This prayer of examen represented a shift from brushing the day with the paint strokes of heavy drudgery, to realizing that there was room for gratitude.
All tagged self-care
Reflection Roundup: Cultural Reflections
In order to imagine ourselves in difference-making positions, we all need models in place, models who look like we do and who don’t all look like each other.
Developing Resilience
Of all the challenges and crises that exist in congregations today, the one that I want to name here resides with leaders themselves.
I Got out of Bed
While the day was successful in terms of accomplishing my agenda, I realized that my greatest achievement on that day was that I got out of bed – despite the mental odds, self-doubt, and insecurities.
Lay Your Head on a Stone
Finding rest from our work is a spiritual practice first introduced by God in the creation story. Even God models the ability to observe the sabbath period as an important part of our missional work in the world.
I Am Tired
I am tired of trying to explain what “Black Lives Matter” means. I am tired of thinking positive and being a giver of hope and life. I am tired of sitting with my precious Black friends as they process their trauma born out of our racial disparities.
Building Walls, but Opening the Gates of Joy
Ministry requires us to build some walls in order to survive. But one of the walls we must build is that of joy.
Running on Fumes: Soul Care for Spiritual Leaders
Too often spiritual leaders spend so much time helping others that they neglect their own spiritual growth and renewal.
Building Walls in Order to Build Walls
Nehemiah constantly faced outside pressure from opponents and inside issues from coworkers. He persisted, but he probably had to build some walls of his own.
What Do Stress, Jesus, and Self-Compassion Have to Do with Eating?
Just because I am a therapist doesn’t mean I am immune to eating and body image struggles.
Learning to Lead from Grace
You can lead from your strengths … but what happens when your strength wears out? It’s a flameout.
Leadership Tips from a Yogi
I learned these three principles from my yoga teacher, and I believe they are applicable to leaders and life.
Seeing with Godly Eyes (Part 1)
What we see when we look in the mirror isn’t just a reflection of reality; we often see a construct of our own making, created from the thoughts, opinions, and self-evaluations in our heads.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Long before the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters were so popular and parodied, Charlie Siburt was teaching us the importance of the non-anxious presence.
"Choose Joy" and Other Ridiculous Things People Say to People in Recovery
That goal to "just be happy/joyful" is one of the biggest reasons my clients wind up clinging to disordered behavior.
Without Vision, Ministry Perishes (Part 1)
It is easy to talk about churches not having a vision … but I think many ministers often lose sight of their calling because we’ve gotten too tied up in our calling.
When to Quit, and When to Persevere
Quitting has become a dirty word of sorts, reserved either for the obviously lazy or morally repugnant. Especially in church and leadership circles.
Courageous Leadership Begins with Me
We may not often reflect deeply about how our own self-awareness plays a crucial role in the capacity to lead in our various settings.
Confessions from the Wilderness
I have been in an unexpected wilderness for the past four weeks, as my depression has stepped out of line for no apparent reason, and is upsetting my routine.
Dispatch from the Contemplative Ministers' Initiative
What matters most is that the ones pointing our churches to the spring of living water, are drinking deeply from it themselves.