Podcasts about reflect

What do you do when there's no one to turn to and every decision rests on you? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill answer raw, real questions from law firm owners navigating isolation, leadership doubts, and the pressure to stay strong when everything feels uncertain. From managing tough team decisions to questioning your purpose as a business owner, Michael shares why staying in the arena, even when you're tired, scared, or second-guessing yourself, is the mark of true leadership. Here's what you'll learn: How to make hard calls when you have no one to confide in Why every leader questions their purpose and how to push through the low points What it takes to build a trusted community that keeps you grounded and growing When the weight of leadership feels heaviest, that's when you prove you're built for it. ---- 06:28 – Jessica reads a listener question about making hard decisions without anyone to confide in. 06:57 – Michael discusses isolation in leadership and why the Crisp Community exists to combat it. 10:12 – Michael uses a Reddit story and triathlon training as a metaphor for consistency and identity in leadership. 10:54 – Michael describes the moments every entrepreneur questions whether they're cut out for this. 14:13 – Michael breaks down why knowledge only becomes power when paired with behavioral change. 15:19 – Michael explains why struggle is part of the journey and how adversity builds the next level of leadership. 16:44 – Michael opens up about decision fatigue and the importance of trusting your team. ---- Links & Resources: The Game Changers Summit Steve Jobs Tim Cook ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 387. AMMA — Stop Cleaning Up Their Mess: The Secret to a Self-Sufficient Team 363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro 331. AMMA — Failure to Reflect is Failure to Grow: The Brutal Truth About Staying Stuck

If you find yourself constantly craving sugary sweets and desserts—this episode is for you. There's a reason this is happening (and it's not entirely your fault!) and there are ways to stop your cravings—in the moment and for the long term.  I sit down with Dr. Nicole Avena, a neuroscientist and a Princeton and Mount Sinai professor, and one of the world's leading researchers on sugar addiction, to uncover what sugar is really doing to your brain. We dive deep into the biology of cravings and how the modern food environment is designed to keep you hooked. You'll learn why “natural” sweeteners might not actually be the solution, and the small changes that work to reduce your sugar intake without going cold turkey. You'll leave with a clear understanding of how sugar impacts your mental and physical health—and the science-backed tools to curb your sweet tooth.

Read Online“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'”  Luke 15:4–6Some of the great saints point out that the number one hundred represents perfection. One hundred refers to the perfection of the Kingdom of God, which represents not only all of the saints in Heaven but also the angels. The one lost sheep represents all of humanity as we make our way through this life. Jesus, of course, is the Shepherd Whose attention turns to fallen humanity on a diligent search for us so as to carry us home.First, notice that the Shepherd does not search for the one stray sheep out of anger but out of concern and love. Understanding this is essential if we are to have a correct understanding of how our Lord sees us when we stray. We must see His deep concern, His diligence in searching, and His unwavering commitment to find us in our straying condition. This is not a God Who sits back in judgment and anger but a God Who came to us, took on our fallen human nature, and endured all suffering so as to find us and bring us home.Notice also that in this parable, the Shepherd places the lost sheep on His shoulders and carries the sheep home. Oftentimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that we must make our way back to God by our own effort. But the truth is that God is always there, waiting to pick us up and carry us home. Our duty is to surrender to His merciful hands and to stop running. This is done by turning to Him and allowing Him to come to us and minister to us. The primary effort is on the part of our Lord once we surrender ourselves into His gentle Hands.Finally, notice that the rejoicing mentioned in this parable is on the part of the Shepherd. Of course we also will rejoice at being picked up and carried home to the perfection of God's Kingdom, but our rejoicing is done in response to the joy of our Lord. It is His joy we are invited to share in. It is His heart that is filled with gratitude as we allow Him to tenderly carry us home. “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep,” He says. Reflect, today, upon this holy image of the Good Shepherd. As you ponder this parable and imagery, be attentive to the various thoughts, memories, emotions and fears that are evoked within you. Each one of us is different, and our Lord deeply desires to come to each one of us right where we are, in the midst of our sins. Pondering the compassion of this Good Shepherd will open the door for our Lord to speak to you and to invite you personally to come to Him, turning away from the ways that you personally have strayed. Do not run away. Remain in confidence as He comes to you. Listen to His voice and say “Yes” to Him as He lifts you up to carry you home. My gentle Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. You love me and search for me with diligence and fidelity. May I trust You enough to stop running from You and hiding from Your gentle voice. Please come to me, pick me up, place me on Your shoulders and carry me home. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via PixabaySource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Listeners and Hill Notes reflect on the Blizzard of 1978.

Season 9's newest Mental Man Monday livestream might be the most faith-filled and confrontational one yet. After a week off, Izzy Baker returns with DJ No Name, co-host of The HL Podcast, for an unfiltered conversation that blends spiritual awakening with cultural reality.The night begins with a bold recap of the latest PSA: The Mental Health Podcast episode, “Can Men and Women Truly Be Friends?” DJ No Name gives Izzy his flowers for hosting one of the most transparent, necessary, and uncomfortable conversations men have ever had about friendship, temptation, and maturity. Speaking from the lens of marriage, DJ No Name admits how rare it is to see Black men display this level of honesty and vulnerability on-camera.From there, the dialogue pivots into current events — specifically UPS's 48,000 layoffs and what Izzy calls “the season of uncomfortable exits.” He draws a powerful parallel between economic instability and spiritual transition, warning that when God closes doors, it's not rejection — it's redirection. “You can't go back to Egypt,” Izzy declares. “You can't run back to what He freed you from.”The conversation heats up even more when they address Pastor Jamal Bryant's controversial move to suspend church tithes for the entire month of November, instead collecting canned goods for families affected by SNAP cuts. DJ No Name questions whether Bryant's decision was genuine sacrifice or clever PR, while Izzy argues that this is what real ministry looks like — giving without expecting a return.As the stream wraps, both men confront what it truly means to keep faith in famine, to trust purpose through layoffs, and to stay generous in a selfish world. This episode isn't just about religion — it's about resistance. It's about not running back to comfort when God is calling you to grow.Listen. Reflect. Don't just survive this season — shift through it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.TrustBuilder Package

