What is Support?
Last year, I was in a leadership position for a women’s weekend and found myself saying, “Reach out for support” often to the staff as we were preparing for the weekend.
I hadn’t stopped to consider what exactly I meant by that.
What is support?
Choosing to Risk Living in Support Rather than Self-Reliance
A common conversation:
“How are you?”
“I’m Fine – Busy – Living the dream – Can’t complain – Better than I deserve – I’m OK how are you doing? – Another day, another dollar – Same stuff, different day”
Ugh.
I understand where these responses come from, I will even give you those answers at times.
But WHY?
How about these , “Need anything? Anything I can do for you? How can I support you?”
“I’m ok, but thanks. Nothing comes to mind. I’m good.”
What if there was a different strategy? Dare I judge a better strategy? Here’s my invitation. What would it look like to actively look for ways to have others support you?
Be Where Your Feet Are: Embracing the Present Moment
Have you ever found yourself mentally time-traveling? One minute you’re replaying that awkward thing you said last week, and the next you’re planning your grocery list for next Thursday. We’ve all been there, but what if there was a better way? A way to actually be where your feet are?
What Are You Leashed To?
I have a little dog I like to walk daily, her name is Poppy and she weighs in at about 7lbs. She’s tiny, spunky and consistent in one thing- She barks! Barks at the dogs coming her way, barks at the dogs across the street, barks at the dogs twice her size and the dogs just her size! She barks as they come towards her, turning her head, barking as they pass by her!
Celebrating with Gratitude the Impact of the Morgans!
We only had an inkling of what we were in for. Our first CATC weekend was summer 2017, and early on in the weekend we asked each other, “Can we do this every year?” We have not missed a chance to staff CATC Central ever since! Initially, we desired more of each others’ full presence and attention. Then, we were drawn to the rewards of fellowship, being healed in community. But it was the fun which ultimately hooked us. The playful, collegial spirit of CATC from the beginning let us know we could lay down our performance fears, our perfectionism, even the desire to be perfectly understood and accepted, and enjoy each other in the context of deepening spiritual friendship.
Rhythm of Rest
“I don’t want to ‘Mom’ today.” This was my first thought upon waking one morning this past week, and this was after a decent night of sleep! I am a middle aged, part-time working, mom with multiple children from elementary ages through teens at home. I immediately judged this internal dialogue. Why wasn’t I jumping out of bed, feet hitting the floor, ready to conquer the day? Maybe, just maybe, it’s because I’m attempting to do it all in my own strength and not engaging my world in a posture that includes rhythms of rest.
ALL IS WELCOME…
All is Welcome sounds great.
But, what does it actually mean?
You have the invitation to bring all of who you are – your True Self, your Broken Self, your emotions, and your False Selves. To not hide, but be fully seen and known in your present reality.
All of you is welcome!
The Edge: Real Life Authenticity
In the dance of life, I wrestle with bringing my true self to the “real world” of everyday life. I find myself wondering if I can bring all of me- the true me, the broken me and my story – to my world? Will I risk going to that edge?
Compassionate Curiosity in Relationships
Last month when I read Rob’s article … I resonated with the importance of the Clearing and Communication Model. And the thought hit me that another piece of communication that has been really helpful to me in the last few years is the concept of showing up with compassionate curiosity (that I got from Couples at the Cross). I told Rob that I thought we needed a 3rd ‘C’ model … the Compassionate Curiosity Model. Here is what I mean by that….
“I’d like to give you a piece of my mind”
I’ve “given a piece of my mind” before, and it’s not pretty. When this happens my words are a cyclone of destruction, like the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil ferociously ripping apart the landscape before him. He’s at least comical, but my destructive words are no joke. When I’m triggered, when a wound is touched, a false self spins in to rescue. Then my judgments and accusations and feelings erupt and cause relational damage. Hurt breeds hurt. In this posture, my heart is blocked from love and connection, the very thing I want.
Giving YOU a piece of my mind is not healthy communication, nor is it the way of Christ’s love. So why do I do it and how can I grow?