Welcome back to On the Porch ... occasional end of the week conversations with you and me chatting about whatever ends up on the table.Think open house + small group + your BFF + book club + your therapist + TGIF all coming together to join forces!
This week I'm sharing my own personal Nurturing Checklist, hastily pulled together out of necessity a few days ago. This is not an exhaustive list nor is it a guideline for others. I simply offer this as a helpful tool, a gentle prompt to consider crafting your own unique Nurturing Checklist to get you through the holidays ... and maybe beyond.
In this season of constant giving, high expectations, numerous invitations, and frantic activity, we're faced with this question - How can we live out Jesus' command in Matthew 22:39 where He clearly tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves?
This verse implies that we can't love others well until we're loving ourselves first. We best reach out to others when we know what healthy love looks like and we're living it out, our own spiritual / emotional wells full to overflowing with plenty of life-giving sustenance to share with those God puts on our paths.
Or this, putting on our own oxygen mask before we reach out to help a fellow sojourner.
Sometimes we make these kind of lists because we're in way over our heads and we're treading water and trying to keep from going completely under.
But isn't it true that the best way to do life in the holiday fast lane is to plan ahead of time? Make smart choices, make space, make lists, make room. Establish common sense boundaries that breathe life. Lend ourselves heaping portions of lovingkindness and grace. Purpose in our hearts to let our 'yes be yes' and our 'no be no' {Matthew 5:37}.
Stuff like that.
Stuff like that.
So much that's swirling around us is completely out of our control. But we do have control over how we spend our rather limited time and where we invest our oft' waning energy.
Question: What breathes life into me right now?
Question: What breathes life into me right now?
My Nurturing Checklist
✓ journaling prayers
✓ biblical advent readings
✓ less grazing in the kitchen
✓ getting to bed earlier
✓ getting outside
✓ less mindless screen time {TV, phone, game-playing}
✓ quiet reflective Christmas music
✓ quiet reflective Christmas music
✓ blogging
✓ a to-do list
✓ light reading
✓ light reading
✓ solitude but not isolation
✓ enthusiastic 'yes, pleases' and thoughtful 'no, thank yous'
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Your Unique Nurturing Checklist
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Care to share?
Linda
P.S.
Emily P. Freeman podcast
#2
Season 8: Episode 1 / First Sunday of Advent:
The Importance of Waking Up
Ruth Haley Barton podcast
#3
#2
Season 8: Episode 1 / First Sunday of Advent:
The Importance of Waking Up
Ruth Haley Barton podcast
#3
{chapter 1 download}
Tsh Oxenreider
#4
Sarah Bessey's writings
{2014}
{2015}
{2016}
{2019}
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Thought provoking. Too often I am not as intentional about allowing myself a thoughtful no thank you. Appreciate your prompts for mental / spiritual wellness. Appreciate you, Linda
ReplyDelete- via text -
You're such a gracious iron-sharpening-iron kinda friend. I'm so grateful for your presence in my life!
DeleteI love your nurturing list, Linda - perfect for the crazy holidays. May your Advent season be blessed!
ReplyDeleteThe longer I live here on this earth, the greater my appreciation for the Advent season grows.
DeleteLet every heart prepare Him room!
I love your nurturing list, Linda. Journaling prayers and Biblical Advent readings would be at the top of my list, too. I love Advent season. There is such nurturing in pausing and wondering. Love and blessings of a wonder-filled Advent and Christmas!
ReplyDeleteTrudy, I love how you put it --> 'There is such nurturing in pausing and wondering.'
DeletePerfectly said.
I'm just nodding as I read your checklist! I think all of these are things that nourish me too. The run-up to Christmas is always busy but it definitely helps to be intentional about finding times to slow down a bit in the midst of it all.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Lesley, without choosing to be intentional it's way too easy to get caught up in a flow that's far too intense, worldly, and ultimately, unfulfilling.
DeleteI really like your list Lynda! With a broken wrist, my activities are somewhat limited as I carefully navigate the winter season one winged, so to speak. So wellness is at the top of my list, even if it means declining invites due to not winter night driving to the far sides of the city. So much reflection time and leaning into trusting God's got me here on purpose!
ReplyDeleteOh one winged, Lynn. I wish we lived closer so I could buzz over and lend you a hand.
DeleteLiterally.
Trusting that God will send you kindred spirits to walk with you during this healing time. And yes, when we're forced to slow down by our physical injuries, that reflection time can birth a deeper faith.
I have a feeling you'll be doing some writing we'll all benefit from ...
Nobody asks me nowhere,
ReplyDelete'cause they know that I can't go,
No one comes, no need to share,
and I prefer it so.
No energy to decorate,
and the CD player's dead,
so carols are not on the plate;
we'll watch 'Die Hard' instead.
The dogs might get some reindeer horns
for the Christmas photographs
that still take place on Christmas morn,
but mainly just for laughs.
No presents, no unwrapping mess,
no in-laws…man, that IS low-stress!
'The dogs might get some reindeer horns
Deletefor the Christmas photographs'
I hope you'll be sharing your family portrait with us, friend!
Our presents are done, there'll be little to no unwrapping and no family to be found on our doorstep.
