Address Change

Moving is messy.  The tape and boxes and cleaning are among the reasons, but they are not the end to the work at all - these are just the transfer of goods.  The real work of moving is the details.  Even my seemingly simple move a few homes down the same street has taken months of untangling and I'm still at it - address changes.  The change of address through the post office is a cinch, gloriously simple...but you can't simply do that and expect forever forwarding to your new destination.  Address changes (even those of a couple digits) reveal just how complicated life can be socially and fiscally.  Upon moving, I ordered this self-inking stamp to simplify things in the office, and I like using it for my return address.

There's another sort of address in our lexicon:  that which references the way we refer to one another.  Addressing by "Sir, Madam, Ma'am, Miss, Professor, Doctor..." brings a formality or distinguishes the power and place of the addressing person and the addressee.  Throughout the Old and New Testament, God alters the ways to which He refers to His followers, marking a change in their direction/destination.  

John 15:15 records Jesus' change of address for believers.  We are elevated in the moment we entrust ourselves to Christ, and we grow in truth, becoming "friends."  What a thought!  We are given new identities through the spirit of adoption and become "children of God."  We go from lost to found, blind to sighted, condemned to pardoned simply by the Word of God and our willingness to follow.

Thirsty Thursday Thought

How might you live out the way God addresses you?  How might a shift in mindset to recognize yourself as redeemed and dearly loved make your thoughts and behavior different?

Remember:  you are so very worthy to believe every word of The Word is for you, and to apply it to your life in all its areas as you continue to pursue a life that glorifies God in your body, mind, soul, spirit, pocketbook, and relationships.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Midweek Tweak

You're doing it again, and you never really stop for long:  breathing.  Respiration is one of the involuntary functions of the body that keeps us alive.  Mindful breathing, however, has us focus on the form and flow in the present moment.  It's often a part of meditative practice, and it's proven useful to me as a War Veteran with PTSD.  It helps alleviate pain, ameliorate anxiety, and attune oneself to a more calm and collected state of being.

Guess what:  most of us have been breathing "wrong" most of our lives.

Posture and pauses help re-train those who do them to breathe in more effective ways.  The modern condition of seated positions taking up hours of our days has made the situation worse.  We were meant for movement, and sitting - especially when that includes a slouched or forward head position - creates a toxic impact on internal organs, hinders digestion and elimination, and generally makes us more tired as a result.

A common stress or pain response is to hold the breath.  This is hardwired into our psyche for reasons that make sense, but we seem stimulated so incessantly that this response gets triggered (or fails to subside) at increasing rates.  Intentional inhales through the nostrils that inflate the lungs fully (this means your diaphragm is going to push your tummy region out a bit to afford lung capacity - that's its job) brings oxygen to enrich our blood, fortifying us on a truly cellular level.  Exhales out the mouth with a relaxed face (as opposed to pursed lips) to the point that you "push" out all you're able of the now-utilized and needing-replaced air continues this cycle.  That in-nostril, out-mouth form of breathing is basic and tells your sympathetic nervous system that you're okay and you can handle anything you're facing in that moment.

There are many techniques of mindful breathing, and we can certainly explore them in the future, but this Midweek Tweak is a simple start:  pay attention to your breath.  When you find that you are holding your breath or that your breathing is shallow - or if you simply need a bit more energy - blow out all the old air as if you were pushing an accordion closed.  Next, pause a milisecond and then allow your next exhale to come entirely through your nose, seeking to inflate your lungs as deeply as you can.  Then, pause a moment and repeat.  Once this is easy for you to do, you can move on to this level:  4-7-8 Breath and others like it.

Jotting with Johnna
Ever catch yourself holding your breath?  Need a natural stress reliever that doubles as a health restorer?  When you notice you are not breathing naturally, jot down what's going on around and within you.  You may find that you can engineer your environment, alter your posture, or revise your schedule to promote a happier lifestyle.

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the daily rituals like mindful breathing, hydration, stretching, and other simple means of modification to ensure your healthiest self.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Surprising Content

(If you know the artist, please let me know how to attribute this beautiful piece.)

I'm a podcast and audiobook junkie.  There, I said it.  My playlist/library includes various selections and subject matter, but I must confess that - by vast majority - it's mostly wellness related.  Blame it on my upbringing where self-help books were among the few volumes of books that inhabited my childhood home - it was those books and the Funk & Wagnall Encyclopedia set.  

