I Can Do That!

I Can Do That!

By Gem FadlingReligion & SpiritualityChristianityEducationSelf-ImprovementSpirituality
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I Can Do That! episodes

  • You Already Have What You Need
    Over the last few years I’ve been consoled many times by this phrase: you already have what you need. It comes straight from 2 Peter 1:3 and the Spirit reminded me of its power during a particularly stressful season. It’s now an ongoing life-paradigm for me.
    I thought it might be nice if we spent a little time in 2 Peter, lingering over these words slowly. Savoring them like a fine chocolate.
    By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)
    I share more on this on today’s podcast episode.
    7 min
  • Engaging Your God-Given Voice
    In the early part of my life I'd like to think that I was a relatively functional and intelligent participant in my own life. And I was. I got married, I held down a job, and we began a family. I enjoyed a large community and a wonderful life.
    However, under the surface, I didn't really have access to my own, individual voice. There was a kind of holy confidence missing. Self-doubt and anxiety often ruled the day. And I knew little of boundaries.
    I now enjoy a major shift of focus. I know who I am in God and a holy confidence has emerged. I feel more solid inside because I stand more firmly on who God says I am. My confidence comes from him. This holy confidence feels like being in flow most of the time.
    Sure, I still struggle just like all of us do in day-to-day ways. However, in a central place inside myself I stand in this holy confidence. And I move forward in flow.
    There is obviously more to the story here. How did I get from there to here? Well, I unpack all of this more in today’s episode of the I Can Do That Podcast.
    9 min
  • You Are More Than Your Thoughts
    Today we are talking about thoughts. Let's begin with "You are not your thoughts. You have thoughts."
    The first time I heard this I, of course, understood every single word. And yet it seemed like a foreign concept to me. What do you mean I'm not my thoughts? They're in my head, it's my voice, of course it's me!
    Another way of saying this is: You are more than your thoughts. You have thoughts. But you are not your thoughts. This is such a freeing insight. Because it means you have the choice to move toward objectivity when you notice certain thoughts floating through your brain. Especially the unhelpful ones.
    Please tell me I'm not the only one that has unhelpful thoughts. Anxiety-producing, control-enacting, fear-inducing, judgment-oriented thoughts. These are not my best move, but isn’t it easy to slide into these dynamics?
    Once I understood that I was not my thoughts and that I have thoughts, I realized I was able to make a choice. But this is harder than it looks. Sure, I could make a choice, but there are many steps between where I am now and a whole new way of behaving.
    9 min
  • The Burden of Control
    Picture this...you are at the gym and you’re getting ready to lift some weights. It’s been a while, but you’ve decided to go for it. The barbell is in your hands and you are prepared to lift it up over your head.
    But before you do so, a guy walks over to you and says, “I bet you can lift more than that. Here, let me help you.” You protest, but he insists and then he proceeds to add 20 more pounds to each side. And then he just walks away, no cheering you on, and no coaching.
    You try to lift the barbell but it won’t budge. What you thought was going to be a profitable time of exercise just turned into a dead-weight hit and run that stalls your workout.
    The dynamic of control is like those extra 40 pounds--extra, unnecessary weight. Control can take an otherwise regular situation and turn it into an un-liftable challenge.
    And the irony is that we are that guy who added the extra weight. We do it to ourselves!
    Bearing up under the weight of control takes its toll. We find we are unable to keep going while carrying the world on our shoulders. Much of the stress in our lives is caused by expectations, as well as trying to control situations so they turn out the way we think they should.
    What would it look like to give up control?
    6 min
  • The Blessing of My Name
    We are living at a time when rampant contempt and disregard for humanity fill our daily newsfeeds. This is not limited to North America or Western culture; it’s occurring worldwide. We don’t even hear all of the terrible things that are happening, but what we do hear is now beyond unbearable.
    Like so many others who are speaking out about this problem, I don’t have easy answers. So, from my heart, I am asking that we continue to be people of blessing.
    We can be present in our own very real lives. Day by day. Moment by moment. We can bridle our own tongue, monitor our own anger, and guard our own heart. And we can will the good of another—one person at a time.
    Dallas Willard has said that a “blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn’t merely words. It is the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It always involves God. Only God is capable of bringing good to another. We naturally say, ‘God bless you,’ and that’s right. You bless someone when you will their good by invoking God on their behalf. This is the nature of blessing. God wants us to receive blessing from Him and extend it to others.”
    Right now, recall and savor one way God has blessed you.
    Out of gratitude for that blessing, what might it look like for you to put forth your will for the good of another person today?
    God is present. He loves you. Let that overflow, and be a blessing.
    6 min
  • Under Construction: Every Stage Matters
    If you are in the middle of a season of change, you likely feel out of place, neither here nor there. You feel the need for some fresh air, some energy to keep going.
    If you are at the end of a season of change, you may be tired. You desire to celebrate, but you can’t keep your eyes open. Plus, the next project is looming before you and you don’t know if you have time to celebrate.