Sometimes those holidays can be golden ...
But don't tell the kids I said that, ok?
;-}
Linda, thank you for this nurturing list. I have the hardest time saying “no.” I can’t do it all, and that is ok! Wishing you a joyous weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a relief when we finally admit we can't do it all, don't want to do it all, and begin to choose a saner, more peaceful path.
DeleteOur yeses become golden, genuine, and enthusiastic.
And that I like.
As we prepare for Christ's Birth at Christmas perhaps an extra prayer for world peace should be on our list.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, Victor, yes. You bring to mind that Romans 12:18 verse --> 'If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.'
DeleteThanks for taking us there ...
I love your checklist, Linda. I am with you on the Sarah Bessey writing. I always come away inspired from reading Ms. Bessey. I guess I would have to add running to my list! :)
ReplyDeleteYep, you've shown us how running can add life and energy and all kinds of health and enthusiasm to our lives, friend.
DeleteYou motivate me to get off my chair!
Thank you for this gentle reminder to slow down and take time to nourish our spirits in this season of busyness. Such wise words, my friend! So thankful for you!
ReplyDeleteAdvent blessings to you, Cheryl!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're here ...
DeleteI love the idea of a nurturing list!
ReplyDeleteSeveral things on your list need to appear on mine as well. Might I add a hot bath? I'm also partial to lighting a candle every night. It's a prayer ritual of mine, year round, but one which seems especially important as we spend so many hours just now surrounded by darkness.
It's important to me also to seek ways to nurture others at this time of year. Some of my students, especially, might need a little extra nurturing. Thanks for the lovely idea!
Oh yes, Barbara ... a hot bath filled with bubbles was always one of my favorite stress relievers until we moved to this house that came complete with one tiny bathtub and a shower the size of a phone booth.
DeleteNeedless to say, I remember those days of soaking fondly.
And yes, all these self-care choices allow us to be more present for those around us who need that little bit of TLC. Most especially the little ones and the elderly who often find themselves alone with only their memories to give them comfort.
Linda, to-do lists and soft Christmas music are at the top of my list. What I love about this is that you also include blogging on your list. What seems to be stressful and maybe even anxiety inducing for some (especially this time of year) is nurturing for you. Could that be because your focus is not on platform building and all that jazz, but instead is on encouraging others and letting the Holy Spirit guide your online interactions? Just thinking out loud here, pondering how I can do better in this area myself. 😊
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised that blogging made the cut, too, Lois. I've almost always found it therapeutic and oh so satisfying to hit the publish button after massaging whatever words have come from heart and mind to fingertips.
DeleteThanks for reminding me what I've said before ... there's little platform building going on around here. Sometimes I regret that I haven't gone in that direction, but whenever I think about heading in that direction, I realize my motives are numbers driven and I end up calling it a day.
This year I'm not doing anything that does not bring me joy. If it causes me any stress or pause, I'm skipping it. The holidays will go on regardless. Also, I've made peace with my middle aged mind and realize I can't organize things in my head anymore. So, I've grabbed a notebook aptly named my "brain dump", carry it everywhere and add ideas, thoughts, lists as they pop into my brain. I am so much more at peace knowing I can check my book and not try to remember everything!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!
ReplyDeleteValerie, I couldn't agree more with your straightforward decision --> 'If it causes me any stress or pause, I'm skipping it. The holidays will go on regardless.'
DeleteYou'll look back and smile brightly at all you didn't miss and all you were able to embrace by saying 'no thanks' to stress-inducing expectations.
{I've found they're often self-inflicted.}
And I absolutely hear you about writing things down. I'd be lost without those endless jottings.
Merry Christmas to you, lovely lady! I hope you are all well!
My life at 73, has slowed considerably during the holidays, and I love that. I do keep a list of things to do, as I can't rely on remembering Monday's thoughts by Wednesday. I'll have to add a few more, self-nurturing ideas to my list, as mine tends to come under the heading of nurturing others. :) I've enjoyed visiting your blog for the first time Linda. I followed your link from another blog, but can't at the moment remember exactly which one, possibly Lisa Notes. I've just resurrected my own blog and was simply out visiting. Blessings to you during this wonderful and busy season.
ReplyDeleteBetty Jo, welcome! I'm so excited to meet you today, especially during the Christmas season when so few people are out and about visiting. Thank you so much for taking the time to say 'hi' ... and I hope you'll return again!
DeleteAdvent comfort and joy to you and yours.
P.S.
Don't you just love Lisa's blog?
https://www.lisanotes.com/
Linda, thank you so much. I'll definitely be back, I just subscribed. Yes, Lisa's blog is new to me but I already see I'll be a regular there. Thanks so much for your return visit. :)
DeleteI'm so glad, Betty Jo! I do believe you've made my day ...
Delete;-}
I thought I left a comment on this post but I don't see it. I love your resources and have already listened to several episodes of Ruth Haley Barton's podcast. Her Advent series is exactly what I need to nurture my soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming back and giving me one more shot, dear Mary. I'm sorry for whatever glitches kept your always kind words from showing up here.
DeleteYou're the best.
;-}