Now, not only do folks rarely seek out paper encyclopedias for information, but many of us hardly read anything paper-bound at all.  I even take my tablet to church with me and utilize apps on that device rather than carry my beloved paper Bible along.  The popularity of digital media is undeniable.  I'd be willing to bet you have a digital reading app on your smartphone, and that you've listened to at least one podcast.

One source of audible digital media is, well, Audible.  My current listening fodder is a book I've gifted a couple of ladies and decided I'd better familiarize myself with should they begin discussing it.  You've likely heard of it by now:  

It's not at all what I thought it was, even when I gave it to a couple friends...  It's a memoir packed with edifying candor that exposes the author while it encourages the reader/listener. To my bemused delight, Girl, Wash Your Face isn't one of those sappy self-care, stuff-you'll-never-actually-do books.

I am nearly finished with it and sure to replay it, even though I don't have children and am quite content in my post-widowhood "single" status.  If you are able to listen, as this childless widow has, with a mind open enough, you're certain to laugh and even learn along the way.  I found validation that my personal brand of weirdness is no cosmic goof (or maybe all us writer/creative types are just weirdly wired the same way).

It's not a long book, but the potential for discussion is significant.  Even though I honestly don't have much in common with her, I found the author's story relatable.  You might too.  And if you're like me and enjoy a good read over your earbuds or sound system, here's a deal you can use to try Audible.

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

Jotting With Johnna
What books or biographies have surprised you?  Which stories compel you to review them?  What have you learned from the stories of others?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of equipping yourself with empowerment and education, even and especially when that material makes you laugh out loud.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Resistance & Resilience

Resistance is inevitable in life should one attempt anything, and that's great!  Resistance training makes us strong, able to do difficult things, able to rise above difficulties with endurance - resilience.  Resistance bands are one tool to do that physically - like those here...

And that makes me consider how there may be other resistance bands that strengthen in the other areas of life.  A band can be any small group of people with a shared purpose or pursuit.  The company of those whose passion is wellness, in this regard could be a resistance band, holding us accountable and encouraging us to push ourselves, as Hebrews 10:24 notes.  Conversely, companions whose worldview or ways of interacting with the world are unhelpful are to be guarded against, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 15:33.

Jotting with Johnna
Building one's "tribe," banding together, even bridging gaps for one another will produce strength and improve character as "steel sharpening steel" (Psalm 27:17).  With whom are you "doing life" in such a way that it makes you more reliant on God, more resilient in life, and more ready to resist things that are unhelpful?  How do you go about cultivating this resistance band in your life?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the intentionality and action required to ensure your cohorts are healthy companions as you work toward your best self physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, financially, and socially.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

I Spent a Week There Last Night

This blog got no entry from me Sunday.  Saturday held an exquisitely painful experience for me; and upon opening this website to delve into my usual randomness, I noticed that Sunday was even less productive than I thought.  Nothing like a Monday to hit "reset."

This Monday began with hours of nightmares.  We all have our broken places, and even when we heal, sometimes there are tender spots that flare up and remind us of our history and our hurts.  No matter the subject matter, nightmares can shake us on a very deep level.  I'm not sure - even with a masters degree in counseling specializing in PTSD - just what purpose nightmares serve.  Dreams (both those at night and daydreams) have solid evidence of physiological and psychological benefit, but nightmares are like mosquitoes to me - they suck the fun out'a things.

Nights like I had last night seem simultaneously longer and shorter than others, even though the planet has not altered its spinning.  The old adage states that, "time flies when you're having fun," and the reverse has been noted as well.

So, how do you cope with those scarred places when life scours them raw again?  The Word admonishes us to "cast" our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7).  Our thoughts influence our feelings, and we are told to "take every thought captive" and submit it to the standard of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  As for filters on incoming or ongoing thought patterns, we are given guidance for that in the fourth chapter of Philippians.

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[c]6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

(Philippians 4:4-9, New Living Translation)

I confess that those horrific images in my dreams last night made me feel anxious.  I didn't want to face them again, yet they returned "like a bad penny."  As a War Veteran, it's important to distinguish the difference between nightmares and flashbacks - they're not the same.  Flashbacks are not dreams, and they can show up anywhere, anytime.  Many of us who have experienced trauma have both.  It is the response of a normal brain to abnormal experiences.

