Hey friends, and welcome to the blog today. I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

My word of the year is “peace” and guys, I am determined to create a peaceful heart and home. To be honest, I’ve felt kind of lost since leaving Christianity. For decades, my search for peace was tied to my Christian faith. I tried and tried to find peace when I was a Christian, but it didn’t always come easy.

I think the reason for this was because I counted on Jesus to do everything. He was living in my heart, right? I would pray and pray for peace, but didn’t do anything else to find it. But now I realize that finding peace includes effort, Christian or not. I actually need to take steps to cultivate a peaceful mind.

I recently read the book “The Practice” by Barb Schmidt, and I’m really excited to begin implementing some of her ideas into my life. I found her short book uplifting and inspiring.

Her first suggestion is to meditate when you wake up. I already have a quiet/prayer time once I get out of bed, and I’ve begun to take some time to sit in silence. To really calm my mind before I begin my day. Friends, this has been wonderful. I really feel in tune to God after this time in the morning. There is a still, small voice inside of all of us if we take the time to listen.

I’ve also chosen a “sacred mantra” to repeat to myself when I need to calm myself during the day. In general, a sacred mantra should be something that has been repeated many times in a faith tradition. The idea is that the word, phrase or verse has meaning to you. For example, Barb chose, “My God and My All.” After much deliberation, I think I have landed on “HaShem.” I have studied Judaism for several years, and the word just feels right.

I like how James Tabor put it when he said, “I neither pray, nor meditate, but I try to ‘atune,’ through most of my waking moments, to the greater ordered PROCESS that has given rise to my very being. I am particularly fond of ‘naming’ that personal conscious Process/Force as ‘HaShem,’ the unnamed name who cannot be limited by any diminishing proper noun.”

I am also making an effort to be more mindful during each of my waking moments. To really take everything in. To notice the little things, and to give my experiences undivided attention.

After many years of seeing the value in multitasking, I think it actually might be better to give each of my tasks my full attention. This will help my memory, and my days will feel more full of life! I have been trying this over the past week or so, and it really works!

I am continuing my practice of gratitude. I usually pray and thank God for the things I encounter throughout my day.

Finally, at the end of the day I take a few minutes to think about what I did. Not in a judgmental way, but to let it go. The day is done, and nothing can be changed. Be at peace, and go to sleep free from it, ready to start a new peaceful day in the morning.

Each day is truly a gift, friends. The ordinary is actually extraordinary!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I will be back to talk to you soon.