It's critical to take time off after a big training block, but as runners it can be hard to convince ourselves to do it. Nathan and Andrea team up to talk all things offseason and base building to help you plan how to build back stronger after your latest training. They give you their favorite strategies and tips as coaches on how to effectively recover, incorporate strength-training, and plan for the next big race. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Visit ⁠https://www.skratchlabs.com⁠LEVER Movement⁠ is portable and effective body weight support systems. Our products, including the LEVER System that allow users to reduce their effective body weight during exercise ( from 0 to 45 pounds off). This reduction is achieved through our bungee system that redistribute a portion of the user's body weight, making exercises less strenuous and more manageable. LEVER Movement is committed to revolutionizing the way you train and recover, providing you with the tools to achieve your fitness goals with greater confidence and reduced risk. Visit ⁠https://levermovement.com⁠.Chapters0:00 - Intro1:56 - In for Testing: powered by Skratch Labs17:40 - Our current favorite winter gear25:34 - What does an offseason look like?35:56 - You actually have to take time off running41:12 - Offseasons are the time to change things up44:22 - Reflect & plan50:16 - Have a consistent weight-lifting routine54:44 - How to get started lifting57:26 - When's the best time to lift?58:42 - Add plyometrics1:01:50 - The offseason is the time to pain & injuries1:08:04 - Wrap-up

If you're thinking “I'll figure out my 2026 plan in January” this episode is for you

Healing for the Soul Podcast | Season 6: Episode 38Guest: Gloria Vanderhorst – Psychologist, Author of Read, Reflect, Respond: The Three R's of Growth and ChangeTopic: Why Husbands DisappointWhy do so many men struggle to express emotions and how does that impact relationships?

Read OnlineGreat crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:25–26After this startling opening line from our Lord, Jesus concludes today's Gospel by saying, “In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Thus, at first read it appears that we are called to not only renounce all we possess but also to hate those within our own family. But is this truly what our Lord means? Let's begin with the idea of “hating” those within our family and even our own life.Obviously the word “hate” in this Gospel passage is not the same as the sin of hate and anger. In commenting on this passage, one Church Father explains that there are some cases when the best way to love another is through a form of hate. That is, if another were to act as an obstacle to God, working to deter us from the will of our Lord, then our “hatred” for the actions they do must be firmly expressed. But this is love. A refusal to turn from God, by rejecting another's disordered actions, is a way of sharing the Gospel with them. Let's take an extreme example. Imagine that you lived at a time and circumstance where being a Christian was a crime. You were arrested and commanded to publicly renounce your faith. Instead, you renounced that command with every strength of your soul. In this case, you exercise a form of holy “hate” for the persecution the person is imposing upon you. But that is also an act of love toward them as you fully reject their action by renouncing their command.Or consider also how you hate even your “own life.” Let's say that you fall into serious sin, over and over. The appropriate response is not only to repent but also to have a form of holy hatred for the habit into which you have fallen. This is a true hatred for yourself in the sense that it is a hatred for that which you have become by your sin. But this holy hatred has the ultimate goal of passionately overcoming your sin and is therefore a true act of love for yourself.The concluding line of today's Gospel mentioned above calls us to renounce all of our possessions. In other words, we must renounce anything that we are attached to in a way that is contrary to the will of God. Of course, in God's providence most people (except those who take a vow of poverty) are invited by God to have various possessions so as to meet the material needs of life. But even in this case, we must “renounce” all that we possess, meaning, we must not allow ourselves to become attached to anything other than God. But this is freedom in the truest sense. Even if you have many things, it must be understood that those things do not make you happy. Only God and His will can fulfill you. Nothing else. Thus, we must learn to live as if God and God alone suffices. And if it is God's will that you obtain a house, car, computer, television and other modern conveniences, then so be it. But true “renunciation” of all of these possessions simply means that if at any time you were to lose them, then this would be fine. Therein is perfect detachment. The loss of something material would not deter you in any way from loving and serving God and His holy will.Reflect, today, upon these radical words of Jesus. Try to hear them in the way our Lord meant them. Work to be detached from everything that is contrary to the will of God and everything that becomes an obstacle to God in your life. In the end, possessing God alone is more than you could ever hope for. And only if you fully possess our merciful God will you be able to love yourself and others with the pure heart and love of Jesus our Lord. My demanding Lord, You call us all to a life of radical holiness. You desire that I come to love You above all with all my heart. Please give me the grace and wisdom I need to renounce all that is an obstacle to my love and service of You. May You and You alone be glorified in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

What if the secret to thriving as a new manager is not found in your title, but in how you show up—day after day—for your peers and team? In this hands-on episode of Leaders of Transformation, we sit down with Noel Massie, former VP of US Delivery Operations at UPS and author of the essential guide Congrats! You've Been Promoted. Drawing on over forty years of frontline leadership, Noel Massie reveals what it really takes to succeed when you step into a supervisory role—no matter your age or experience. Sharing stories from UPS and practical wisdom for new managers, Noel Massie unpacks the core habits that set effective leaders apart: cultivating peer champions, learning from mentors, embracing patience, and investing in hands-on growth. This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice, role-play techniques, and concrete strategies to help you transition, inspire, and lead with confidence from day one. Whether you're newly promoted or preparing for your first management position, you'll find motivation, real-world examples, and a blueprint for turning your promotion into lasting impact. What We Discuss in this Episode The biggest mindset shift required for new managers. How "showing up" for others creates lasting influence in any organization. Why coaching and humility are indispensable for growth. What proactive steps every manager should take immediately after promotion. Real-world role plays: handling difficult team members and conflict—UPS style. The importance of embodied leadership values (not just policies). How to understand and align with your team's core motivators. Practical ways to build trust and respect on the front lines. Breaking through impatience and career plateaus as a leader. Feedback mechanisms for continual growth. Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 Leadership Tips for New Managers 06:22 Career Journey Growth Through Mentorship 08:59 Be a Team Player 11:44 Lessons from a Barbershop 15:17 Humility Fuels Entrepreneurial Growth 17:46 Success, Expectations and Control 22:15 Practical Leadership for Frontliners 25:41 Core Values and Boundaries 28:52 Servant Leadership Mindset Explained 30:19 Leadership Shifting Focus From Self 33:28 Effective Leadership Through Listening 37:13 Origins of Core Values 42:26 Leadership: A Transformative Progression 45:50 Bridging Leadership Culture Disconnects 48:04 Leadership Requires Frontline Support 50:38 Reflect on Leadership Feedback 10 Key Takeaways for New Managers Success begins with serving others—help your peers; they'll become your champions and advocates. Coaching is essential at every level; seek mentors and role models, and don't hesitate to learn from them. Be patient and humble; accept feedback and make corrections—that's how real growth happens. Give more than you expect to receive; generosity builds organizational trust and influence. Find out who excels in your team or company—study their habits and build relationships. After being promoted, invest in developing your leadership skills; don't wait for formal training. Role play and rehearse difficult scenarios so you're prepared for tough conversations. Make culture tangible by putting values like integrity, respect, and communication into daily action. Meet with your team members individually; discover their motivators and non-negotiables. Request honest feedback and commit to self-reflection—leadership is a continual discipline. Favorite Quotes "You can't hope to get more than you give." "Leadership isn't just a promotion—it's a discipline." "Culture is built at the top, but it's executed at the bottom." Ready to transform your approach and succeed as a new manager? Dig into this episode, grab Noel Massie's book, and start practicing—because real leadership is learned on the ground, one interaction at a time. Episode Resources https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/546-how-to-succeed-as-a-new-manager-lessons-from-ups-and-beyond-with-noel-massie Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________