    Here is a passage on which you can hang your hat no matter what stage of your process you are in. It’s from Isaiah 26:7-9, The Message…
    The path of right-living people is level.
    The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.
    We’re in no hurry, God. We’re content to linger
    in the path sign-posted with your decisions.
    Who you are and what you’ve done
    are all we’ll ever want.
    Through the night my soul longs for you.
    Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you.
    When your decisions are on public display,
    everyone learns how to live right.
    7 min
  • Soul Fitness
    Over the years, as I engaged in various forms of group exercise, I’ve collected some helpful tips from many fitness instructors. I’ve been able to narrow some of these ideas into an acronym that may help you formationally.
    Many of the same principles that grow us physically can also be translated into our formational inner work.
    So let’s take a look at ARC: Ability, Rhythm and Core.
    ABILITY - Start where you are.
    RHYTHM - Engage healthy rhythms.
    CORE - Let your believing become knowing through practice.
    8 min
  • Five Ways to Become a Better Listener
    What would it look like for you to slow down your inner pace as you converse with someone else? Here are five ways you can practice being present and listening to another person:
    Begin to quiet your mind as you listen. We all have distractions, but begin to practice setting aside your own inner whirlwind for a bit. Let the life of the person in front of you come to center stage. Quiet your own mind and tune in to what they are saying. Be at rest in their presence.
    Let God’s love for the person enter into your heart. This is the time for empathy. Remind yourself that this person is loved by God exactly as they are. Let God’s reality become yours. As you listen, let your heart fill with love for them. Whatever they share, you know that God is already there. God is accomplishing His work in their life. You can become a conduit for God’s love by opening yourself to God as you listen.
    Resist the temptation to problem-solve. It is easy for us to move directly into problem-solving or advice-giving mode. Watch out for this tendency. Most people truly just need to be heard. As they are talking things out, they often stumble upon their own solution. Even if they don’t, your humble, listening ear is still a gift they may not find anywhere else. Don’t rob them of the beauty of simply sharing their life.
    Think about what God might have on His heart for the person. Listening to the person and at the same time listening to God—this is an art form we can learn. As you listen, remain open to the heart of God. How might God feel toward this person? What might God desire for their life?
    Respond with invitations and questions. When you respond, try to do so in a way that shows you really heard them. Let your response be filtered through the question “What would God desire for them?” For example, you could replace “You know what you should do…” with “What is God inviting you to in this situation?” Give them space to thoughtfully respond.
    Listening can help us learn that we do not always have to be “on” or fix other people. The Lord Himself is working His own processes in each of our lives. We can learn to be true friends, mentors, & influencers as we cooperate with Him.
    8 min
  • Overcoming Situational Anxiety
    "So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t." (Romans 12:5, MSG)⁠
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    "Love one another from the center of who you are…" (Romans 12:9, MSG)⁠
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    I now often use these verses as I prepare I speak to a group. I remind myself to embrace and to be who I am, without qualification. ⁠
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    I get to be exactly who I was made to be. ⁠
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    And I remember that I get to love those in front of me from the center of who I am. What a treat. What a privilege! And, to borrow a phrase, I can do that!⁠
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    This is an Unhurried Living way of serving. I serve from my authentic self and I love from the center of that place. ⁠
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    So much freer than trying to pretend I am something I am not and trying to impress those I am teaching.⁠
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    I prefer authenticity and love over pretending and impressing.⁠
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    If you are suffering from situational anxiety today, remind yourself that you are loved, that you get to be exactly who you are, and that you can love from the center of your deepest place. ⁠
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    You, too, do not have to pretend or impress. You can give your best and leave the outcomes to God.
    7 min
  • Gaining Perspective
    In our book, What Does Your Soul Love?, I shared the story of how I was learning photography at the same time as I was in the midst of a dark night of the soul.
    At the time, and to this day, I carry within me the principles and metaphors of photography as a paradigm for my life. There are many connections here between photography, presence and perspective. I’d like to share three with you now.
    1. Look for the light.
    2. Remember the rule of three.
    3. Choose where to focus.
    Listen to today's I Can Do That Podcast as I unpack all three of these dynamics.
    8 min

About I Can Do That!

From the publisher's feed

I Can Do That! is hosted by Gem Fadling, spiritual formation coach, author and founding partner of Unhurried Living. With 30 years’ experience in spiritual formation, Gem helps people grow by combining grounded optimism with practical spirituality. This effective dynamic will guide you onto the path of discernment so that you can transform your desires into habits. In each episode Gem will share one practical idea, with one simple takeaway. Together, we’ll grow at the pace of transformation, and you’ll move into your day, saying to yourself, “I can do that!”

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