Although I had those feelings of dread each time I woke and attempted sleep again, I also had peace.  How is that possible?  Because I trust in God - the same one whose presence was with me while I was in Iraq in 2007 and in 2008.  Isaiah 26:3 promises "perfect peace" when we fix our thoughts on God, because we trust in Him.  That perfect peace is not the same thing as a superficial serenity - in the way that joy can stay in the presence of grief and happiness cannot, perfect peace passes understanding or explaining, even in the presence of great emotional discomfort.

Jotting with Johnna
How do you cope when your feelings are not copacetic?  How do you redirect thoughts that elicit fear response initially?  How do you remind yourself that you are actually safe when a situation, flashback, or nightmare seems to transport you to the time and place you were vulnerable?  How might knowing these things, or at least considering an "exit strategy" help you avoid unhelpful behaviors you have used in the past to deal with discomfort?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the care and thought it takes to ensure your thought-life supports a healthy existence overall.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Wary of Weariness

We naturally tire, especially when working on or striving toward something.  Physical tiredness/fatigue is part of the way our bodies take care of us, provoking us to rest and recover and not cause injury.  Weariness, however, seems to be optional.

What does the Bible have to say about it?  Plenty.  Here are a few verses to help clarify the point:

Galatians 6:9 | 2 Corinthians 4:1; 5:2-4 | Isaiah 40:30-31

Hebrews 12:3 | Jeremiah 31:25 | Isaiah 57:10

Hebrews 10:35-36 | 1 Corinthians 15:58 | 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Just as we find in Scripture many references in which the Lord tells us not to fear, we also find many encouraging us to press on and not grow weary as we seek His outcomes in our lives and in the lives of those we influence.  2 Peter 1:3-9 gives us a bit of instruction and explanation toward the concept, wariness of weariness.

3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.     5In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.     8The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.     

(New Living Translation)

A few of my notes on the quoted passage:

•   We have all we need to style our lives in accordance with God's will, and it has been provided by God's divine power, through and in the context of relationship with Him (v. 3).
•   We also have promises that grant us the ability to rise above obstacles to that lifestyle (v. 4).
•   We have the responsibility of responding to those empowering promises, and the recipe is in verses 5-7.
•   We find the yield to that recipe:  productivity and usefulness in the knowledge of the Lord (v. 8).
•   We discover the failure to grow makes us unable to perceive properly and absentminded of the grace-walk to which we were called and for which we were cleansed (v. 9).

Tired people rest.

Weary people quit.

Jotting with Johnna

Have you fought weariness and need rest?  How might you meet that need so that you can continue to grow and produce and become the best version of yourself?  What resources might help you?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the rest and resolve it will take to live out the rich life God has for you.  Galatians 6 says that we "reap a harvest" and it will come "at the proper time" when we "don't give up;" so learn to rest, not quit.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Lifelines & Deadlines

"Nothing is certain except death and taxes," wrote Benjamin Franklin - no "but" in the original format, I've learned...also it was written in French, not English; but that's not the point.  For more on that story, I'll refer to my source of the same knowledge:  
http://www.thisdayinquotes.com/2010/11/nothing-is-certain-except-death-and.html

Okay, back to the stuff of lifelines and deadlines...  It's nearing the end of February as I stand typing, and beside my keyboard there are two folders filled with tax-related documents awaiting attention as the deadline of 15 April approaches.  My filing cabinet contains more documents I'll need to face and forage before submitting my tax filing for 2018.  This morning's workout included a reminder that got my heart-rate up while my head became heavy with thoughts of the tasks before me.

We have deadlines in life.  Some are flexible and others are not, but they mandate and motivate us to act upon things we might otherwise disregard out of dodging discomfort.  Deadlines hold us accountable, which is good, since most of us are doing our best at "adulting" with results like eating soup with a fork - messy at best.  

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - the game show franchise that originated "across the pond," allows contestants to utilize three "lifelines." 

