Sunday, May 19, 2019

'The Next Right Thing' * Grand Finale

Well, here we are!  Session #4, our grand finale.

I've loved that you've joined us as we explored just a few chapters of Emily Freeman's superb little book, The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions.  If you're like me, sometimes I don't decide to buy a book 'til after I've finished reading it and determined I want it to reside on my rather limited shelf space with my other absolute favorites.

If that's true for you, you can pick up the hardcover or the Kindle edition by clicking on these links.  {And yes, I make a small commission if you shop from here.  I'm so appreciative.}  

If you've missed our other dialogues along the way, here they are:


And if you're yearning for a bit more from Emily, please join me in listening to her Tuesday podcasts.  Hearing her kind, winsome voice as she shares her wise heart is such a needed, weekly pic-me-up. 

'Til then, let's chat ...




Chapter  18
Don't Give Your Critic Words

'The critic only lives if we let her live.  And I don't mean the critic that is helpful and has your best interest at heart.  This isn't someone in your co-listening group or one of your No Mentors.  I mean the spiteful one, the petty one, the one who said those things way back when.  Maybe the one who lives in your own head.'


'We aren't going to change their minds.  Instead, let's change ours.  Let's stop giving that critic words.  Let's stop handing her the mic.  Let's take her seat away from the table and put it out in the hall.  Our friend Jesus knows what it means to be questioned, challenged, humiliated, and critiqued.  Not once ever did he allow a negative critic to change one solitary decision he made on earth.  He was about his Father's business, and all was well with him.  His face was set like a flint.  His soul was always at peace.  His countenance remained kind.  His choice was always love.'




Chapter 21
Wear Better Pants

'As I moved through the house with a trash bag, tackling the piles and purging clutter, I noticed a shift, ever so slight.  My energy and my motivation began to sag.  Usually decluttering and straightening give me new energy, so I paused for a moment to consider why my shoulders were dropping, why my eyebrows were furrowed, and why I felt so fussy.  When I retraced my steps, I found it.  It was the jeans, the favorite ones I'd pulled on from the bottom drawer.  They were making it hard for me to breathe.  And because I'm always aware of how the outer life affects the inner life, I quickly made the connection between breathing in my soul and breathing in my body.'


'If I'm honest, I struggled about making something as trivial as getting rid of pants that are too tight into a spiritual practice.  It felt weird.  But then I remembered how life with Christ is about being a whole person, not pieced out into important parts or unimportant parts, seen or unseen, sacred or secular.  In this one day I can carry both serious concerns in my soul and a pile of old clothes to the car.  Making that pile of clothes was a spiritual practice for me that day, finally taking the time to honestly confront some of the small ways I've been disrespecting myself by keeping clothes that didn't fit.'



As we wrap up this literary journey, I'm curious to learn from your observations, your experiences, your learnings ... 
Linda





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In Which We Celebrate Jenn! 


chatting with
Mary & Sue

26 comments:

  1. There are critics everywhere. You'd be surprised how many people there are who want to serve God in an advisory capacity.

    God bless.

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  2. Oh, yes! Let's not give our critic words or attention! I love this advice. Christ's choice was always love. Let us live this, rather than listen to the petty voice of the critic.

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    1. There's such a big difference between speaking the truth in love and having a negative attitude that spills out onto whoever happens to be around.

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  3. Thank you for introducing me to this book, Linda! It's so full of wise insights and I'm sure it will be one I come back to read again. I love the point that Jesus never allowed critical people to change any of his decisions, that he focused on God and was not swayed by the voices of others.

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    1. Lesley, yes! That focus on God you're talking about is our lifeline ... to love, to grace, to making wise decisions, to serving others well.

      He is our Key ... not only to salvation but also for 'everything we need for life and godliness' {2 Peter 1:3}.

      Thank You, Lord!

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  4. It doesn't matter that I failed;
    at least, hey, I was here.
    I took whatever risks entailed,
    and boy, they cost me dear.
    I know that you need not paint
    a smile upon a corpse,
    nor pretend to health when one is faint
    for lying is far worse.
    I have to be at peace with this
    because I've realized what's real.
    We take the plate, swing and miss,
    but it's the swing, not how we feel.
    I'll wear no laurels when I greet
    God, but I'll be on my feet.

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    1. I'm amazed at how poetically prolific you've become during these last months, Andrew.

      And grateful that you share your musings here.

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  5. Those pesky pants also serve as a barometer for me--one reason why I will not indulge this middle aged body with sweat pants during "working hours." I don't want anything creeping up on me unawares.