When Faith Meets Wellness: Caring for Your Body and Home God's Way Your faith and your health were never meant to live apart. In this listener-favorite episode, you'll discover how Scripture offers timeless guidance on caring for your body, your home, and your overall well-being in a way that honors God.

Read Online“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.”  Luke 14:16–18Do you ever excuse yourself from the will of God? Do you pass up His invitation to feast at the table of His great dinner? More than anything else, the invitation God has given us to this “great dinner” is the invitation to participate in the Holy Mass and to pray. The fact that some would regularly excuse themselves from such an invitation shows that they do not understand that to which they have been invited. Others attend physically, but interiorly they are far from the feast that they attend.In this parable, one after another of the invited guests did not come. So the man throwing the dinner sent out an invitation to “the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.” This is a reference to those Jews of Jesus' time who recognized their need for the gift of salvation. They are those who were aware of their weaknesses and sins and knew that Jesus was the answer.After the poor, crippled, blind and lame came to the feast, there was still more room. So the man sent his servants to invite those from “the highways and hedgerows” which is a reference to the Gospel being preached to the Gentiles who were not of Jewish origin.Today, this feast continues to be offered. There are many lax Catholics, however, who refuse to come. There are those who find that life is too busy for them to make time for prayer and for Mass. They are those who are so caught up in worldly pursuits that they see little personal benefit in devoting themselves to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.If you wish to be among those who attend the feast of our Lord, you must work to identify yourself with the poor, crippled, blind and lame. You must recognize your brokenness, weaknesses and sins. You must not shy away from seeing yourself this way because it is to those that Jesus sends a desperate invitation. His desperation is an all-consuming desire for us to share in His love. He wants to love and heal those in need. We are those who are in need.When we come to our Lord's Feast through prayer, fidelity to His Word, and by our participation in the Sacraments, we will notice that He wants others to join us for His feast. Therefore, we must also see ourselves as those servants who are sent forth to the highways and hedgerows where we will find those who do not follow God's will. They must be invited. Though they might not feel as though they belong, God wants them at His feast. We must do the inviting. Reflect, today, upon two things. First, reflect upon any excuse you regularly use when God invites you to pray, to deepen your faith, and to participate in the Eucharist. Do you respond immediately and with eagerness? Or do you excuse yourself more often than you want to admit? Reflect, also, upon the duty given to you by God to go forth to the most lost souls so as to invite them to God's feast. Our Lord wants everyone to know they are invited. Let Him use you to send forth His invitation. My generous Lord, You have invited me to share in the glory of Your great Feast. You invite me every day to pray, grow strong in my faith, and to share in the Holy Eucharist. May I always respond to You and never excuse myself from Your invitations. Please also use me, dear Lord, to send forth Your invitation to those most in need. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. and DT DaVon Hamilton speak with the media on Monday after a 30-29 win over the Raiders in Week 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitabilityMake sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out. Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithTheProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Adam Rath to reflect on the journey and evolution of their industry mastermind group. Adam shares how the group has grown from its early days, emphasizing the importance of building a community where shop owners can collaborate and hold each other accountable. The hosts discuss the impact of implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in their businesses, highlighting its role in shaping leadership and clarifying organizational vision.00:00 Leadership Restructuring and Future Plans05:58 Growth and Accountability Through Masterminds13:41 Addressing Customer Education Gaps20:16 "Self-Implementing EOS Journey"24:36 Assessing Employee Alignment & Capability27:01 End-Year Hiring Pitfalls32:55 Survival Over Vision39:59 Protective Leadership Commitment43:56 Personal Reflection on Growth Ambitions50:32 "Reviving Vision in Medical Device Sales"57:02 Reflect and Appreciate Progress01:02:56 Intentional Clarity Breaks01:04:48 Streamlined Meeting Schedule Changes01:08:32 "Successful Business and Industry Giveback"

Welcome to season 4, episode 4 of the Stock Trading for Beginners Podcast! If trading is so profitable, why doesn't everyone do it? In this episode we talk about the 7 invisible barriers that sabotage beginners—not the markets or smarts, but fixable issues like info overload and mindset traps. I share how to overcome them for stress-free trading.Resource:Join our FREE Skool group: https://Skool.com/tradingKey Topics: Overwhelm from Information Overload I wasted months on day trading because endless online strategies led to analysis paralysis. The fix: Reflect on your schedule and eliminate mismatched approaches. Align with your lifestyle before diving deep—join a group or mentor for a fitting strategy.Mindset Over Mechanics Charts matter, but emotions like greed, fear, anger, overconfidence, and poor discipline derail plans. I counter them with disciplined entries, journaling, breaks, rule adherence, and checklists. Master psychology to avoid quitting early.Craving Quick Wins Over Steady Gains Social media flaunts overnight riches, but real success is patient compounding. I warn against chasing flashiness—if you need fast cash, you'll make bad decisions. Focus on long-term strategies where patience equals profits.Clash with Daily Routines Day trading didn't fit my 9-5 and family life. I recommend swing or position trading for flexibility—no need to watch markets live. Choose strategies that match your commitments to avoid burnout.Underestimating Skill-Building Time Mastery isn't just videos; it's hands-on practice charting stocks and spotting patterns. I emphasize deliberate grind—excitement fades, but discipline builds you as a trader. Commit to the work beyond initial hype.Falling for Flashy Shortcuts Relying on others' picks keeps you dependent. I started with mentors but aimed for independence—learn to fish, build conviction. Avoid unease from copying; use communities to gain skills for solo trading.Lacking a Good Community Trading alone breeds doubt and early quits. I stress joining accountability groups focused on the same strategy for support, shared charts, and habits. It's key to persistence.TakeawaysThese barriers are fixable with mindset shifts, lifestyle-aligned strategies, and community support. Trading becomes simple once tackled. Join the Skool group at https://www.skool.com/trading for our free course, weekly analysis, and partners.Send me some feedback!Join Our Free Community on Skool:https://www.skool.com/trading