• Ask the Audience: When selected, each audience member takes up a voting pad, and votes the answer that they believe is correct for the question. Once the vote is tallied, the contestant is shown what the result of it was, displayed in percentages for each answer.
• 50:50: When selected, the game's computer selects two wrong answers for the current question and eliminates them, leaving behind the correct answer, and one remaining incorrect answer.
• Phone a Friend: When selected, a friend of the contestant is rung up, and tasked with providing assistance to them on the question. They are given only 30 seconds to provide input, with the time beginning the moment the contestant begins telling them what the question is, and the four possible answers for it.

See www.MillionaireTV.com for more details, of course.  My particular favorite is "Phone a Friend," because the recipient of the phone call is often helpful, and others are, well, not.  Conversations and questions between friends in daily life often involve quagmires and conundrums, but seldom are they on on the time limit the game show requires.

I'm thankful for the friends with whom I can discuss and whom I feel comfortable to divulge the various questions life brings.  I'm thankful to consider them lifelines.  There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, Proverbs 18:24 states; and that Friend who is our ultimate Lifeline is Jesus, our High Priest to whom we can bring any quandary and all our cares, whose sympathy is endless according to Hebrews 4:15.

My friends this morning and my folders beside me made me aware of my deadline for taxes.  These same friends have been lifelines in so many ways.  Both deadlines and lifelines keep me "on the straight and narrow" when my meandering mind would otherwise stray.

Jotting with Johnna
Do you have accountability partners, lifeline friends to whom you can take your life questions?  To whom do you go for wise counsel?  What tools (pro-con lists, journalling, brainstorming, mind-mapping, or others) have helped you make good decisions?  How might this apply to your wellness overall?

Remember:  if you are the "average" of the half dozen or so people you connect with most often, you must be mindful of the fact that you are so very worthy of the discretion, discipline, and discomfort it may take to find suitable companionship, mentorship, and accountability moving forward into your best life - they are, after all, actors on stage with you as you live out the Wellness Script in your hands.  Ensure your lifelines are not actually dead ends.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Worldview and Wellness

What we believe influences how we behave.  A worldview is a way of perceiving the actions, attitudes, affinities, authorities, and accepted truths considering oneself and those observed.  Potentially comprised of many philosophical, physical, psychological, personal, and professed/presumed sovereign sources, worldview is a lens through which humans see themselves and others.  Many sources deem themselves genuine, and many accepted truths are indeed consistent with universal truth; and there are truths which are irrefutable, regardless of circumstance, culture, or course of discussion.

A zeitgeist is a German word derived from the words for "spirit" and "time."  The beliefs, happenings, fears, expectations, and attitude of a time define that period/place's zeitgeist.

James 1:5-8 and James 4:8 warn of consequences and the anecdote to being "doubleminded."  Wavering, vacillating, hypocrisy - these words and others appear in entries regarding doubleminded ways of being.  One whose worldview is contingent on his/her zeitgeist bears this trait of thinking and behaving marked by disregard for Sovereign-sourced, Scriptural truth.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. 

He will not rebuke you for asking. 

6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. 

Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea 

that is blown and tossed by the wind. 

7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, 

and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8 New Living Translation

Indoctrination by popular culture, silver-tongued professors, and even those we care for deeply can present danger in light of the calling to be steadfast, intentional, and sober in our thinking.

Jotting with Johnna:  Thirsty Thursday Edition
Belief and behavior are inextricably linked.  How do the following verses exhort you to be conscious of your worldview despite the zeitgeist?  Is there an area of your thought-life, social-life, speech, or any other area that you realize needs a revision (Psalm 139:23-24)?

1 Peter 4:7; 5:8 | Titus 2:6-15 | Romans 12:1-2

Ephesians 6:10-18 | 1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13 | 2 Timothy 2:15

Hebrews 3:14 | 2 Thessalonians 3:5 | Galatians 6:9

Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness would be filled.  What areas are you thirsting for righteousness to increase in your life today?  Is there someone from whom you can seek wise counsel?

Remember:  you are worthy of the work involved in understanding the way you see the world, the costs of consistency, and the rewards of wisdom as you seek wellness in all facets of your life.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Midweek Tweak

When life gives you lemons, congratulations!  You can now tweak your water to support digestion, decrease inflammation, and boost energy!  Warm lemon water first thing in the morning can be surprisingly comforting and stimulating at once; and cold lemon water is refreshing, especially post workout or pre-meal.