    And have you heard the Emily's podcast interview by Suzanne Stabile? Golden stuff.

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    1. I'll look for that podcast, Michele.

      Even as I continue to figure out why that whole Pants podcast / chapter has impacted me so deeply ... on many levels.

      * hmmm *

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  6. My pack-rat soul really struggles to give up ANY pants that I might at some point in the future be able to wear! Lol! But it truly can be draining to wait around on that day to come, while not accepting myself for where I am here and now. Thanks for this tidbit from Emily's book, Linda! I'm glad it inspired you and will have to check it out myself. Hugs to you!

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    1. Beth, you've touched on an interesting dynamic with the whole Pants thing ... accepting ourselves for where we are here and now, even as we figure out if that's the best place for us to be. In this case, for me, health wise.

      It's a real push-pull.

      But even if / when I shed those extra pounds, I will only ever wear comfortable pants.

      Indeed.

      ;-}

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  7. Amen to tossing those unwanted, unnecessary critics out the door. We need to, instead, listen to the powerful words of Jesus, who loves us so much, He was willing to die in our place. When we focus on Him, completely, there are no negatives, only positives.
    Blessings, Linda!

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    1. Yes, for many of us, especially with all this social media craziness we rub shoulders with, our focus has been misplaced.

      And that has left us unsure, unstable, unsettled in our spirits.

      Jesus only.

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  8. I love everything about this book. Emily writes from a place of knowing and that immediately connects with me. I love that the book crosses all age groups, genders, and truly could be beneficial for all. As a retired person, you might think I don't need to worry about my next right thing, but I feel I do even more so than ever. I want to finish well. Thanks for opening your doors for this book club.

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    1. Interesting point, Mary, how retirement might make this all a bit more complex than we figured it would be ...

      Finishing well just might be our finest goal ever.

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  9. I have enjoyed Emily's podcasts and they have made me want to work my way through her book. Lots of good advice. As always keeping Christ the one who guides me, I need to wear blinders - like a horse does so I'm not distracted by people/events on my left and right side trying to pull me off His course.

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    1. You've painted an interesting picture, Marilyn ... the horse with blinders has no choice but to look straight ahead at her goal.

      I do love Isaiah 30:21 - 'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'

      Giddyup ...

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  10. Wear Better Pants is the best chapter/podcast title! It was such a great illustration!

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    1. Yep, I'm guessing it's hit home for lots of us ... for more than one reason ...

      ;-}

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  11. Linda, I never did get a chance to go through this book with you. But what you've shared today . . . resonates. I loved Emily's take on Critics. I wish I was more like Jesus, confident in my Father's calling, and not so susceptible to others' opinions. It's an area where I can choose to grow, if I'll seek my Father in the process. And too-tight clothes . . . yes, they can be a drain on the spirit. I have been getting rid of tops that are unflattering on me. And honestly, it feels good. There's no obligation to wear them if they're not in my closet. :) And that right there, is freeing for me.

    Have a beautiful week, my friend!

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    1. Oh you're a kindred spirit, for sure, Jeanne. I do love cleaning out my closet a few times a year, getting rid of things that don't look good or don't make me smile when I set eyes on them.

      If I hear myself saying 'UGH' or feel my energy draining when I pick something up, I know there's something going on inside that I need to tend to.

      I'd rather have 10 things I LOVE to wear than 100 things I could care less about.

      I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one!

      ;-}

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  12. I've been enjoying Emily's sweet voice and strong message this morning on a podcast with Suzanne Stabile as I weeded my flower beds. :)

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    1. Michelle mentioned Suzanne's podcast, too. With both of you giving it the thumbs up, its sure to be superb ...

      ;-)

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  13. Sadly, my worst critic is myself. I have to become more aware of how often she misleads me and to remind her more often of Romans 8:1. No condemnation in Christ Jesus! This line really speaks to me - "But then I remembered how life with Christ is about being a whole person, not pieced out into important parts or unimportant parts, seen or unseen, sacred or secular. In this one day I can carry both serious concerns in my soul and a pile of old clothes to the car." Thank you for this book study, Linda. Even when I don't read along in the book, I learn a lot from the quotes you share and the discussion. :) Love and blessings to you!

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    1. I hear ya', Trudy. Too many of us are our own worst critics. The enemy knows which buttons to push to make us feel shamed or hopeless, like losers or failures.

      Praise God that we are defined by our Savior, not the evil one's taunts. God's Word and His Spirit speak what is true.

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