As we move through the third week of Advent, we're focusing on micro joys and everyday blessings that remind us of God's goodness and help us navigate the macro sorrows of our world or our personal lives. 

Here's a post I wrote on the power of a gratitude practice: https://notstrictlyspiritual.com/cravings-tribe/begin-begin-again-begin-every-day/

I also said I'd share from of my favorite social accounts that lift me up rather than pull me down: 

https://www.instagram.com/grateful_org/

https://www.instagram.com/katecbowler/

https://www.instagram.com/monkindocs/

https://www.facebook.com/BeingBenedictine

https://www.facebook.com/brickhouseinthecity

https://www.facebook.com/mysticprayers

As we prepare to begin our Lenten journey, join me for a conversation about ways we can expand our experience of the traditional pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Let’s reflect on what those look like for us in our world today and how we might create intentional community to serve as a support. 

If you’d like to be notified of my upcoming Lenten viritual prayer community meet-up, sign up for my email newsletter here: https://notstrictlyspiritual.com/join-the-tribe/ for event updates.

Contemplative Prayer Resources:

https://contemplativeoutreach.org/

https://closerthanbreath.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWvxwfN_CE (Father Keating’s YouTube videos on Centering Prayer)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aQmQu4lufo&t=158s (Cynthia Bourgeault on Centering Prayer)

As we cross the threshold of a new year, can we embrace what's ahead — with all its messiness and challenge — and offer ourselves and our world compassion and kindness rather than make one more meaningless resolution to "fix" what we think is wrong with us?

Resources:
Life Lines column mentioned: https://notstrictlyspiritual.com/life-lines/a-world-of-endless-thresholds/

Jan Richardson poem: https://paintedprayerbook.com/2011/12/31/epiphany-blessing-for-those-who-have-far-to-travel/

Fear seems to be ever-present in our world these days, but we don't have to live there. When we move forward in the face of fear, we discover unexpected gifts and growth.

During Heart Health Month, I'm sharing my own heart health scare as a cautionary tale. Trust your intuition and your gut. Listen to your heart — literally and figuratively!

Hitting the last third of life can be a shock to the system, but, if we're open and willing to bend with the changes rather than push back against them, we'll find we are stronger than ever even if we can no longer do a headstand. (And yes, I do discuss yoga in this episode as well.) 

Doubt and faith would seem mutually exclusive on the surface, but nothing could be further from the truth. Doubt adds depth to our faith lives because it forces us to face the questions and uncertainties that naturally live within us. Join me for a conversation about doubt and how it's not only acceptable but essential for a life of deep and ever-expanding faith.

So often we think being brave means being fearless. Not so. Bravery and courage happen in the face of fear, not in the absence of it. What would you do if you did not let fear stop you? Tune and let's break it down. 

As we head into the second half of Lent, it's a good time to take a new look at our promises and practices and see how they might (or might not) be bringing us closer to God. If daily prayer is missing from your Lenten practices, that's the place to start. Join Mary DeTurris Poust for an honest conversation about the challenge of making time for God.

Sometimes our head knows what we need, but our heart just isn't in it. As we move into the first full week of Lent, we'll talk about the challenges of living up to our Lenten promises and sacrifices and the importance of prayer in bringing it all together. Join me for a conversation about packing light for the Lenten journey, being gentle with ourselves, and hanging out with God right where we are any day, any time.