"But isn't lemon acidic," you ask.  I'm totally impressed that you are aware of the impact of pH on your system - and being cautious with exposure of acids like lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to your teeth warrants a mention.  Actually, once consumed into the human digestive system, the impact of lemon is alkaline!  (It was a shocker to me when I heard that too.)

Midweek Tweak

Quarter a lemon, remove the seeds (because, really, who needs that to kill the healthy lemon buzz), and place a section or two (or four) in a glass or mug and fill the remainder with filtered water.  You actually could put it in a larger vessel, but here's the thing - those lemon sections still render some goodness after another pour-over, so why not enjoy that much more flavor and fragrance?  Bonus:  yellow is the color of joy!

For a bit of sweetness, it won't take much stevia; and for an additional mineral boost, add a pinch of pink salt.  We could pretty much all use a bit more magnesium, after all, right?

Remember:  you are worth the effort of this Midweek Tweak, even the tedium of taking out those seeds with a fork; and you'll feel better physically and emotionally with the boost of citrus.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

(...& stay hydrated!)

Automated Responses

It's a phenomenon of our current culture in virtually every realm - virtual or otherwise - the automated response, or autoresponse.  It's correspondence from advertisers, bloggers, even from medical professionals.  It comes in the form of paper mail, email, instant messages, and text, among others.  Years ago, it was the pop-up, which still happens; but pop-up blockers helped stem the tide.  With auto-response, informed consent is employed, or at least implied, from the provision of contact information, the enrollment in programs, or some other assumption of contract.

Often, when met with impulse, urge, or other stimulus (lunch "time" or some other arbitrary impetus), we autorespond.  We reach for what's at arm's length to "scratch an itch" or ameliorate discomfort.  Sometimes, the appropriate response is to find edible nourishment; but other times, we would do well to pause our response to the sensations, feelings, and expected societal norms and act with intention instead.

Bots and bodies:  you are a person with breath and brains and blood and bones; a bot is not.  You are equipped to interpret stimulus and decide on a course of action based on endless factors; a bot is programmed to respond automatically to certain inputs.  You have intellect and intuition and plenty of information from within and instruction from spirit to empower an intentional and helpful response, should you elect to employ it.

Jotting with Johnna
How have you "gone on autopilot" at times and responded without consideration to actual needs and accurate data?  How might this impact you longterm?  What might you install in your response programming to interrupt and redirect those responses?

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the acting with integrity in the moment of choice in order to determine a response fitting with your best longterm life.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

In person and on purpose,
Johnna

(Image found courtesy of lifehacker.com without accreditation)

Half Empty, Half Full, Balanced

I don't know the photographer, nor do I know the sharer of the image attached - if you do, please help me accredit them and send the accolades due him or her.  Elegant and profound the message it conveys to this observer.  I see water...life...hope.

Does the glass portray plenty or want?  Neither - this stemmed glass is filled with liquid and vapor at once - 100%.  It neither wants for filling nor is over-filled.

Balance is elusive in our excess-driven society, but it is attainable.  Balance has its costs; but its benefits far outweigh the discomfort or dismay of ourselves or others.  Balance is peace, contentment, allowance, and acceptance of what exists while attaining what has yet to exist.

I see water, or maybe herbal tea?  Whatever was being photographed, I'm working to increase my proportion of water to all other liquids.  Eight glasses, yes, I've heard the legalists say this is the optimum; but incremental increase still represents improvement.  Confession:  I'm either "on" my water-swigging-game or off - at least that was my former way of being...

Now, it's about balance and grace.  Am I drinking more water than I might if I had not set the intention to do so?  Yep.  Does this displace a bit of the liquid calories I might otherwise consume?  Yep.  Does that mark an improvement in my hydration game?  Yep.

Jotting with Johnna
Where do you need to implement incremental improvement?  More water - would this help?  Less sugar - could this be your way of resetting the balance?  Saying "no" or saying "yes" in more appropriate situations or for reasons more aligned with your calling/purpose?

Remember:  Your life is a matter of choices; and you are so very worthy of the costs you pay to produce the benefits of balance in all areas of your life.  You are worthy of a life well watered.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Johnna

Scraps to Scrumptious

Scraps?  Yes, scraps - and coffee grounds and egg shells and lots of other things can be composted.  I've composted for several years, generating a rich soil in which future scrumptious delights grow.  One expert who saw my garden last year was amazed by the result from two tiny okra plants and said it must be the organic compost I cultivate over the year.

