In life, as with hiking, things are found along the way. Below is a good idea list (ideas, some fun, quotes, etc.) with some of those discoveries. Using the blog’s themes, check out the resources below.* And have a great month!
Nothing Wasted Life Quote:
If we do not know how to be sad, we will be bad. The inverse of this premise is equally true: if we learn how to be sad in healthy ways, we will dramatically decrease our temptation to be bad.” -Brad Hambrick in a Growing in Negative Emotion Tolerance blog post
Extra: Just for Fun
Just a really good, well-done video from Zach King (who has some amazing illusions) and his family’s journey toward fostercare and then to adoption. Hopeful. Inspiring. Encouraging. Life is precious.
Theology & Spiritual Life
- Some elements of our faith life are very hard. This article on “The Spiral of Grace” explores the really hard pains and challenges with the picture of walking a spiral staircase where:
“Yes, we are making progress, but it feels like we’re walking in circles. We keep coming back to the same point again and again, but always at a different level. We’ll come back again and again, each time with a different perspective to try and understand what’s going on in our lives.”
- On Shalom: This provides a theologically inspiring picture of shalom. The weakness of one or two word translations pales to the beauty of what it is — and the beauty of the God who offers it. Along with percentages on how it’s used (interesting!), there is some very good inspiring here like this:
Biblical scholars tell us that shalom signifies a number of things, including salvation, wholeness, integrity, soundness, community, connectedness (to others and to God’s creation), righteousness, justice, and well-being (physical, psychological, spiritual).
Wise Living/Productivity
- A good insight on how porn ruins Christian productivity. You can watch or do a quick read of the three points.
- Dealing with Email: A podcast from A Life of Productivity on some best email tips that they’ve curated.
Relationships
- This is worth a skim about 3 Hallmarks of Poor Communication Every Couple Needs to Know.
- Assertiveness is a tough skill…and hard to know where to start. This article offers three small places to begin your assertiveness that won’t upset your relationship.
Leadership (self or others)
- Mentoring – What NOT to Do: Helpful, practical tips in engaging a mentor.
- Beloit College released its “2021 Mindset List” of the experiences and formational events for the incoming college class. I always find this an interesting read on themes both historical as well as in the formation/shaping of people.
Image Credit: Ben Branum of Creative Studio Productions.
