It is our expectations of life that get us in trouble! If you didn't go into situations expecting things to go your way you wouldn't get so upset when they often don't. Expectations are a disease that we all have to varying degrees. Controlling dictator types are the worst, but you have it too, even in small things. We want family to behave certain ways, our work to go our way, even the weather to please us. It's all a set up for frustration and resentment. But we can do something about...

When you watch someone die on your phone it is traumatic. When we learn shocking news almost continually we get overwhelmed. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. How to manage? How to not lose your mind or your emotional balance when the world is so crazy? When we are wounded we need healing. We can't go on collecting wounds and ignore the urgent care we need. There's no cure for this, but there is help. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, ...

We are often so hurried or preoccupied that we miss the sacred when it is right in front of us. What if we noticed more? You might see more if you slow down just a bit, looked and saw. And then you could also let yourself be seen! Listen to this episode for some inspiration for seeing the sacred in the everyday. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, thoughtful encouragement.

Wouldn't you like your view to be clear? Who wants obstructions in the way when they are trying to see? It is the same in life as in windows, we want to see what we are looking for, not clutter. But what can you do when there are obstructions? Fight reality or complain? Maybe there is another choice. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, thoughtful encouragement.

Your life will be ruined if you choose wrong, right? It all hangs on each choice. Is decision making easy or hard for you? Do you fear making the wrong decisions? Surprisingly, there is some comfort in accepting your imperfection, your inability to know that each decision is the right one. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, thoughtful encouragement.

We are containers like boxes ourselves, holding things. Sometimes we hold little, sometimes just right, often we hold too much. Look around you and see the boxes. They are there. Consider the joy of a box that holds useful things. And they are most useful when they hold just the right amount, not too much, not too little. For a lot of reasons, we lean toward holding too much. We should hold faith, commitment, love, and whatever style we are created to be. And we must let go of what we don’t n...

The bucket of your life that is always pouring out. Lately it is not getting enough to refill it. Self-care isn’t keeping up with your sacrifice of time and attention on others. It seems impossible to keep up with the bad news as the stresses of our world have gotten worse. Listen in for some understanding and tips for carrying on in tough times! Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, thoughtful encouragement.

Have you noticed your internal running monolgue? Your thoughts come and go all day. Sometimes thoughts seem to chase and torment us. Other thoughts delight us. Either way, we can spend too much time on some of them. We may even "entertain them." This podcast looks at ways you might get better control of those thoughts. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

If you don't have the skill of interrupting you need it! Your life and contentment depends on it. Consider why and how to interrupt in your inner life so you can "take your thoughts captive" and not be captive to your thoughts! Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

Good sleep requires preparation, and some mental discipline at times. First, put away all screens 30 minutes or more before lying down. Do exercise earlier as well. See your doctor if your lack of sleep is causing physical symptoms. This episode gives a method that has worked for Jay. And it relates to being more in the moment. It might just do the trick for you! Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

Just for fun, here is an episode on spiders! Experiences with them and lessons from them. Don't underestimate small things, especially in nature. See what you think! Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

When the world around you seems to be going crazy, what can you do, where do you go to come back to center? Your want to feel safe and grounded. Your nervous system is seeking balance. And we will do almost anything to get balance, often unconsciously. But how we get there includes some unique techniques. First you must: 1. Identify that you are upset and what upset you, 2. Consider whether its in your control to change, 3. Change it or learn to live with it. &nb...

You’re riding along and someone says, “brace yourself.” What do you do? You tense up. Tensing up is common these days for all kinds of reasons. But it's helpful to notice when you do it, and learn ways to manage it. The reflex actions like tensing that we do often leads to more harm than good. Consider what else you can do in this episode. Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

Here's a great summary of how we often live life: wishing it could be different. We often miss the reality of life because while actual events are happening we are full of thoughts of how it ought to be instead. Like a childish tantrum we say, "I don't like this! I want something else!" This causes us to miss out on real time experience, the imperfect relationship, the less than perfect day, the imperfect you. We’re not present because we reject what is really happening. What if you acc...

When life is on automatic pilot, lots of blind spots keep you from seeing, even seeing yourself clearly. Look! Notice what is there, in yourself, and around you. Send us a text Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

We live in an unsettled time. Many different things, from personal to global can make us wary, tense or upset. We go on living but with an unsettled background running all the time. What can you do? Can't control nature or politicians. But we can do some things ourselves to move away from a constant state of vigilance. Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

The very word "distraction" indicates being taken away from something and led into something less important. When life distracts us, we lose focus on what we thought we wanted to be doing. We are captured by some seductive idea or passtime that sucks up time and attention. That's normal, but not a good thing. This episode explores distraction and what you should do about it! Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

Is there anything worse than blending into the woodwork, not being noticed, not being understood? It's painful when it happens to you, right? But we can do that same disservice to others. What if we didn't go through our days on autopilot, too busy, or too preoccupied to see the real people all around us? Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

How much power do you want? Does life leave you feeling powerless? Do you want to have power to control things? How much do you already have? Maybe there is another way to look at power. Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.

Under the surface of every living person is a set of Agendas. They are powerful, and if you don't know they are there, they can be dangerous. Do you want to know what is driving you and hurting others around you? You can be more aware, and possibly let go of unrealistic expectations that make life harder. Support the show Be Encouraged podcast is practical, in the moment, quick encouragement.