How do we become aware and discerning with the toxic thoughts which have become the fbackground noise of our life? They are stealing our joy. They are robbing us of courageous creativity. They are demanding perfection. It's time to take back stolen ground by befriending our inner critic. Surprised by this invitation? Listen in.

bio.site/summerjoygross

How do we become aware and discerning with the toxic thoughts which have become the fbackground noise of our life? They are stealing our joy. They are robbing us of courageous creativity. They are demanding perfection. It's time to take back stolen ground by befriending our inner critic. Surprised by this invitation? Listen in.

bio.site/summerjoygross

Sarah Herring, Spiritual director, therapist and former Dean of Students at Simpson, teaches us a beautiful, grace-filled way to reflect on your day and pray the Examen. This is so rich, friends.

Find a beautiful video by Sarah and free 9 pg Examen workbook for a gentle reflection on your day on bio.site/summerjoygross.

We reflect to gather the manna from the day.

We reflect to abide with our Abba, the Gardener.

Want to know more?

Listen to A Beginner's Guide to the Examen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-beginners-guide-to-the-examen/id1462343703?i=1000578677170

St. Ignatius invited his followers to reflect over their day and ask God where He was at work.

A beginner's guide as well as an examen recording so you can just "push play" and I'll lead you through.

Interested in learning more about the Presence Project? Start here: https://bio.site/summerjoygross

We want to blame, shame, control, or escape the hard, but maybe if we linger and get curious, it can be the gateway to transformation.

In this episode, a surprising twist on the flowing River of Life from one of our members became the invitation we needed to be compassionate with slow growth.

**Want more joy in your life? We're learning to deepen our joy with these three practices from the free Joy and Resilience workbook here: https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/joy

Part 2 in a conversation with Nicole Zasowski, author of What if it's Wonderful?

She shares her story of infertility and then we talk about how we can experience joy when there's an underlying story of suffering. She teaches us how the simple genius practice of savoring can rewire our brain.

Then, finally, she leads us in a practice where we ask the question, "Where is God in the midst of our sorrow and where is He in the midst of our celebration?"

Why is staying joy-full so dang hard? The answer WILL surprise you and of course, it's revealed in brain science.

This is the first of two podcast episodes with Nicole Zasowski, author of What if It's Wonderful?: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, & Find the Courage to Celebrate.

August's theme over here on The Presence Project is Joy and Resilience.

Why is it that we so easily forget the tables God has set in the wilderness? Instead of staying in a place of celebration after the abundance of connection or the kindness of answered prayer, we shift right back into lack. Our brains slide to scarcity like a car out of alignment.

Deepen your understanding of your brain's capacity for joy here: https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/joy

How do we live the unforced rhythms of grace? We say "yes" to the spaciousness of God's good limits and "no" to a life of hustle and hurry.

Don't miss this conversation with Ashley Hales or an invitation to walk through Lent with her: Walking at a Human Pace. aahales.com/shop/walking