Lisa notes

Share Four Somethings—February 2022

By LisaNotes February 26, 2022 Life updates 19 Comments

Near the end of each month I share four somethings with others at Heather’s.

The four categories are:

something loved,
something gleaned,
something braved, and
something achieved.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Something Loved

PICTURE-IN-PICTURE

Would you rather read a transcript or watch a video?

I’m more of a reader than a watcher. But occasionally there are videos I like to watch. They may not need my full attention though.

So I very much love the picture-in-picture option to keep open a floating window of the video I’m watching on top of all other windows. I can still check email or scroll through Twitter or edit photos, while still seeing the video in a corner of the screen.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Something Gleaned

28 MANTRAS

I’ve been blogging every day this month for the #Write28Days challenge. It has been a challenge.

But it’s also been beneficial for me to review the 28 mantras I chose to write about. They each hold meaning for me, and have been useful in my life.

I’ve been gleaning wisdom from applying the mantras themselves but also from reading the comments underneath each blog post. You all are some wise people out here in the blogosphere and I’m grateful for you.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Something Braved

ASKING FOR WHAT I NEED

Maybe it’s because I was an independent middle child. Maybe it’s because I’m an Enneagram 5. Maybe it’s because I’m a female in the Christian tradition.

But asking for what I need doesn’t come naturally to me. It feels selfish.

Yet allowing others to love and support us isn’t selfish. And if our friends and family are willing to help us (and they usually are), it helps them if we’re clear about what we need.

Ugh. {uncomfortable}

I’ve been a bit clearer this week to ask for some specific things I need. It felt awkward. It took some courage to be vulnerable. And a lot of humility. I’m still reeling from it.

“To be vulnerable is to be exposed, but it’s also to be seen.”
– Dana Norris

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Something Achieved

MEDITATION STREAK

As part of my year of RELEASE, I’ve committed again to a daily meditation practice. My goal is 20 minutes a day. I didn’t start until January 10.

The app I use (Insight Timer) tells me I now have a 46-consecutive day streak. I don’t know how long I can continue the daily streak, but for now, that feels like an achievement. I count it as a win.

What’s one highlight from your February? What are you looking forward to in March? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More:

previous Share Four Somethings

Let Go or Be Dragged {Mantra 26}

By LisaNotes February 26, 2022 Mantras 3 Comments

Once again, we don’t have enough hangers in our closet. Jeff is good about getting rid of an old shirt when he buys a new shirt, thus freeing up a hanger.

But I’m not.

So eventually we run out of hangers for our clothes because we have more clothes than hangers.

The disproportionate amount of clothes vs hangers isn’t a sign to me to buy more hangers. It’s a sign to to let go of more clutter.

We only have room in our closets (and our lives) for a set amount of clothes, and I don’t want to hoard extras.

Too much clutter drags me down.

Whether it’s physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional, holding on to things that I need to release is unhealthy.

This popular mantra is a useful and vivid one:

Let go or be dragged.

There are dreams I need to let go of too. Dreams of how I want things to be.

Like unworn clothes in my wardrobe, I want to release outdated dreams that I’ll never wear again. I don’t need them dragging me down and taking up unnecessary room in my closet.

The more clutter we release, the more full we can be. Getting rid of excess gives us more space to connect with others, to connect with ourselves, and to connect with God.

We don’t need to let go of everything, of course. As Thích Nhất Hạnh said,

“Letting go doesn’t mean we let go of everything. We don’t let go of reality. But we let go of our wrong ideas and wrong perceptions about reality.”

Learn when it’s time to release. Learn what it’s time to release.

Let go or be dragged.

Share in the comments.

You are on Day #26 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Why do you ask?” {Mantra 25}

Next:
“End well” {Mantra 27}

Why Do You Ask? {Mantra 25}
—Grace & Truth Linkup

By LisaNotes February 25, 2022 Grace & Truth Link-Up, Mantras 8 Comments

John Steinbeck calls it “a good ear.”

It’s the ability to listen below the surface.

Maybe we don’t need to use this in every conversation (but maybe so?).

But for many conversations, it would benefit our relationships if can use our “good ear.”

In The Listening Life, Adam McHugh encourages us to approach others with curiosity and empathy. Instead of assuming we know what the other person thinks or will say next, realize we don’t know. Listen instead. And use “why” as your best friend.

Some of the “why” questions that McHugh suggests we ask to dive underneath a surface conversation are:

Why is that important to you?
Why do you feel that way?
Why does that bother you?

But McHugh also suggests another time to ask a “why” question. Instead of immediately answering a request for advice with a statement, instead ask another question:

Why do you ask?

By asking, “Why do you ask?” we move a step closer to the heart of the other person. The conversation may turn to the real reason they’ve chosen this topic to talk about.

McHugh writes,

“What unites us is love, flowing between us through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we listen to one another, and give others permission to be their own person and think their own thoughts, we love one another.”

I don’t remember to use this question very often. I want to remember to use it more.

