FEEDING THE SPIRIT
“ We can find ways to make small changes, and we must realize that there is justice for ourselves and others when self-care and service coexist.”
• Listen to audiobooks or interesting podcasts while doing mindless tasks.
• Read scripture or other spiritual works, especially as you head off to bed. (Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen is my current choice.)
• Listen to prayer, scripture, or meditation apps. I choose the Amen App to hear daily readings.
Hallow.com is very
popular.Pray-As-You-Go.orgoffers daily Ignatian spirituality. Tese often accompany me during walks or exercise.
• Create a playlist on Spotify that makes you feel happy. • Dance. • Engage in things that make you laugh.
• Use accrued leave for an occasional wellness day to avoid feeling burned out.
• Sign up for a retreat, in person or online, even if it’s only for a few hours.
• Have a mantra based on spirituality to recall during times of stress. (Mine is 1 Tessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances . . .”)
• At the end of the day, let go of things that have bothered you with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of humility. Remind yourself that you are wrapped in God’s grace, and embrace your own vulnerabilities just as God embraces you with love.
Well-Being in Our Work Lives
Tis is the most difficult area for us because we are called to serve, and we might see this calling as being in conflict with self-care. Removing stressors at work is also challenging because there are variables beyond our control, especially when we do not have set schedules and when emergency situations, such as funerals, take precedence. Nevertheless, we can find ways to make small changes, and we must realize that there is justice for ourselves and others when self-care and service coexist.
• Create boundaries, and stick to them. For example, avoid checking and answering emails past a given hour each day, honor your day off, leave work at a set time.
• When working from home, be cautious of working long hours.
• Delegate tasks to trusted volunteers.
• Decide that you do not need to have power in all situations. If you have no strong opposition to certain decisions, go along with the choices made by others. It can be freeing.
• Use your vacation days.
• If interaction with certain colleagues is stressful, choose friendly, short emails over conversation when appropriate.
• Be in touch with supportive colleagues.
• Avoid being drawn into negative conversations with others at work.
• Set the mood by starting each day with friendliness towards coworkers.
• If your workload is overwhelming, see what can be dropped. Include your administrator in this decision if needed.
• Start each week (or day) with a task list in order to find focus.
• Research retreats or other professional development opportunities that your church will fund, either fully or partially. Such things can give us a boost.
• Be gentle with yourself. Remember that we are not meant to be perfect, as long as we are faithful and are guided by love.
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