Discovering Our Highest Point of Contribution, Navigating Social Media Overwhelm, Encouragement for When Your Dreams Seem Out of Reach, and More!
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Photo by lesly juarez on unsplash
Happy last day of January!
As you know (unless you're new to my online community—in which case, welcome!), at the close of every month, I share a few of my favorite listens, reads, and resources.
As we move into February, I hope these resources encourage and inspire you as you pursue a life of purpose, joy, and intimacy with God!
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
In purpose and faith,
Finding Joy in Everyday Life...
Before we get to the resources, here are a few things that brought me joy this month!
I took this photo of the first sunset of the new year while enjoying my first cross-country skiing outing of the year.
January brought double blessings in the way of two coffee dates with three writer friends!
The photo on the left/top is of me with my new friend Sarah Schmidt and my friend Jen Wier. The photo on the right/bottom is with my friend Sandra Adcock.
Life is best when lived in community, and I’m so glad for the writing friends God has brought me!
I know I shared a photo of the northern lights last month…but I couldn’t resist sharing another one today.
When I see the aurora, I can’t help thinking of Psalm 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God!
What brought you joy this past month? I'd love to hear about it!
Resources to Inspire, Encourage, and Equip
I've been reading...
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
“Only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter...
Everything changes when we give ourselves permission to be more selective in what we choose to do. At once, we hold the key to unlock the next level of achievement in our lives.
There is tremendous freedom in learning that we can eliminate the nonessentials, that we are no longer controlled by other people's agendas, and that we get to choose. With that Invincible power we can discover our highest point of contribution, not just to our lives or careers, but to the world.”
—from Greg McKeown’s Essentialism
I actually started this book a few years ago and, for unknown reasons, never finished it, even though I thought it was a great book (I probably got distracted by another great book 😆). Anyway, I picked it again recently and have been enjoying it.
Greg McKeown makes the point that in order to focus on what matters most—to focus on the unique and specific good work God has called each of us to—we must be very selective about how we spend our time. I’m not sure if he actually uses the word “stewardship,” but that’s what the book, in essence, is about.
In addition to giving his readers permission to intentionally remove nonessentials from their lives (which is much appreciated by this recovering people pleaser!), McKeown provides practical tips for:
discovering what actually is most essential to you
politely declining invitations and requests
setting healthy boundaries
and making progress on what matters most to you.
You can learn more about his book here.
I've also been reading...
“How to Set Goals You'll *Actually Keep* (Do These 5 Things!)” by Brittany Ann
This article about goal setting has some very practical and actionable tips for setting goals that you can actually achieve. You can read the article here.
I’ve been revisiting…
My most popular Instagram post to date
Do you wonder if you’ll ever achieve the dreams God has given you? In this Instagram reel (which somehow has become the most popular post I’ve ever shared, with over 10,000 views 🙀), I offer some encouragement inspired by my cat Fritz. You can view the post here.
I've been listening...
“The Best of You” Podcast Episode 36: An Update on My Social Media Detox & How to Create Boundaries With Toxic Distractions, Numbing, & Unhealthy Coping Tactics by Alison Cook
Social media is a valuable tool, and I truly do value it—especially for the connections it has allowed me to make with so many wonderful people.
But sometimes the barrage of information, sounds, and movement it brings can be too much for my sensitive nervous system. So I really related to what Alison Cook shared in this podcast about feeling overstimulated by social media.
While I already essentially practice the social media habit she has adopted to help her deal with feeling overstimulated, it was nice to be reminded that setting social media boundaries is not only okay but sometimes necessary. You can listen to the episode here.
I've also been listening...
“Psalm 63” - Jeremy Riddle
I've been watching...
"Northern Lights Relaxation" Alaska Real-Time Video
If you are as fascinated by the northern lights as I am but aren’t in a location that makes viewing them likely, check out this beautiful video that gives you a peek at some Alaskan aurora.
We serve a truly creative, imaginative, miraculous God!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
