slow to Listen

Books mentioned:

The Listening Life - Adam S. McHugh

Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes - William Bridges, PhD