Scripture of the Day - May 16, 2021 - John 10:14-15
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Gratitude Journal - May 16, 2021 - Ibuprofen
Today, I am grateful for Ibuprofen. Regardless of if you have a fever, a headache, or a sore back, Ibuprofen gives relief. Listed by the World Health Organization as one of its “essential medications,” Ibuprofen is used by millions worldwide. Today, I am grateful for Ibuprofen.
Mindfulness Journal - May 15, 2021 - Day 47 of 365
I saw someone today post on social media that they completed the Headspace 365 pack in 365 days. They didn’t miss a single day. That’s quite an accomplishment. It’s not always easy to find the time or motivation to get after it everyday. I try to do something each day, even if it is just a shorter session. I do what I can and I am happy with that.
Scripture of the Day - May 15, 2021 - Mark 10:6-9
“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:6-9
Gratitude Journal - May 15, 2021 - Yard Work
Today, I am grateful for yard work. I spent the day outside today, sweating, working, and making my yard look awesome. It was a lot of work, but looking out at my well maintained yard now makes me feel proud. For yard work, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 14, 2021 - Day 46 of 365
I’m pretty sure everyone has anxiety and stress at some point in their life. Most normal people deal with these things daily for various reasons, some big, some small. Mindfulness can help you better understand how stress and anxiety impact you and move you to have a better relationship with them. Mindfulness will not remove the stress, nor will it eliminate your anxiety, but it can help you better understand how to deal with them when they arise.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3
Gratitude Journal - May 14, 2021 - The Farmers Market
Today, I am grateful for the farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are essential and valuable for so many reasons:
- They allow farmers to bring their produce and goods directly to the consumer. By doing so, they can lower prices and increase profits.
- They allow for a more diverse set of goods because multiple vendors are all selling different things.
- The quality is usually top-notch.
For the farmer’s market, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 13, 2021 - Day 45 of 365
Sometimes when I’m meditating, I find myself trying to force the direction of my thoughts. I get frustrated with too many ideas or getting lost in a cloud for longer than I feel I should. This is the opposite of mindfulness. This is thinking. Instead of just allowing things to come and go as they do, I too often try to structure things the way I want them. Next week, I will try and focus on keeping a very open mind and allowing my mind to be free. I am going to focus on the breath but also realize that thoughts will come and go.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Gratitude Journal - May 13, 2021 - Important Work
Today, I am grateful that I get to go to work every day and do impactful, meaningful work that helps others achieve more in their lives. Many people are very pessimistic about higher education, but education can and does change lives. Education changes the lives of those who can attain higher levels of education and the lives of those who benefit from their expertise. For my work, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 12, 2021 - Day 44 of 365
Each day seems to go to its rhythm, and today was no different. Unlike the day before, not as organized and not as structured. Here is, after 11:00 pm, and I am just sitting down now with some time to jot down my thoughts on mindfulness. Today’s thought is this, part of mindfulness is accepting what is rather than what could have been or what might be in the future. Just focus on the now. Be there. It is essential to experience what you live in the moment rather than trying to remember what you did or why you did it later on. Just be present.
“Moses said to the Lord , “May the Lord , the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord ’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”” Numbers 27:15-17
Gratitude Journal - May 12, 2021 - My Son
Today, I am grateful for my oldest son Alex. It’s his 20th birthday today! As I get older I find that time goes by more and more quickly, it seems impossible that it’s been 20 years since we brought him home from the hospital. He has grown into an amazing young man. Smart, happy, and full of life. I could not be more proud of the man he is becoming. For my son Alex, I am forever grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 11, 2021 - Day 43 of 365
Today started with a busy morning, so I shifted my meditation to this afternoon. In reality, this proved to work very well, and I was able to focus. However, I was exhausted today - the combination of lifting, a HIIT workout, and a busy workday wore me out quickly. Interestingly, today’s meditation focused on getting the mind and the body into the same place. A place where both the body and mind are alert and aware but relaxed and at ease. This is not an easy combination.
“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13
Gratitude Journal - May 11, 2021 - Banana Bread
Today, I am grateful for my wife’s delicious homemade banana bread. Whenever we have leftover bananas, my wife bakes a loaf of banana bread. Sometimes she adds chocolate chips, sometimes blueberries. No matter how it’s made, it’s delicious. For tasty, mouth-watering, sweet banana bread, I am thankful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 10, 2021 - Day 42 of 365
I was able to follow through on my commitment to meditate first thing in the morning today. The house was quiet, and it was an excellent, peaceful, calming session. Today’s session focused on a technique to ‘brighten’ things up during times you may feel sleepy or if you fall asleep regularly while meditating. The funny thing is, regardless of how tired I am, I rarely have any issues staying awake during meditation.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Gratitude Journal - May 10, 2021 - My Childhood
Today, I am grateful for my childhood. I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s in a smallish town in south-central Minnesota. I played outside every day all summer long and was typically gone from after breakfast to before dinner. Just out, running around, playing, having fun. The streets were quiet, the neighborhood was full of other kids, and we always had a game going. I remember riding my big wheel up and down the sidewalk for hours. We weren’t rich, but we never felt poor. For my childhood, I am grateful.
