Advent is, in large part, all about community. While Mary may have kept to herself as she "pondered these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19), she was in the stable at the time, surrounded by a no doubt still-stunned Joseph and a cadre of wild-talking shepherds. People need people. We're a social species. And sometimes, … Continue reading Advent 13 – Community
Here we are on Day 12 of the Advent Adventure. For most everyone I know, it's a busy time of the year that can very easily cross over into Stress Central if you don't take care on that front. Seriously, this is the time of the year when you just HAVE to replenish your own … Continue reading Advent 12 – Share!
Woof! Here it is at the end of the semester and - to use a Southernism I heard recently - I'm busier than a moth in a mitten! Which means that I didn't do as well today as I would have liked - in fact, I need to double up on my "Reverse Advent Calendar" … Continue reading Advent 11 – Use Your Own Yardstick!
This was an especially nice idea - I'm thinking of it as "stealth kindness." I think that sometimes we get a little wrapped up in wanting to be "caught" being nice - you see it in some charity pictures (mission trips, soup kitchens, and so on) where people pose with the folks they're helping out. … Continue reading Advent 10 – Stealth Kindness
In the spirit of "progress, not perfection," I've missed the last few days of this blog. The combination of the end of the semester (madness, I tell you!) and an out-of-town visit to do some Grown-Up Stuff will have that effect and I'm rather proud of myself for not getting all "tore out of frame," … Continue reading Advent – Catch Up!
I've written before about the pervasive need to be kind to yourself in stressful situations, in part to avoid behaving in a way that demands that you sheepishly apologize the following day. Well, some days are easier than others and, since the idea behind Advent Adventure is to live in the so-called Real World, I … Continue reading Advent 6 – When the Hard Days Come
After the first several days of this "Advent Adventure," I thought it might be easier if I returned to a variation of bullet journaling to quickly check in on my daily goals. I settled on nine categories (side note: to my Celtic forebears, nine is a mystical, powerful number, seeing as it's made up of … Continue reading Advent 5 – Be Positive, Not Perfect
So much of this "Advent Adventure" comes down to that - just be present. It's the end of the semester, which is a tumultuous time. Add in the holidays and the people crossing your path can be all sorts of half-crazed with stress, pressure, and worry. All the more reason to start with a hot cup … Continue reading Advent 4 – Be Present
I'm starting to get into some kind of groove with "Advent Adventures" - today was about seeking opportunities to fulfill the "tasks" (that makes them sound too much like chores - I'll work on finding a better word) that my Reverse Advent Calendars set out. Beginning the day with a short meditation is, I think, … Continue reading Advent 3 – Seeking!
It's Day 2 of the "Advent Adventure" and I didn't quite manage to cover everything today. My "task" on the Reverse Advent Calendar was to "let someone in front of you in line" and I just didn't stand in any lines today - I'll work on that one tomorrow, I took a few minutes first … Continue reading Advent 2 – Campaigning!