Author Archives: watchwordsblog

January 22 “He who does nothing to stop evil condones it” ― Bangambiki Habyarimana Meditation: What a humanly understandable wish and prayer. “God, destroy the wicked and save those who want to follow you.” If only it were that easy! Usually murderers and liars live long, even if they have miserable and toxic lives, andContinue reading “Kill the Wicked?”

Vulnerability is the birthplace of connection and the path to the feeling of worthiness. If it doesn’t feel vulnerable, the sharing is probably not constructive. Brene Brown Meditation: Yesterday I spoke sternly, I even yelled a few words. I was upset. I was angry. As mother that is what you do when a teenager liesContinue reading “Teens feel vulnerable…”

Teenagers are some of the most passionate, dynamic and creative people I know. Yet, too often, this creative spark is left to flicker precariously and sometimes fade entirely. Malorie Blackman Meditation: I marvel when I watch my teenage twins. They can get passionate about a new idea or discovery in a blink of an eye.Continue reading “Teenage Spark…”

Someone who has experienced trauma also has gifts to offer all of us – in their depth, their knowledge of our universal vulnerability, and their experience of the power of compassion. Sharon Salzberg Meditation: Trauma is experienced in accidents, violence, abuse, neglect or sudden traumatic loss. Trauma happens to many individuals and by extension also toContinue reading “Trauma – Stigma or Gift?…”

Spiritual Leader Burnout reason number 9: Trying to be perfectly “holy” versus trying to become “whole” Some spiritual leaders have begun to reduce their worldview and value system to a microscopic spiritual perspective. Those leaders quote Scripture verses at every occasion and basically see everything from a spiritual angle. On the one hand, there isContinue reading ““Holy Perfection” No. 9″

First we learn that Jesus was the baby of a young couple who were in the midst of travelling and the conditions he was born into were less than desirable for a birth or a baby. Then we hear that because of a threat to his life, his parents had to take him as aContinue reading “Did Jesus have to be quiet?…”

We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting and relaxing. We worry too much. We don’t allow our bodies to heal, and we don’t allow our minds and hearts to heal. Thich Nhat Hanh Meditation: Today my fifteen year old daughter got inspired to clean out her room and start the New Year inContinue reading “Allowing to Heal…”

Spiritual Leader Burnout reason number 8: “Savior Complex” versus humility One of the seductive pulls of being spiritual leaders is falling for people’s projections of them being their “savior sent by God”. Many people would like to be “saved”. They see themselves in the victim position and want to become dependent on somebody who wouldContinue reading ““Savior Complex” No. 8″

Spiritual Leader Burnout reason number 7: Enmeshment versus clear boundaries As a spiritual leader it is seductive to become enmeshed with your role and let it “become everything”. Some spiritual leaders become workaholics. They have become enmeshed with their work itself. They often seize to pay much attention to their personal life outside of work.Continue reading “Clear Boundaries No. 7”

Spiritual Leader Burnout reason number 6: Shame versus healthy Self-love Spiritual leaders often have been raised in religious households and environments. The love of Self is usually not a value talked about or embodied in many religious homes. It is not even mentioned, or it is overshadowed by the commandment to love God and toContinue reading “The Lack of Self-love No.6”