Santa Claus relationship, vending-machine view, tech-support request—these are three of the latest descriptors I find personally challenging when asked to consider how I approach the spiritual discipline of prayer. This thought-provoking encounter is not dissimilar to the experience with reading Scripture that I share in the post entitled Stay or Go after reading Jen Wilkin’s …
Category: Health and Well-Being
Vanishing Virtues
Since beginning this research into what it means to Flourish at Life, I admit to being rather hesitant in any of my writings to use the word virtue. In today’s culture, you don’t hear the word spoken much. In fact, outside of a discussion related to a passage from Proverbs 31 in faith circles, it’s …
Out of Sync
Although describing a moment when the audio and video are Out of Sync when viewing a show as a pet peeve might be a little strong, I admit to at least experiencing a bit of annoyance when it occurs. It is also typical for me to only endure it for a short period of time …
Meet in the Middle
On a recent road trip, I utilized a streaming service to select my music, which can often lead to befuddlement as I question the algorithm’s choices. However, for the most part, the songs seemed to align with what I was hoping to hear and even allowed for some reminiscing about college days. One song that …
Unwired Places
It’s late May and the view from the balcony includes the deep white sands of a gulf beach, cresting waves repeatedly bringing aqua blue water to the shore, a slight ocean breeze that reduces the heat from a bright overhead sun, and…pulsating music from the pool below competing with power tools providing enough volume to …
Digital Boundaries
When I pull out my lawnmower and cut the grass for the first time of the season, it can sometimes be a challenge to clearly define where to stop on either side of my property, for there are no fences to prevent me from entering my neighbors’ grass. Once that first cut is made, it’s …
Habit of Attentiveness
“To thine own self be true.” Most of us find this a familiar phrase since it would be difficult to receive any education in the United States without an introduction to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. While, yes, I do agree self-care is an important part of cultivating well-being and living a flourishing life, today’s culture might be …
Quitting Social Media
I’m too stubborn to quit much of anything; however, I am wise enough to discern that sometimes there are moments to cease what you are attempting, reflect on where things are going, and assess a best strategy for moving forward. As a Gen Xer navigating the digital age, I am finding myself Pressing Pause more …
Elderly Slow
“We are all dying batteries.” Aren’t those the exact words you wanted to read this morning to start your day on a positive note? To be reminded that you are dying, that you are finite, that you have fewer days left in your life than ever? It’s not a fascination with morbidity that has me …
Screen Culture
A decade…ten years…if you have lived less than two decades, you may have little to add to this dialogue; nevertheless, I propose that even those remaining in their teens might offer some perspective on what changes they have observed over the last decade. For me, the differences between decades emerges from interactions with students, or …