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Posts tagged ‘attention’

Oh My! T is for Trouble!!

T is for Trouble!
KT is for Kenny Trouble!!
How long do you think it took Kenny to remove these 8 tassels?

Where did they come from?
Oh, my poor pillow!!
Four tassels gone from each end!!!
I was up in my sanctuary having my peaceful time in prayer, Bible study, and devotionals. And Kenny?
He was barking at Bob to come play with him!
Bob didn’t see him sitting by the door asking to go out. A dump in the floor was the consequence.
Oh my!!!

Kenny sure can get into trouble when we don’t pay attention to him.

We need to keep our noses alert to Kenny trouble!

How about you?
Do you spell trouble with a capital T when you’re ignored?

Yup, me, too!

Facing Trials

In the journey of faith, we encounter various trials that test our strength, resilience and patience. The Bible reminds us that facing troubles is part of life, and rather than shunning them, we can embrace them as opportunities for growth. These challenges, while tough at the moment, can refine our character and deepen our reliance on God. By reflecting on Bible verses about troubles, we can find encouragement and hope, realizing that God walks with us every step of the way. Our “Oh My!” can change to “Oh Thanks!” as we turn in prayer with those trials. God, will You play with Kenny?

“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.” – James 1:2-3

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10

Ah yes… God will make us strong and steadfast. But God, will You restore my pillow?
And what about this rambunctious Kenny? Oh my, will You send over a playmate for him?
Oh, and while You are at it, will you send over a buyer for our kayak? It’s too heavy for Bob to manage it these days. We took it down from its hooks on the garage ceiling… and it’s sitting outside waiting for the right person to come and buy it … and enjoy many years of kayaking fun (just as we have).

Kenny would love to go out on Ennis Lake with it. Wouldn’t you?
Oh my! I need to do my French lesson
and this pup wants to play.
Come play with him!!

Sending playful fun your way.
Hugs, too…
from
JanBeek

Adding Meaning to Life A =Attention

A = Attention

How can paying attention add new greater meaning to life?

Duh! That seems like such a rhetorical question, doesn’t it?

In their book, Spiritual Literacy, with a sub-title of “Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life,” authors Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat wrote: “Pay attention. Stay awake and totally alert. See with receptive eyes and discover a world of ceaseless wonders.”

What are some “ceaseless wonders” that add meaning to your days?

Do you pay special attention to:

  • daily sunrises?

landscape nature sky sunset

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  • trees in bloom?

white flowers in bloom

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  • grass greening?

alpine clouds daylight europe

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  • waterfalls?

landscape photography of waterfalls surrounded by green leafed plants

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  • ocean waves?

ocean wave

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  • wild animals?

brown deer standing on snow

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  • the unconditional love of precious pets

black dog beside little girl

Photo by bin Ziegler on Pexels.com

  • the companionship of friends

silhouette of people jumping

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  • the laughter of children?
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  • a beautiful, nutritional meal?

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  • a warm, comfortable bed?

woman lying on bed holding white bear plush toy

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  • a beautiful sunset?

Sunset@Placerville

Paying attention to these and other “ceaseless wonders”
WILL add meaning to your life.

What other “ceaseless wonders” are a part of your daily observations?
How do they add greater meaning to your life?

 

See you tomorrow…

What would you list as your “B” word

for adding meaning to

and defining purpose in your life?

Renewing Creativity

Contemplate rhythm
Renew creativity
Establish practice

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Patterns of nature
Reminders of importance
Seek repetition

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Frisky animals
Reminders of  neediness
Practice playfulness

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Elegant creatures
Constant reminders to seek
Beauty in our lives

trees in park

Stillness in nature
Wonderful reminder, yes,
To find perfect rest

high angle view of lying down on grass

Rest is an essential part of renewing creativity.
In “The Book of Creation,” J. Philip Newell wrote,

“The extent to which we are divorced from the complementary
rhythms of restfulness and creativity is the extent to which
we are cut off from patterns of well-being
within ourselves and our relationships.”

J Philip Newell went on to explain,

“If we fail to establish regular practices of stillness and rest, our creativity will be either exhausted or shallow. Our countenance,  instead of reflecting a vitality of fresh, creative energy that is sustained by the restorative depths of stillness, will be listless or frenetic.”

Are you sometimes feeling listless or frenetic? 

J Philip Newell concludes,
“Creativity without rest,
and productivity without renewal,
leads to exhaustion of our inner resources.”


Want to renew your creativity?

  • Contemplate rhythms of nature
  • Practice repetition
  • Be playful
  • Seek beauty
  • Find rest
  • Count your blessings

 

Remember the Elements of Creativity

According to Christine Valters Paintner in her book, The Artist’s Rule,
“Creativity is an essential and life-giving practice that (in order to flourish) requires:

  • Spaciousness
  • Attention, and
  • Intention”

 

What will you do today to increase your creativity?

How will you give yourself
the spaciousness
to call attention
to your blessings, and
to your intention
to write your next blog
more creatively?

 

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Plan ahead… Give it a rest… Think about it…

 

 … and write a comment below, will you?

 

It helps me to know I’m not “blowin’ in the wind!”

 

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