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Falling in Love with Your Life

2/16/2015

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36 Questions
Have you been hearing about the claim that if you ask 36 questions of a stranger, you will quite likely develop the kind of intimacy that will lead to romance? During the days leading up to Valentine's Day, the popularity of the 36 questions skyrocketed when Mandy Len Catron wrote an article sharing the research of Dr. Aron about this phenomenon. Catron added her own twist to the experiment when she suggested staring into the eyes of the other person for 4 minutes following the Q&A session.

Falling in Love with Your Life

As I read over the 36 questions, I was struck by how valuable they would be, not only for falling in love with someone else, but also for falling in love with oneself. The questions require us to reflect upon our likes, passions, experiences and aspirations in ways that help us get in touch with who we really are. When we tell stories about our lives, we realize just how fortunate we are to be alive, to have had the remarkable experience of life. And when we "stare" our lives in the face, we deepen our wisdom about how to navigate our life journey with grace and gratitude.      

Reflection Questions
What is it that you most want others to understand about you?

What are three things you really want to know about someone else? How freely do you share these things with others? How generous are you in sharing who you are with others?

On a scale of 1-5 (5 high), how much in love are you with your life? What would it take to get that to a 5 on a consistent basis?
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Sabbath Work

2/2/2015

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A Stark Comparison
A theology professor pointed out to a class of eager students an instructive way to think about the Sabbath. Compare these two stories, he said, about Big Work Projects. In the first book of Exodus, we read of how a Pharaoh in Egypt enslaved God's people and forced them to work on the construction of two cities. It was a bitter experience. Hard work made even harder because it was forced upon them.

But there is another story in Exodus, towards the end of the book. By this time, Moses has led the people out of bondage in Egypt and they are on their way to the Land of Promise. They begin work on a Big Project, the construction of a Tabernacle in which they will worship God. It was an exquisitely beautiful work of art, with colorful tapestries and gold fixtures. Though the work was hard, it was joyful.

This is the meaning of Sabbath, said the professor. When we are working out of the love in our hearts on Big Projects given to us by God, even our work is restful.


    Reflection Questions What part of your work is drudgery, forced upon you? Who or what enslaves you?

What part of your work is joyful, an assignment given to you by God that employs your best gifts?

What is something you'd like to commit to in the next six months that would be the kind of work that brings you pure Sabbath rest?


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    Margaret Morgan Maat
    Margaret Morgan Maat is a minister, coach, organizational effectiveness consultant, musician and motivational speaker. She lives in Houston, Texas. 

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Margaret Morgan Maat | 281-913-3328 | Houston, Texas

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