We tend to surround ourselves with opinions and ideas that reinforce our own. This happens particularly around politics and social issues, in our modern media age. Living in the echo chamber, they call it. That insulated place can give us a false sense of reality. But when creating new habits and neural pathways, an insulated place also can serve us well. We can create an echo chamber of … [Read more...] about Step 2: Create an Echo Chamber of Healthy Living
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What I Learned in Summer of 2017
Hi. I've missed you, and writing, and writing for you, during my break this summer. Before going headlong into fall, though, I decided I would take a cue from writer Emily P. Freeman, who encourages her readers to "pause to reflect on the past season before we move ahead into the future." So here we are. These are 7 Things I Learned This Summer, in no particular order. 1. The … [Read more...] about What I Learned in Summer of 2017
When the Outside World and Your Inner World Battle
“My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” — David Sipress I was on an airplane during the second presidential debate Sunday night, and judging by even what little I read afterward about the exchanges, I felt relieved that I had missed the commotion. Yes, I watched the first debate - on C-SPAN, without a talking head's commentary before or … [Read more...] about When the Outside World and Your Inner World Battle
Thoughts on Social Media, Soul Care, and Silence
I almost quit Facebook this week. I was ready to disappear, with no warning to friends or family, those who "like" my professional page, the women in my "Faith and Sweat" Facebook group, or any of my business associates who communicate through a network of Facebook groups. The political vitriol, the snarky and hateful comments responding to news accounts, the agendas, the noise - I was done … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Social Media, Soul Care, and Silence
Who Do You Give Access to Your Mind?
Despite being trained as a journalist and having worked for newspapers, I rarely turn on the television news or thoroughly read a newspaper anymore. What gets reported largely is what happened in the past, and I cannot change what happened. I can only react to it and let it affect me. Because much of it is negative or sad, and even confrontational, it affects me negatively. It … [Read more...] about Who Do You Give Access to Your Mind?
Will You Be Vulnerable Today?
You won’t be vulnerable today. Me, neither. We all want to belong. The ways we can do that now are vast, particularly when we consider our online communities. But belonging is different than finding true connection. Belonging is being part of the running club, the worship team, the school improvement team, the neighborhood BUNCO group. But True Connection, which often begins … [Read more...] about Will You Be Vulnerable Today?