To protect and nourish my soul? Sometimes I take my kids for walks. This past Sunday we went for a walk and picked up litter alongside the road. Sometimes I turn on my Autumn Playlist and I cook something delicious. Nothing gets me as excited as yummy food does. Sometimes I plug in Christmas lights that I left out and read a book snuggled up on the couch with my kids and cats. I'm trying to read only classics this year. It's been really refreshing and has made me a lot pickier when it comes to TV and movies.
Now this may be the worst idea for you ever but it made me feel better. Tim Farron, a British MP and Christian has a podcast ‘mucky business’ where he talks politics with various Christians involved. He is doing a US election special and interviewing two people from opposite ends of the political spectrum. This week was a man of huge goodwill and good deeds whose views were the direct opposite of mine and I think the interviewer’s. But the conversation had so much respect and space and listening involved that I finished, still disagreeing but not feeling that only one side has the monopoly on goodness or integrity. Other party next week.
Other advice, celebrate the U.K. culture on the 5th November and distract yourself by going g to the craziest and most dramatic bonfire party you can find.
Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite movies, and I have so much nostalgia for both the movie and the book series!
Similarly to Pray as you Go, I have been enjoying the Lectio 365 app which helps you to Pause, Reflect, Ask, and Yield (P.R.A.Y.). There are both morning and evening recordings for your time of prayer.
For myself, I took a day trip to Dunkeld yesterday and enjoyed the best pastry (cinnamon and plum danish from Aran Bakery!), explored the town and cathedral, and walked to the Birnam Oak and through the Hermitage. The fall colors were exquisite and I could easily have spent all day walking the paths along the river and falls at the Hermitage! On the bus there and back I read Sayers' Mind of the Maker which was its own specific type of academic joy. And today, I made a trip to Boots and bought a nail polish that I hope will be close to the "spiced berry" shade I saw a friend wearing - fingers crossed it looks good!
I feel the same - mostly about the election. I voted early and now just have weeks to bite my nails in Canada, where our current provincial election (my first that I was able to vote in as a new citizen!) is STILL undecided a week later due to flooding of some ridings and also it was so tight they will likely have to recount - and everyone just goes on the same! It's lovely, to be honest.
I try to give myself very good bedtimes to "protect and nourish the soul" - early sleeps, and sleeping in when I can, and try to have my evenings as screen-free as possible (I'm on a screen most of the day for work). Just this week I was able to watch 2 lovely documentaries - one about a community teacher in Florida, and another about a free-diver who loves All Whales, and 2 that 'bonded' with him. Both were so beautiful, and 'little', in a sense, but will have ripple effects for future conservation (whales) and the community at large (all those children, and their eventual adult lives!). Remind myself that whatever my actions are, they are forward momentum. Yours too!
To protect and nourish my soul? Sometimes I take my kids for walks. This past Sunday we went for a walk and picked up litter alongside the road. Sometimes I turn on my Autumn Playlist and I cook something delicious. Nothing gets me as excited as yummy food does. Sometimes I plug in Christmas lights that I left out and read a book snuggled up on the couch with my kids and cats. I'm trying to read only classics this year. It's been really refreshing and has made me a lot pickier when it comes to TV and movies.
Now this may be the worst idea for you ever but it made me feel better. Tim Farron, a British MP and Christian has a podcast ‘mucky business’ where he talks politics with various Christians involved. He is doing a US election special and interviewing two people from opposite ends of the political spectrum. This week was a man of huge goodwill and good deeds whose views were the direct opposite of mine and I think the interviewer’s. But the conversation had so much respect and space and listening involved that I finished, still disagreeing but not feeling that only one side has the monopoly on goodness or integrity. Other party next week.
Other advice, celebrate the U.K. culture on the 5th November and distract yourself by going g to the craziest and most dramatic bonfire party you can find.
Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite movies, and I have so much nostalgia for both the movie and the book series!
Similarly to Pray as you Go, I have been enjoying the Lectio 365 app which helps you to Pause, Reflect, Ask, and Yield (P.R.A.Y.). There are both morning and evening recordings for your time of prayer.
For myself, I took a day trip to Dunkeld yesterday and enjoyed the best pastry (cinnamon and plum danish from Aran Bakery!), explored the town and cathedral, and walked to the Birnam Oak and through the Hermitage. The fall colors were exquisite and I could easily have spent all day walking the paths along the river and falls at the Hermitage! On the bus there and back I read Sayers' Mind of the Maker which was its own specific type of academic joy. And today, I made a trip to Boots and bought a nail polish that I hope will be close to the "spiced berry" shade I saw a friend wearing - fingers crossed it looks good!
these were exactly the words and passages i needed today. ❤️
Thank you for this, Joy! Very much needed.
I feel the same - mostly about the election. I voted early and now just have weeks to bite my nails in Canada, where our current provincial election (my first that I was able to vote in as a new citizen!) is STILL undecided a week later due to flooding of some ridings and also it was so tight they will likely have to recount - and everyone just goes on the same! It's lovely, to be honest.
I try to give myself very good bedtimes to "protect and nourish the soul" - early sleeps, and sleeping in when I can, and try to have my evenings as screen-free as possible (I'm on a screen most of the day for work). Just this week I was able to watch 2 lovely documentaries - one about a community teacher in Florida, and another about a free-diver who loves All Whales, and 2 that 'bonded' with him. Both were so beautiful, and 'little', in a sense, but will have ripple effects for future conservation (whales) and the community at large (all those children, and their eventual adult lives!). Remind myself that whatever my actions are, they are forward momentum. Yours too!
Thanks for this, Joy! It was much needed this morning.