Read Online“When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” Luke 14:12–14Is Jesus telling us that it is sinful to invite friends and family to a dinner party? Certainly not. He is teaching us about something much deeper. Throwing a dinner party for others is good when our motive is love. But if the goal of the dinner, or any other act of charity, is vainglory, then the vanity we achieve from such an act is the payment we will receive. Sadly, the “payment” of vainglory is sought and obtained by many in various ways. Jesus' lesson teaches us that our only motive for the good we do should be the humble and hidden motive of loving service.As a result of the temptation to pride, we can easily find ourselves being inordinately concerned about what others think about us. Holding a lunch or dinner for friends, family, and your wealthy neighbors is simply an illustration of the sin of pride at work. Within this context, Jesus is speaking about a person who performs some act for the sole purpose of building up their self-image and obtaining praise and flattery from others. This form of “glory” is truly vain in that it is not only worthless to the good of the soul, it is also damaging. Why do you do what you do? Are your good actions done so that others will see and praise them? Do you go out of your way to show people how good you are? Are you overly concerned about the opinions of others? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you might be struggling with pride more than you realize.On the contrary, are you content with doing some good deed that is hidden from the eyes of others? Can you take delight solely in helping others, even if no one knows about it? Are you motivated to serve and give of yourself for the exclusive reason that you want to make a difference in the lives of others? This is what Jesus means when He says you should hold a banquet for the poor, crippled, lame, blind, and everyone who is unable to repay you. In other words, when you are not able to receive the “reward” of vainglory, that is good. That must be your goal.Reflect, today, upon how strong your desire is for notoriety. Consider some scenario where you worked hard day and night for some time to do some good work. Imagine that the good work accomplished great benefits for others. Then imagine that no one knew you were behind that good work and, therefore, you received no gratitude or acknowledgment. How would you feel? Ideally, you would rejoice for two reasons. First, you would rejoice that you were able to serve and make a difference. Second, you would rejoice that God and God alone was aware of your act of charity. When God sees our goodness and selfless service, He puts Himself in debt to us in a certain sense. The “debt” that God takes on is His gratitude and love which are expressed to us through eternal rewards of His making. Seek to obtain these eternal rewards by striving to serve in the most hidden and humble ways possible. Those rewards infinitely surpass the fleeting rewards of vainglory. Most glorious God, You came to earth to suffer and die. In that act of perfect love You brought about the greatest good ever known. You offered this holy service of love in the most hidden and humble of ways. As a result, You are now glorified forever. Help me to share in Your acts of humble and hidden service so that I, too, may one day share in the glory of Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

We talk about why immersive experiences are so energizing and interesting. We also explore how we can know ourselves better by considering what the algorithm reflects back to us about our interests, and we talk about the satisfaction of clearing clutter. Resources & links related to this episode: Masquerade Viola's Room Life in Five Senses Titanic Virtual Experience Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin D. St Clergy joins us today to shake things up and challenge the way we think about our problems. He's not just your average guest; he's a breakthrough specialist and the author of “Beyond Blind Blaming,” a book that helps folks uncover the real issues behind their struggles. Kevin's approach is all about seeing beyond the blame game—because let's be real, we've all been there, pointing fingers while the real problems hide in plain sight! With his RCD method, which stands for Reflect, Connect, and Decide, Kevin offers a fun and effective way to break free from the cycle that keeps us stuck. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's dive into a conversation that's all about finding clarity, making bold decisions, and maybe even having a few laughs along the way!Takeaways: In today's episode, we unpack the journey of breaking through limitations with Kevin D. St Clergy, who challenges the conventional mindset. Kevin shares that the best advice he ever received was how you do anything is how you do everything, emphasizing personal accountability. The core of Kevin's breakthrough methodology is the RCD method, which stands for Reflect, Connect, and Decide, a framework for transformative change. Blind blaming keeps us stuck in a cycle of finger-pointing, preventing us from recognizing the real issues that hold us back from success. Links referenced in this episode:blindblaming.com