When I moved recently, my compost bin moved with me.  It's not pretty, mind you.  I believe in reduce, reuse, recycle; and this fifty-five gallon drum (with lid), which had only ever been filled with water on our flightline, was being discarded (among others).  I salvaged the beast and drove it home in the back of my Subaru Baja for its afterlife.  That container and its contents bemused my mother at first, but now she is a consistent contributor, asking often, "can this go in the bin?"

In the kitchen, I have a cute little bowl I've topped with a silicone lid - both of them in the Rachael Ray line.  This keeps me from taking several trips out to the big, ugly bin with scraps.  Turns out, it's made for compost scraps.  Go figure!

That got me thinking of the transition I've been having internally (and in my whole life, really) since my husband passed and now after two moves.  Obviously, things have to germinate in my life before they sprout, but that's another musing...  Anyway, I was thinking, now that Spring is near (Lord, may it be so), about the value of the things I've composted in my life and what they have actually contributed to the sprouts appearing above the "soil" of my life lately.

Like onions, some things that comprise my "life compost" have elicited tears.  Others have been less emotional in nature.  The "bin" of my past takes them all, though, and brings forth something new and beautiful - beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:1-3).  Some things are quite ashy indeed in my recollection, as those parts of me and of my life have been burned away.  The best composts, as most gardeners know, is a complex blend, after all.  The Master Gardener certainly has plenty to work with in my case.

One thing that can be used to enrich soil results from pruning.  Pruning rids a tree, bush, plant, or other living thing of something that is holding back its growth in some way.  Sometimes, a very large section gets snipped/lopped away to make room for new growth, or redirect future blooms.

Jotting with Johnna
What bits need to be cast into your own "life compost" bin?  Are you holding onto pieces that rob you of your peace as they rot in your tightly-held fist?  Where is the Lord pruning you so that you can truly flourish?

Remember:  You are so very worthy of the time it takes to germinate, cultivate, and propagate healthy "fruit" in your life.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Johnna

Fickle Focus

If the tiara fits, mount it atop the crown of your head and - wait, what was I doing?

My dear friend just sent me a meme of a little girl in a whirlwind of whimsically distracted bliss, noting that it reminded her of me.  The tiara and masquerade ball worthy garb may have something to do with it; but mostly I identified with this little princess because I'll set off in one pursuit and be lured by other pursuits that whisk me off to other wiles.  That's how I wandered away from my post here many times for many weeks - other worthwhile tasks and opportunities distracted me from something I am strongly compelled to do.

Often good things take me from best (or best-fit-for-me) things.  Can you relate?

I'm learning, though, not to "beat myself up" over this tendency.  It just so happens that my interests are varied and layered (like the tiara and mask and - wait, that wasn't the point).  The distractions that set my path on meandering adventures have been part of a larger picture, one with plenty of room for such scampers.  I'm a curious person, and that curiosity helps me see the world in a different way, calls me to scurry off the obvious path into meadows of meaning and discovery I would have missed otherwise.

A sigh escapes my grimaced face as I lament the distractions of size and weight and tone my body has followed.  As I stand here, the physical-wellness detour I've been - unwillingly - on has me in a body that, frankly, I want to distract myself from seeing.  This kind of distraction is no fun for anyone, but for a gal at forty-five who has accomplished an impressive number of things in her years, it's downright humiliating.  Been there?  Anyone?

Yeah, pretty much every stitch of clothing but my socks (socks are loyal) refuses to fit properly at the moment.  Yes, there's been a lot of change in my life - especially within the last year and it's compounded by the huge shifts in my life over the last five.  Honestly, though, I'm right here with you all, discovering as I go, finding my way to a holistically healthy and happy way of life.

Pursuing mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, and relational wellness is no distraction - it's determination to live your best life.  We are here to contribute to the world in ways unique to each of us, created in the image of God - each of us a facet reflecting His light.  Styling a life that renders us more fit to serve is part of our duty as citizens of Heaven.  It makes us better citizens of Earth.