Why do you ask?

Featured Post

Uncovering our true selves with each other is a positive step toward intimacy with each other and with God.

In our featured post today, Maryleigh says we need to give ourselves permission to truly be ourselves.

“Sometimes, it’s feels like I’m waiting for permission to be me, like I need an authoritative or official certificate of permission to be who God designed me to be. Stop waiting for permission!”

When we do this, we also give ourselves permission to love others as we were made to love.

“Be you! Be love! All sorts of good things live in a soul that loves like that!”

Read all of Maryleigh’s wonderful post here, then add your own links below.

“Love Doesn’t Need Permission – Love Anyway”

How often do you give yourself permission to just be you? Share in the comments.

You are on Day #25 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“They don’t have to understand” {Mantra 24}

Next:
“Let go or be dragged” {Mantra 26}

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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They Don’t Have to Understand {Mantra 24}

By LisaNotes February 24, 2022 Mantras 15 Comments

They don’t have to understand.

This is one of the hardest mantras for me to accept.

I really like to be understood.

When Jeff and I have a disagreement, I’m okay if he doesn’t agree with my opinion. But I really want him to understand what I’m saying.

But there are times when people won’t understand. Or won’t even try.

And although that hurts, I want to be less offended by it and not take it personally.

I’m still learning how to release this desire to be understood. I’m digging at the roots.

I do realize it’s impossible to be understood by everybody all the time.

It’s impossible to even understand ourselves all the time.

So as I continue to practice this mantra, I want to remember this:

Not only do others not have to understand us all the time, we don’t even have to tell our side of the story every time.

We will be misunderstood. We will misunderstand others. This will happen again and again.

But if we’re trying to understand ourselves, sometimes that is enough. Not always, but sometimes.

And if we let it, not being understood can be an opportunity to grow in humility. I understand I need that.

Share in the comments.

Read More:

You are on Day #24 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Whatever happens, we’ll handle it” {Mantra 23}

Next:
“Why do you ask?” {Mantra 25}

Love Matters More {Mantra 22}

By LisaNotes February 22, 2022 Mantras 13 Comments

You may be a talented artist. Or a proficient accountant. Or a magnificent teacher.

But if you know how to love well?

You’re the friend we all want.

Love matters more.

There are a multitude of ways to love. There are as many ways as people.

And each way is important.

However you choose, love someone today. That’s what people need the most from you.

Isn’t this how we want to be known? “They loved well.”

Whatever you want to say—whether truth or advice or opinion—first run it through the filter of love.

Whatever you do—whether art or accounting or teaching or anything else—do it from love. With love. For love.

“The highest form of truth is a life of love.”
– Jared Byas

Love no matter where. Love no matter how. Love no matter what.

Not “love, but…”

Just “love.”

Love matters more.

Share in the comments.

Read More:

You are on Day #22 of the series: Find Your Mantra {28 Daily Mantras}

Previous:
“Just show up” {Mantra 21}

Next:
“Whatever happens, we’ll handle it” {Mantra 23}

One Word 2022 Linkup—February

By LisaNotes February 22, 2022 One Word Community 21 Comments

Share Your One Word Update

Do you still remember your One Word of the year? Share an update about your One Word in the comments.

And if you’ve written a blog post, link up below.

3 Challenges for your One Word

Here are 3 sensory challenges with your word for the next 30 days:

1. SEE IT

Put your word where you can see it often. Write it on a post-it note to stick on your refrigerator. Make a wallpaper design for your phone. Or go all out and create a vision board for your office.

2. HEAR IT

Listen to a song that is themed around your word (it doesn’t have to include your actual word). Record yourself reading a quote about your word that you can listen to. Save the spot on your audio Bible that contains a scripture you’ve chosen about your word.

3. TOUCH IT

Find a way to connect your body with your word.

Examples:

For HOPE, put your hand on your heart and imagine filling it full of hope.
For JOY, do a little dance each morning.
For GRATITUDE, put your hands together in thanks to God for the good things God’s given you this week.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Bev! She was the random winner of our January linkup contest.

She received this beautiful wooden tray made just for her by Randy Flowers with Bev’s one word, JOY. Thanks again, Randy!

Follow Randy on Instagram @woodshopmade to see more of his amazing work.

This linkup will remain open through Monday, February 28.

The next One Word linkup will open on Tuesday, March 22 (every One Word linkup in 2022 will be on the 22nd).

Leave a comment here about your One Word.

Lisa notes

on Life and Love

Share Four Somethings—February 2022

Something Loved

Something Gleaned

Something Braved

Something Achieved

Let Go or Be Dragged {Mantra 26}

Why Do You Ask? {Mantra 25}
—Grace & Truth Linkup

Featured Post

Now Let’s Link Up!

They Don’t Have to Understand {Mantra 24}

Love Matters More {Mantra 22}

One Word 2022 Linkup—February

Share Your One Word Update

3 Challenges for your One Word

Giveaway Winner

Link Up About Your One Word!