Read Online“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” John 6:40Yesterday's Solemnity of All Saints gave us an opportunity to celebrate and rejoice in the fact that there are countless people who have gone before us who are now enjoying the glories of Heaven. These faithful souls lived lives that were grounded in God's grace and have been fully purified of all sin. They now gaze at our good God face-to-face.Today, we commemorate the fact that many who die in a state of grace are not immediately ready to stand before the glorious throne of God and see Him face-to-face. The only way this is possible is if every sin and every attachment to sin is purged from our souls. We must have nothing but pure charity alive within us if we are to enter the eternal glories of Heaven. But how many people die in such a state?The Church, in her wisdom and holiness, has taught clearly through the centuries that when a person passes from this world to the next while still attached to less serious sin, they need to be fully purified in order to enter Heaven. This is Purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (#1030–31a).For some, Purgatory can be a frightening and even confusing thought. Why doesn't God, in His infinite mercy, simply take all our loved ones who followed Him straight to Heaven? The answer is simple. He does! And the path for them to Heaven is this incredible mercy of their final purification.Purification of all attachment to sin within our soul is a mercy beyond what we can imagine. Through this final purification, God prepares the holy souls who have died for an eternity of joy. But this purification is necessary because God, in His love, does not want any soul to live eternally with even a minor attachment to sin. God wants us all free. The truth is that every sin on our soul, even the smallest one, is reason enough for us to be excluded from Heaven. So Purgatory must be seen as a final mercy from God by which He lifts every last burden that keeps us from perfect love, so that our eternity will be one of utmost freedom and ecstasy. God wants us to be filled only with the purity of love forever. Thus, upon our death, we are graced to enter into a final and intense purification of every minor sin, so that when we see God in all His glory, we will see Him with the perfection to which we are called. Purgatory is a gift, a grace, a mercy. It will be painful to go through in the same way that overcoming any sin is painful. But the good fruit of freedom from sin makes every final purification we must endure worth it a hundredfold and more. Reflect, today, upon the spiritual truth that God wants you to be a saint. If you are among those few who die in a state in which you are purified from every sin, then be assured that you have already completed your purgatory on earth. But if you or your loved ones are among the many who still hold some minor attachment to sin at the time of death, then rejoice that God is not done with you yet. Anticipate with much gratitude the final purification that awaits and look forward to the freedom that ultimately comes from that purification. My merciful Lord, You desire that my soul and the souls of all your faithful be purified of every sin, even the smallest imperfection. I thank You for the mercy of Purgatory and pray that I will continually work toward that purification here and now. I pray, also, for all those who have gone before me and are still in need of these purifying fires. Pour forth Your mercy upon them so that they may be counted among the saints in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Luca Giordano, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Discussion on Discourse 05 (May 24, 1973) - Part 2Among the thousands of discourses delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, those that He gave as part of the Summer Course series are remarkably special. They are focused on specific spiritual themes, and as they are for youngsters, the elucidation is gradual. In this series, members of SSSMC go through the discourses delivered as part of the 1973 Summer Course Series. These discourses were on Adi Shankara's Bhaja Govindam.'Shravanam Mananam Nidhidhyasanam' which can be translated as 'Listen, Reflect and Assimilate' is a Vedantic edict to the spiritual aspirant on how the Supreme Truths are to be approached and absorbed. In this series, short clips of the discourses are listened to and reflected upon, with the prayer that the assimilation happens.

Have you ever felt your ministry energy start to fade a few months into the season? That sense of slowing down, coasting, or even drifting can happen to the best of us — but it doesn't have to keep you stuck. In this episode, Eric shares some thought around why drift happens — the human, spiritual, and cultural forces that quietly pull us off course — and how we can return to the fire of mission. Show Notes / Key Points: Naming the Drift Feeling flat or coasting in ministry is normal. Drift happens when we stop intentionally moving toward mission. Key insight: to drift, we simply need to do… nothing. Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14 NRSV Why Drift Happens Human side: fatigue, busyness, and familiarity. Rest and relational honesty help restore energy. (Matthew 11:28-30) Spiritual side: losing connection to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Abiding in Him is the source of fruitfulness. (John 15:4-5, Romans 8:26) Cultural side: pressure for constant growth and visible success. Trust God's rhythms of pruning and seasons. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Returning to the Fire of Mission Return to relationship: spend time with Jesus, remember your identity as a beloved child of God. (1 John 4:19, Ephesians 2:10) Reconnect with the Holy Spirit: pray for guidance, boldness, and renewed vision. (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:16) Remember your why and who: focus on the people God has placed in your life and ministry. (Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 3:15) Reflect on your witness: love is the first way people encounter the Gospel. Re-engage in community: ministry flourishes in shared life, prayer, and encouragement. (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11) Closing Encouragement The Spirit who called you is still with you. You can fan the flame of your God-given gift for mission. (2 Timothy 1:6-7) Proclaim Team Resources: In-person trainings, workshops, and leadership summits to help leaders refocus on mission. Examples: Accompaniment Masterclass, Rescue Project support, Alpha parish sessions. Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

We explore Día de los Muertos as a ritual that nurtures community, imbues loss with meaning, and helps us process grief while also connecting through shared joy.Summary: We investigate how Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead,  rituals strengthen family ties and cultural identity, and learn about its evolution from a 3,000 year old practice to a global celebration. We look at key elements like the ofrenda and explore how commercialization—like Mattel's Day of the Dead Barbie—raises questions about balancing tradition with modern influences.This episode is made possible through the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation.How To Do This Practice: Set an intention: Begin by reflecting on who or what you want to honor, focusing on connection and gratitude rather than loss. Let this intention guide the energy of your ritual. Create a space of offering: Choose a spot in your home and make it a place of remembrance. Gather meaningful items like photos, flowers, candles, or anything that holds personal or ancestral significance. Invite the elements: Bring in water, fire, wind, and earth in simple ways—perhaps a candle, a glass of water, a plant, or a piece of fabric that moves gently in the air—to represent balance and harmony. Add a personal touch: Offer something that carries memory, like a favorite food, scent, or song of someone you love. These gestures transform remembrance into a living connection. Gather in community: Invite others to join you in building the altar or sharing stories and food. Coming together in this way turns memory into collective celebration and strengthens belonging. Reflect and release: When the ritual feels complete, take a few quiet moments to notice what you feel. Offer gratitude for the connections that remain and carry their presence forward into daily life. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today's Guests:MICHELLE TELLÉZ is an Associate Professor in Mexican-American studies at Arizona State University.Learn more about Michelle: https://tinyurl.com/2ph3can7MATHEW SANDOVAL, a.ka. "Dr. Muerte," is an artist and Associate Professor at Arizona State University. He is a leading expert on Día de los Muertos.Learn more about Mathew: mathewsandoval.comRelated The Science of Happiness episodes:  The Healing Effects of Experiencing Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/bde5av4zWho's Always There For You: https://tinyurl.com/yt3ejj6wHow Thinking About Your Ancestors Can Help You Thrive: https://tinyurl.com/4u6vzs2wRelated Happiness Breaks:A Meditation on Love and Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/ye6baxv3A Meditation to Connect With Your Roots: https://tinyurl.com/ycy9xazcTell us about your experience with this practice. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/jerruy47