Jotting with Johnna
What distractions keep you from pursuing a life of true wellness?  Which of those are actually things you could monitor, abstain, or otherwise keep at a low roar as you listen more closely to the voice of truth?  How can you gain greater focus in a practical step today, rather than be tossed by the winds of futile diversions?

Remember:  You are so very worthy of the intention and action you take to pour your energy and attention into your healthiest, happiest, most honorable life-style.

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Johnna

New PLANNER, anyone?

Just before the end of 2018, I had an inspiration while sitting in the parking lot of my dentist.  My car seems to be a machine of ideas lately.  Anyway, it was an acronym instantly "downloaded" to my mind - a wellness acronym, a Wellness Script (wink).

That day, a couple of dear friends were to gather in my home for study per our standard practice for several months now.  I got a picture in mind of a simple, yearly, week-at-a-glance planner - typical for the transition from one trip around the Sun to the next, but this one with a purpose unique to our wellness endeavors.  Each day, in this planner, we three gals jot into the few available lines what we're sensing, realizing, or simply feeling in regard to body, mind, spirit and our relation with our spheres.

So, what's the PLANNER acronym? 
It's a map to meeting needs appropriately,
as informed by
the Holy Spirit (internal dwelling aspect of the Trinity),
the mind (intellect),
and the subtle voice of the body (intuition).

Pray:  Pause at the awareness of an urge, hunger, discomfort, or other impetus, seeking wisdom.
Listen:   What do you feel?  What do you need/desire?  What will meet that need?
Align:  Within the boundaries of godliness and good sense, determine a course of action.
Nourish:  When possible, find that which will meet your legitimate need/desire.
Notice:  Watch what happens in your body, mind, spirit.  Take time to tune into the results.
Examine:  Was your need/desire met?  What else might you do to promote healthy satiety?
Repeat:  Start at Pray and follow the process, granting yourself grace as you develop skills.

Intuitive nourishment of mind, body, and spirit need not be complicated.  The society in which we live, filled with expectations, obligations, and other complications, tends to drown out the inherent wisdom with which we are born and supplant it with advertised and socialized pressures to fill any and every perceived void with the closest item or activity.  In a fast-paced, schedule-controlled world, it isn't easy to slow down - especially for oneself - but impulse need not be our downfall.

Jotting With Johnna
Even if you don't want to use an actual year-long planner, try writing a few thoughts or revelations each day for a week.  Even a bullet-list or an acrostic version will do - this is about your own wellness script, after all - just give yourself the practice in awareness and see what happens.  Who knows?  You might become a PLANNER after all.

Remember:  You are so very worthy of peace, of pauses, of preparation to pursue your one life in a manner that promotes wellness of body, mind, spirit, soul, relationships, and pocketbook.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.

Blessings,
Johnna

Invitation for Transformation

Holistic wellness must be curated to the individual in order to be viably applied to body, mind, soul, spirit, social, and fiscal concerns.  Well-established authorities compose all manner of scripts to follow to pursue a life that is happy and healthy; but no human is able to adequately understand the nuanced needs of every other human.

Clarifying and concentrating the endless array of such scripts, I hope to assist readers (also affectionately known as "scribes") to compose their own wellness scripts.  Jotting with Johnna segments will come hither and yon to assist in this awareness-building endeavor.  Engage the material, examine its applicability, encounter wellness that truly fits your life as you style it.

Join me, won't you?

Sweetness & Salt

As I come to the keyboard, it is Valentine's Day, 14 February 2019.  Hearts and flowers and roses and chocolate and perfume, candles and memories, cards and sentiments - all seem iconic for this day of celebration of cherishing, belonging, and mutual affection.

These are sweet things, aren't they?  Even in widowhood, I smile at this day - especially now that my Beloved has been absent from the body five Valentine's Days now.  This is an opportunity to be grateful for the grace-gift of our life together and to savor the sweetness each new day offers.  Certainly, the salty tears of the past revisit occasionally, but  now they serve to make the sensation in my heart that much more complex and profound.

Loss and love - both four letter words carrying many meanings and connotations - they once seemed diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive.  Now, though, I realize that loss is not the cessation of love, but its preservation in a way - as salt preserves.

