“in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalms 56:11
Gratitude Journal - May 5, 2021 - Google Maps
Today, I am grateful for Google Maps. Seriously, I have no idea how any got anywhere without GPS and Google Maps. Today, I had the simple task of getting my son, and his teammates delivered safely to their baseball game at a different school. Getting there proved to be a challenge - even with Google Maps and GPS. We found our way eventually, but I would have been totally lost without the aid of my trusty smartphone and maps. For Google Maps, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 4, 2021 - Day 36 of 365
The purpose of mindfulness is not to empty your mind of all thoughts and somehow find peace in your emptiness. Instead, the purpose of mindfulness is to be with your thoughts, allow them to come and pass by, acknowledging them, and returning to your home base without becoming attached to your ideas. There is a difference between these two and finding that difference is one of keys to finding utility in the practice.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
Gratitude Journal - May 4, 2021 - Friendly People at the Gym
Today, I am grateful for friendly people at the gym. The gym can be an intimidating place. When its busy you always feel like you might be in the way and when it’s slow you feel like everyone is watching you. Finding a friendly face that is willing to help you when you have questions or need guidance is great. More people need to go out of their way to be friendly at the gym and help others. For this, I am grateful.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
Gratitude Journal - May 3, 2021 - Getting Things Done
Today, I am grateful for getting things done and checking them off my list. Each and every day I ahve a list of items that I need to get done. Everything from exercise to reading the Bible. Each time I get one of these things done, I check it off my list and move on to the next item. For being able to check items off my list, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 3, 2021 - Day 35 of 365
An essential aspect of my mindfulness practice is to improve myself for the benefit of those I love. For my wife, I’m working to be a better husband. I want to be more patient, compassionate, and present in the things we are doing. For my kids, I’m working to be a better father. I want to be more present in what they are doing and be a better role model for living a meaningful life. For my coworkers, I want to be someone they can trust and a good friend. Each day during meditation, I focus on these people and hope to become a better version of myself.
Mindfulness Journal - May 2, 2021 - Day 34 of 365
Today was a long, but awesome, day. Spent some time with my parents and my family and just had fun. It was a nice break, felt like a true weekend. Too foten we are so busy that we fail to notice that life is passing us by, that we are missing the things that should be the most important to us. Family, friends, and laughing. MIndfulness has helped me understand that being present for these moments is the sinlge most important thing you can do.
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord .” Joshua 24:14
Gratitude Journal - May 2, 2021
Today, I am grateful for physical fitness. I have been blessed to have somewhat of a second chance at living a life with a healthy body. In my youger years I started down the road of obesity and ill-health. Thankfully, I recognized where I was headed and took steps to change my path. It was not on my own and I certianly had a lot of help along the way. Maintaining physical fitness and health is a daily battle. Some days I win and sometimes bad habits, junk food, and laziness take over. For phycial fitness, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - May 1, 2021 - Day 33 of 365 Keeping an open mind going into meditation is an important part of mindfulness. If you approach your meditation sessions with expectations or desired outcomes, you will find it difficult to be successful. Rather, keeping your mind open to whatever comes will allow your sessions to be more positive and deliver better results.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:32-35
Gratitude Journal - May 1, 2021 Today, I am grateful for electricity. The power of electricity brings so much into our everyday lives; heat, air conditioning, lights, television, internet, and much more. Many of the modern conveniences we take for granted every day would not be possible without electricity. For electricity, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 30, 2021 - Day 32 of 365 Today’s meditation was longer than I’ve gone before and I really enjoyed the extra time. While it was only 5 minutes longer than yesterday, the extra time was nice. It allowed me the time to focus and let the distratections move past. Overall, a good experience.
“Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”” John 2:19
Gratitude Journal - April 30, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the spellchecker. I spell words wrong all the time and, thanks to my trusty spellchecker, they usually get corrected. Having words misspelled looks unprofessional and reduces confidence. For spellcheck, I am grateful.
Mindfulness Journal - April 29, 2021 - Day 31 of 365 As I continue to grow in my mindfulness practice, I am coming to learn that mindfulness does not require a place, it does not require a particular time, and mindfulness does not require a special chair or a fancy pillow. Mindfulness can come to you anywhere you are and can take you to anywhere you need to be. You can be alone, or God Himself can join you in your meditation. There are no limits and no restrictions. Everything you need can be found in your focus and your breath.
If you are restricting yourself to the correct location, time, or setting for your mindfulness practice, you miss a crucial aspect of mindfulness; mindfulness will meet you where you are.
“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11
Gratitude Journal - April 29, 2021 Today, I am grateful for baseball. Baseball is such a fun sport, and I love watching and coaching my son. I’m looking forward to another fun season of coaching, cheering, and (hopefully) winning! For baseball and everything that comes with it, I am grateful.