Read OnlineWhen Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 1–3Today we celebrate one of the most glorious solemnities within our Church! Every saint, canonized or not, is honored today. Our Gospel passage lays out the path by which these saints entered Heaven. While on earth, these great men and women lived lives that were poor in spirit, filled with a holy mourning, meekness, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, peace, purity of heart and even persecution. Each one of these Beatitudes concludes by stating the reward that those who lived these qualities obtains: Heaven, comfort, satisfaction, mercy, seeing God, being children of God and rewards beyond what we can imagine in God's Kingdom.The Beatitudes invite us to the heights of holiness. They are not for the faint of heart or for those living a lukewarm spiritual life. These Beatitudes present us with the pinnacle of holy living and challenge us to the core. But every effort put into living these Beatitudes are worth it here on earth and ultimately in Heaven. Let's look briefly at two of these Beatitudes.The second Beatitude states that those “who mourn...will be comforted.” This is an interesting Beatitude. Why is it holy to mourn? Simply put, this form of holy mourning means that you not only have a holy sorrow for your own sins but that you have this holy sorrow as you see the many evils within our world. This is crucial today. First, it should be quite obvious that we must have holy sorrow for our own sins. Doing so means your conscience is working. And when your conscience is working, you will be compelled, by this holy sorrow, to acknowledge your offenses against God and work diligently to change. But we must also have a holy sorrow as we see the many evils within our world. Too often today there is a tendency to undermine this Beatitude by presenting universal acceptance of all things as a good. We are told we must not judge, and though that is true when it comes to judging another's heart, a worldly presentation of this secular “virtue” attempts to lead us to downplay the objective nature of sin. Our secular world tempts us to ignore many objective moral truths by which God guides us into all truth. But as Christians, our first approach must be to despise all that our Lord taught was objectively morally evil. And when we do come face-to-face with immoral lifestyles, the appropriate response must be holy sorrow, not acceptance of grave sin. To mourn over another's poor choices is a true act of charity toward them. The fourth Beatitude calls us to “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” This means that we not only have a holy sorrow over our sins and the objective evils of our world, but that we also allow ourselves to be filled with a hunger and thirst for truth and holy living. This drive must become a burning motivation within us to do all we can to further the Kingdom of God everywhere. This Beatitude enables us to overcome indifference, inspiring us to bring about change in the face of all opposition. And this drive is fueled by charity and every other accompanying virtue. Reflect, today, upon the beautiful truth that you are called to become a saint. And the surest path to sainthood is the Beatitudes. Read them carefully. Meditate upon them and know that they reveal to you how God is calling you to live. If one of these Beatitudes stands out to you, then spend time focusing upon it. Work to internalize these graces, and God will work wonders in your life, one day making this solemnity within our Church a true celebration of your life well lived. My most holy Lord, You reign now in Heaven and desire that Your glorious Kingdom be firmly established upon earth. Give me the grace I need to seek holiness with all my heart and to especially use Your revelation of the Beatitudes as the path by which I travel. I pray that I will become a true saint in this world and that You will use me to further Your Kingdom now and for eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Sebastiano Conca, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Daily Dose of Hope October 31, 2025 Scripture – John 13:18-38 Prayer: Abba Father, We come to you today, grateful for your love and care in our lives. Thank you for your presence and your peace. Help us to gather our scattered thoughts and set aside distractions so we can focus on what you have for us today. In the next few moments of silence, Lord, help me be still and know that you are God...We give you all the glory, Lord Almighty. Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. As most of you know, we have been going through the Gospels and Acts. Today, we finish up John 13. In John's Gospel, there is an extended text about Jesus predicting Judas' betrayal. When asked who will be the one to betray him, Jesus says the one he dips the bread and offers it to. Jesus then dips the bread and gives it to Judas. He tells Judas to do what he is going to do and do it quickly. I often wondered why the disciples didn't notice this interaction more. They seem someone oblivious and lost in their own thoughts. Maybe they each wondered if they could be the one to betray their Master? John writes of a point in which Judas allows Satan to enter him. He had previously been influenced by Satan but now he has allowed the devil to have his way with him. At first, he opened the door a little. Then, he just opened the door wide. The devil had been feeding him lies, and Judas started believing them, totally and completely. The devil tempted him with money, and Judas found 30 pieces of silver more valuable than the God. Jesus told Judas that joy was to be found in sacrificially serving others, but Judas believed that Satan's way of putting self first was better. We recently went to a clergy training on deliverance, led by Pete Bellini, a professor at United Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. It was absolutely incredible and I would highly recommend Dr. Bellini's books. But one of the things that Dr. Bellini said was that we as Christ-followers cannot be possessed by Satan. We belong to Jesus so we can never totally belong to Satan. But we can become oppressed. We can open the door to the demonic through various means, i.e. porn use, messing with occult-related activities, and when we do so, demons can attach themselves to us. Satan can oppress certain parts of us. We may not even be aware of it. That is when deliverance is necessary. So, was Judas possessed or oppressed? Did he know Jesus? Did he believe? I don't know if we will ever know this side of heaven. Most of the scholars I read said they thought he was totally possessed by Satan at the end. Who knows? I would love your thoughts. Let's move on in our passage. Verses 34 and 35 are really incredible, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It's as if, in two sentences, Jesus has summarized all his teachings to his disciples. And they aren't easy because they center on how we love one another. If we were to take these verses and look at church history, we would wonder if we were looking at the same faith. Christian history has done horrific things in Jesus' name. I think he must weep and mourn at this. Everything Jesus did was about teaching others to love and serve each other. And somehow, this got terribly corrupted. As we keep reading, Peter makes a very bold, ambitious claim that even if everyone else fell away and disappeared, he would not. Jesus doesn't mince words. He tells Peter that he will betray Jesus three times by that night (or as the text says, by the time the rooster crows two times). But Peter, and all the others, insist that they will follow Jesus even until death. I've thought about this a lot. At this time, the disciples still don't understand Jesus' ministry or purpose. They think they will follow him no matter what but we know what happens. They all scatter once Jesus is arrested. Peter does deny him three times in just a few short hours, consumed with fear for his own safety. When push came to shove, they weren't quite as invested in Jesus' mission as they thought. But then things changed. After the resurrection, the disciples were changed in fundamental ways. Peter, who was initially impulsive and fearful, becomes strong and bold, a superb leader in the early church. After experiencing both the risen Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit, their whole outlook on life is transformed. And all of them, except for John, are martyred for the Gospel. They do end up following Jesus to their own earthly death, just not in the timing they expected. I've asked this question before but it's worth repeating - would you follow Jesus to the point of giving up your life? If you were being tortured and persecuted for your faith, would you stay faithful to Jesus or would you give in to the pressure and deny Christ? It is not outside the realm of possibility that such a situation could exist for us. Afterall, it does exist for Christians all over the world. Reflect on this and spend some time in prayer. Blessings, Pastor Vicki