Jotting with Johnna
Whenever we crave chocolate or cookies or cake (not to pick on these, mind you), we would be wise to consider what other form of sweetness we yearn to savor?  Today, I hope you remember someone you have lost and have a fond feeling in the moment.  I hope you know you matter to the world and that we would all be lesser for the loss of you - so thank you for persevering through the salty tears that inevitably come into even the sweetest life.  I hope you find a way to be kind to yourself today, to add sweetness to your life and to those around you.

The world needs both sweetness and salt.  The world needs you.  I'm glad you're here.

You are so very worthy of the thought, time, and tasks that bring sweetness to your life today.

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Johnna

A Dog, a Duffel, and a Dream

I'd like to introduce you to Chelsea and her mom, Lisa.  Lisa is my sister-in-law and Chelsea is her beautiful, sanguine, superstar pup.  They are globetrotting gals whose adventures you can discover on Lisa's blog (since she's the one with thumbs, of course, my amazing sis gets credit for keyboard entry at least):  http://www.travelswithchelsea.com

The girls have been at this gig a while, and it's been fun to observe!  As they go, they grow in wit and wisdom, in vision and in the skill of digital photography on the road (which has its challenges and limitations).  The pair's online antics can be found in various venues, of course, including:

• https://www.facebook.com/travelswithchelsea
• https://www.pinterest.com/travelschelsea
• https://twitter.com/travelswchelsea, 
• https://travelswithchelsea.blogspot.com
• https://twitter.com/ldtroglin

Please allow me to insist that you visit these lovable scamps and support their mission (and if that doesn't do it, the dog is really a must-see anyway).

That's my animal act for today.

Jotting with Johnna
Imagine your dream adventure, complete with your travel companions.  Where would you go?  What activities would you try?  What foods might you explore?  Is there something you'd like to learn on your adventure?  Even envisioning such things can elicit good vibes!  Try it - I dare ya!

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Remember:  you are so very worthy to live a life of wellness, peace, and wonder!

Truly,
Johnna

Recent Revelations

What a wild and tumultuous set of transitions the last few years have held - for me, for my family and friends, for the world!  I'm standing at my PC in my new-to-me office in my new-to-me home with some not-new-at-all intentions resurrected.  I've been given to distraction many times in my life, usually involving patterns of engaging with others - patterns that serve neither my higher good nor theirs.  This year, I've determined to yield to the growth process, and also to rid myself of strife in its various manifestations, even if it costs me dearly.

Revelations of self-destructive patterns once deemed behind us can bring about confusion, shame, guilt - and, frankly, keep us trapped in those very cycles.  Even relationships that bring about situations and sensations that harm us repeatedly can be very dear to us - to the point we acquiesce to the will of others when God created and designed us to honor Him and what He wants us to do and be and have (Galatians 1:10).  My, how I wish this pattern of people-pleasing would cease in my life - no - I am committing that wish to God as a prayer of true contrition that I have allowed the opinions of those in my sphere - any of them - to usurp His authority and leadership.

I had a clear calling here to do this work - a work I began and have had fits-and-starts with because of the distractions these unhealthy connections have presented.  Non-versations with those involved have had me spinning my wheels while the things I'm meant to share get unsaid.

This post will stop short of apologies and excuses for my absence as such things waste even more time.  Rather, I hereby vow to be more present, more intentional, and more assertive in my pursuit to honor God in my writing, to put Him first in all I do, to maintain healthy boundaries and relationships, to courageously walk away from whatever or whomever detracts from that vision.  The yearning of my heart is to model the health, wholeness, and serenity provided through Christ; and I realize I've had less of that because of my misplaced need to please and keep "peace."  I refuse to further give up what cost my Savior the greatest price.  In yielded obedience, I return to my First Love - and I'm grateful that He gave us books like Hosea to remind us of His stubborn, steadfast love!

There are lessons to glean from the meandering path I have taken here.  As I learn, I hope to bestow the blessing of these recent revelations and so edify each reader of these words.

Jotting with Johnna
What steps can you take today to determine your mental/emotional territory?  What situations or behaviors stir up anxious thoughts or concerns; and what are you willing to change, accept, or further explore about those stimuli?  True friends will love you enough to honor boundaries when they are expressed with respect and kindness; so how will you examine, explain, and enforce those lines?

Remember, you are so very worthy of the effort, expense, and energy it takes to become the enthusiastic, empowered person you were designed to be!

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Johnna