Challenge: Reading Aloud

Yesterday, Sunday, August 29 WHOLE LIFE ACTION PLAN (why the all caps, I don't know) sent out an email about a challenge.

I thought about it...seriously when was the last time you read aloud? I read scripture at church (when I'm assigned). I read something to myself when I'm at my desk and something doesn't make sense.

K and I tried reading a book together aloud, but our different sleeping schedules made it difficult. I also like to just finish books.

But this week i'd like to read aloud at least once with a friend, myself and/or K. I think reading aloud is helpful to slow me down...it makes reading much more of a practice than an afterthought.

So.
Will you read aloud this week? If so, tell me how it goes!

Paging Dr. Google. Paging Dr. Google.

From my writing circle...


We are quick to fix ourselves with google searches and suggestions from friends. Somewhere along the line, somewhere in our time, somewhere in our existence, we were taught to look for answers outside from ourselves.

For headaches, take aleve.
For bug bites, find some ointment.
For a broken heart, find some ice cream.
For a shitty day, grab a drink.
For a stubbed toe, take a tylenol.
For a rough morning get that coffee.

For a lonely night, get that booty call.

Way back before super modern medicine. Way back before google. Way back before our medicine cabinet.

Our hearts knew.
Our souls knew.
Our minds knew.

So the question is, did you try any natural remedies?

When was the last time we looked into ourselves to see what our body, yes, our body is telling us.

Listen to your heart beat. Hold your hand to your heart. I like to think that you are feeling the essence of God - everything that is beyond your control.

You.
Cannot.
Make.
Your.
Heart.
Beat.

Yet, every day. every hour. every minute. every second. your heart beats.

Wait for it, what is it telling you today?

Prescribe yourself a true and full dose of yourself.

Drink it in. Gulp it in.

Feel every single part of yourself.

Our souls bring us back to ourselves if we only listen.

Sacred Spaces (for whole health)

I know that I am not the best at nurturing my soul. I talk myself out of quiet times...I've actually started to write in my journal a bit more regularly these days...but I need to invest in my soul more.

What do you do to provide sacred spaces in your life? Is it a physical space like a prayer room? Is it having time by yourself in the morning/evening? How do you nurture your soul?

Here's a good blog on sacred physical spaces. David Bayne has provided the WMF prayer rooms every three years at our staff retreat. Check out the pictures and if you have any questions about what methods, practices he does, comment. He's a great resource.

what was your favorite summer purchase?

Farmer's Market find?
A new hair product? (Me - Kinky Curly hair product!)
A bike (Thanks Marcia! She donated a bike to me!)

A new countdown/celebration

Check it out on Facebook!

On September 1 you will have three weeks until the end of summer. We've all heard that it takes three weeks to make/break a habit. What about making a habit for your health? Pick 21 things you want to do (yep, similar to the 31 day challenge). You can pick more or less...but pick something for your health!

And if you want an extra challenge and you know you aren't getting the vegetables and fruits in your meals...consider joining me in the summer shakeology shakedown...All you have to do is have Shakeology as one of your meals for 21 days and tell us how you feel. Don't have Shakeology? You have time to get some, get to teambeachbody.com/jarabeara!

alone but not lonely

A new week...

It's a new week and it's quite hot in Omaha...I mean there's an excessive heat advisory...but it's a new week and rain, shine, heat, rain...it's a new week.

I'm watching a story on the Food Bank in Omaha. They're working with one of the local Farmer's Markets.

Every person they are talking with all have the same thought...they want to share with others. It's a refreshing piece on the news. Usually the news is depressing here. The local food bank is welcoming donations of non-perishables and fresh produce from your gardens.

We're all in this together...what way will you encourage your neighbor this week?

July? Where did you go?

It is already August.

July decided to jump ship on Spring apparently. I feel like July got sick of the summer heat and passed it onto August.

And it is August.

What summer moments are you savoring these days?
Me? Coming home and seeing the transformation of our garden.