The Secret Power of Taking a Break for Success! Pause And Reflect Now...To Supersize Your Business! Drop in here every day for a dose of different business building perspective: https://facebook.com/supersizebusiness #supersizeyourbusiness #physical #physicalhealth #physicalwellbeing #rest #reflect #pause #funholiday

Be A Better You Annual Challenge Day 304! Pause And Reflect! Do one thing every day to be a better you! Join us every day in 2025 for a quick challenge that is all about you Improving and creating the life you want! https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSharon Ask your questions and share your wisdom! #beabetteryouannualchallenge #physicalhealth #physicalwellbeing #pause #reflect #think #holiday #happyhalloween

What if your documentation could do more than check a box?In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward shares 5 documentation strategies to bring ECE learning to life: practical, heart-centred ways to make documentation meaningful, authentic, and a natural part of your teaching practice.You'll discover how to: ✨ Capture the small, everyday moments that reveal big learning ✨ Empower children to take part in documenting their own stories ✨ Use multiple mediums like photos, voice notes, and displays to make learning visible ✨ Reflect with purpose before you write (and save yourself time!) ✨ Share documentation that builds stronger connections with families and your teamWhether you're an early childhood educator, program lead, or supervisor, this episode will help you move from “doing documentation” to living it. Learn how to make learning visible, deepen reflection, and transform the way you see your practice.

This month marks four years since the very first episode of Reflections Radio. Four years of music, emotions, and countless moments shared through sound. This isn’t just a mix; it’s a reflection of the path we’ve shared together — of nights, ideas, and feelings turned into sound. And to celebrate this milestone, we’ll be bringing Reflect back to Garage 442 (Barcelona) next Friday, November 7th, for a very special anniversary night. Whether you’re at home, driving, or on the dancefloor, let yourself drift and feel every moment of this musical journey. Thank you for being part of this frequency month after month. Your presence and energy keep this alive. - Like every month, for 2 hours the best worldwide sounds of the electronic scene will impact your soul. Compiled and Mixed by Alan Dorve. More info www.alandorve.com Tracklist: 01. Sahar – Jokers 02. Michael Ritter, Felix E – Flicker (Christopher Schwarzwälder Remix) 03. STS, KCPK – Everything Is... (Waltervelt Remix) 04. GHEIST, 8Kays – Flowers & Guns (Original Mix) 05. Modelers – Rhythm Chasers (Phunkadelica Rework) 06. CultureKind – Aura (Original Mix) 07. Far&High & pizzaaftersex – Rabbit Hole (Sasha Carassi Remix) 08. Yoram – Invisible Force 09. ID ID – Oddity (Tomy Wahl Remix) 10. So Good – Hansel (AFFKT Big Kahuna Edit) 11. Carl Bee – OneDerWat 12. SONNIY – Rockin 13. Vladis Cue – Been Like (Rodrigo AM Remix) 14. AYU (UA) – Feel It (Original Mix) 15. Rodg – Wasting (Extended Mix) 16. Allen Hulsey – Come Over Again (Damon Jee Remix) 17. Mariz, Emiliano Demarco – Cyborg (Extended Mix) 18. Nihil Young – Deep Inside 19. Pavel Petrov, Christian Nielsen – Blame 20. Argy, John Cala – BOOM 21. DJ Renat, TuraniQa – Do You Want It (Hiwater Remix Extended) 22. Criss Source – Hugs’n Kisses (Peter Makto Remix) 23. Kalipo – Crimson Rain (Club Version) 24. John Digweed, Marc Romboy, Nick Muir – Sigani Meomchun 25. Matt, George Z – Down Low (Extended Mix) 26. Knorst, Encounter (BR) – Greed (Extended Mix) 27. Shouse – Sunrise (Henri Bergmann Extended Remix) 28. Seizmic (UK) – Gridlock Groove 29. Joris Voorn & Goodboys – Utopia (Korolova Extended Remix) 30. Röyksopp – Do It Again (feat. Robyn) (AFFKT Remix) 31. Who Else, Zagitar – Nothing (Original Mix)

This episode is sponsored by Taste and See Tuscany: A Journey to Redefining Wealth. This once-in-a-lifetime experience blends luxury travel, cultural immersion, and Purpose Chaser community. Expect wine tastings, cooking classes, laughter, sisterhood, and memories that will last forever. Only a few spots remain — visit https://PatriceWashington.com/Tuscany for all the details.   ✨ This Season is Dedicated to Mí Amiga, Rachel Luna In honor of my dear friend Rachel Luna, this season is dedicated to her fearless legacy. Please support her work by grabbing a copy of Permission to Offend and, if you feel led, contributing to her family's GoFundMe.  

Trust isn't automatic. You have to earn it in business, in leadership, and at home. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill tackle three listener questions about trust, boundaries, and values. From finding the right executive assistant to protecting your peace as your success grows, and even raising kids who understand the value of hard work, they share the practical systems and mindset shifts that help leaders thrive both at work and at home. Here's what you'll learn: How to vet, hire, and build trust with an executive assistant who protects your time instead of draining it Why success can make genuine relationships harder to spot, and how to keep your circle strong and authentic The simple lessons and habits that prevent your kids from becoming entitled — even when they grow up with abundance Real growth tests more than your business. It reveals your values and your character. ---- 08:33 – Michael explains the trust equation and why trust must be earned before you hand over critical access. 11:06 – Michael lays out checks and balances for delegating finance, calendar, and email access to an assistant. 13:22 – Michael answers the “winner's circle” question and explains why success makes authentic relationships harder to spot. 15:58 – Michael explains how to protect your time and prioritize what matters when every request feels urgent. 17:45 – Jessica reflects on the inner circle and why relationship quality matters more than quantity. 19:33 – Michael discusses the fear of raising entitled kids and why values, not lifestyle, shape gratitude. 22:16 – Jessica gives the bracelet example and other practical ways to teach kids the value of effort and money. ---- Links & Resources: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz Atomic Habits by James Clear ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 401. From Girl Dad to CEO: The Michael Mogill Playbook 331. Failure to Reflect is Failure to Grow: The Brutal Truth About Staying Stuck 258. The Power of No: Setting Boundaries for Focused Growth

