31 Days to Keep a Tender Heart: October 31

Well, I did it. I blogged for 31 days on one topic.

I was reminded of last fall when I blogged almost every day during Fire in the Night. I find that having a challenge to write daily helps me to write more. But, I also tend to put pressure on myself to do it perfectly, which means that I have to post every day. I intentionally chose not to blog on Sundays, to give myself a day of rest, and I took a few more days when I didn’t have anything to write. This protected me from the pressure of perfection because I started with an imperfect goal.

I hope that my heart is tenderer today, October 31, than it was on October 1. But, I am realizing more and more that I have to fight to keep a tender heart. Pursuing the goal to write about having a tender heart almost daily helped me to do more heart checks and take action when I discovered hardened places.

I haven’t had any big discoveries or significant insights. The only thing that felt really different was that I was inviting others into what I was thinking and feeling on a more regular basis. What was happening with me became the material for my posts and I opened the door for other people to see behind my “fine” façade. So many of you shared wonderful feedback with me and I really appreciated your words and reactions.

I have come to accept that I am a “blogger”, though this was much more difficult for me to see than it was for so many of you. I really do enjoy writing. And, I think that there is something valuable and vulnerable and healing in sharing my thoughts and feelings in a public way on a regular basis. I don’t know how often I will be posting now that October is finishing, but I have the intention to make it a regular habit.

Still Counting Gifts:

· #625: How Lily always waits to greet me just outside the bathroom door

· #626: Making coffee

· #627: God values me and my work, however small we may seem

· #628: Teaching others how to fight for joy and overcome suffering

· #629: Doing things for the first time

· #630: When Karyn picks out my clothes and everyone complements my outfit

· #631: Finding a TV show to share

· #632: Going home at the end of the day

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Transition

It's snowing outside my window. It just started to stick a little bit. I can see it on the trees and covering the leaves. This is the first snow of the season. It means change is coming. Fall coats are no longer be sufficient. Hats, scarves and gloves become a part of my daily wardrobe. My car needs time to warm up and I should fill up with gas when it gets down to 1/4 tank. I really like this time of year. Fall is ending and winter is coming. I like snuggling in front of a fire and wearing sweaters. I like drinking hot chocolate, apple cider and spice tea, in addition to my usual coffee consumption. I like Thanksgiving, the holiday and the practice. While I welcome this change in season, I am so aware of how I am struggling in my own transition. I have spent several hours contacting insurance companies to change my name now that I am doing business as Jody Striker, LCPC. Ben is still collecting our things from the various places where we have been storing them. Th

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pursuing LOVE...and JOY...and WHOLEHEARTEDNESS!

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