Read OnlineOn a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. Luke 14:1 Jesus accepted an invitation from this prominent Pharisee to dine at his house. The people at the dinner were “observing him carefully.” It's somewhat easy to picture the scene. For most people, being invited to a dinner with many strangers who are observing them carefully may leave them feeling quite uncomfortable and self-conscious. But Jesus showed up with perfect confidence and an unwavering commitment to share the Gospel. One thing we can learn from this dinner and Jesus' disposition at it is that uncomfortable situations are actually great opportunities to share your faith.We will all have times when we are put in an uncomfortable situation. Imagine, for example, being invited to a party for a distant relative or a new neighbor. You decided to attend and knew that you would know very few people there. The tendency for those who are shy would be to show up, find someone they know, and then spend the rest of the time with that person. But consider what Jesus did. He probably knew very few people at this dinner. Jesus' primary purpose in attending was not to just relax and have a fun time while He met new friends. Instead, His primary purpose was to preach His saving message to those in need. Thus, He went to those in need and did so with confidence.Whether you are one who likes to socialize and meet new people, or are one who dreads such settings, consider the simple fact that these settings are wonderful opportunities to share your faith. Like our Lord, if you are willing to put yourself out there, entering situations that are new and unfamiliar, then you may start to discover that the opportunities abound. New settings and new people are new opportunities to evangelize. True, they are also opportunities to make new friends and enjoy yourself. But if you have a heart set on the desire to share the Gospel, then you will regularly look for new opportunities in which you can somehow share your faith with others. Reflect, today, upon this simple Gospel scene of Jesus attending a dinner, with many people He did not know, for the purpose of sharing the faith with them. Imagine yourself joining our Lord at this meal. How would you have felt? Would you have been self-conscious and uncomfortable? Or would you have seen it as an opportunity to share the Gospel? Reflect upon how zealous you are in your efforts to evangelize others and recommit yourself to this holy endeavor. Tell our Lord you are ready and willing to be used by Him wherever He sends you and then try to see every new adventure and experience in life as a new opportunity to share Christ's saving message with others. My saving Lord, You desire that Your saving message be shared far and wide, to the ends of the earth. Please fill me with zeal for souls. Give me an unwavering desire to share the Gospel with everyone I meet. Please use me, dear Lord, in the way You desire, so that Your love and mercy will be brought to those in need. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Pierre Subleyras, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this special episode of The Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss speaks with nationally recognized consumer advocate Clark Howard about current topics shaping the financial and retirement landscape. Their conversation centers on how investors can think more clearly about markets, behavioral finance, and long-term planning in today's changing economy. • Discuss how shifting economic conditions are influencing how Americans view retirement readiness. • Review market valuation trends and how historical context can inform today's conversations around investing. • Compare different investment philosophies that emphasize patience, discipline, and perspective. • Examine how technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, may affect corporate performance and investor sentiment. • Consider the concentration of large-cap companies in market indexes and what that means for diversification discussions. • Recognize the role of behavior and emotion in financial decision-making, especially during market volatility. • Reflect on lessons from past market cycles that highlight the importance of long-term participation and steady perspective. • Address common retirement concerns, such as inflation and uncertainty, through the lens of thoughtful financial planning. • Explore the emergence of private equity options in retirement plans and potential considerations around structure, transparency, and access. • Emphasize the value of continued education and awareness in navigating evolving retirement landscapes. This conversation between Wes Moss and Clark Howard focuses on education, context, and perspective—helping listeners stay informed about financial and retirement trends. Listen and subscribe to The Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing discussions that encourage thoughtful understanding of markets, money, and financial planning concepts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 9, Episode 25 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast dives head-first into one of the most polarizing questions in modern relationships: can men and women really be just friends? Izzy Baker sits down with Jessi Holley, host of Everybody Can't Go Podcast and author of the book that started her brand, for a brutally honest breakdown of friendship, lust, and boundaries in the age of OnlyFans and DM culture.What begins as a playful conversation about “the friend zone” quickly turns into a deeper discussion about lust, maturity, and blurred lines. Jesse opens up about having long-term platonic friendships with men — no flings, no past, no “almost.” Izzy challenges the notion that men and women can keep it that clean, pointing to how lust, trauma, and social conditioning make it hard to separate attraction from friendship.Together, they unpack how sexual trauma and overexposure have rewired how this generation views connection, and why so many people can't see friendship without filtering it through desire. The conversation gets raw as they debate the OnlyFans effect — how posting provocative content or monetizing sexuality affects how men perceive and approach women, and where accountability versus respect really starts.Jessi brings fire and wisdom, explaining why confidence, not chaos, should define friendship. Izzy plays devil's advocate, asking if some women set themselves up for blurred boundaries by ignoring red flags that always looked like Six Flags. The two go back and forth about trust, temptation, and emotional bleed — when friendships get too deep, too fast, and start to feel like mini-relationships.By the end, they're not just talking about male-female friendships — they're dissecting how ego, insecurity, and emotional immaturity keep people from building anything real. If you've ever been accused of “doing too much” with a friend, or questioned whether your “bro” or “sis” might secretly want more — this one will hit home.Listen. Reflect. And decide for yourself — can men and women really just be friends?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.TrustBuilder Package

____________Podcast Redefining Society and Technology Podcast With Marco Ciappellihttps://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com  ____________Host Marco CiappelliCo-Founder & CMO @ITSPmagazine | Master Degree in Political Science - Sociology of Communication l Branding & Marketing Advisor | Journalist | Writer | Podcast Host | #Technology #Cybersecurity #Society

Dennis Karnstein and Brian Carson are top executives at Pittsburgh Paints Co., a leading North American producer of interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives, and sealants. In this conversation with CoatingsPro Magazine, a member magazine of AMPP, Karnstein and Carson address several marketplace trends as 2025 draws to a close. Other discussion topics include strategies to make coatings more user-friendly for applicators; benefits of the group's unique service model; new opportunities as a privately owned company; and more.

Join OANDA Senior Market Analysts & podcast guest Nick Syiek (TraderNick) as they review the latest market news and moves. MarketPulse provides up-to-the-minute analysis on forex, commodities and indices from around the world. MarketPulse is an award-winning news site that delivers round-the-clock commentary on a wide range of asset classes, as well as in-depth insights into the major economic trends and events that impact the markets. The content produced on this site is for general information purposes only and should not be construed to be advice, invitation, inducement, offer, recommendation or solicitation for investment or disinvestment in any financial instrument. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of OANDA or any of its affiliates, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, please access the RSS feed or contact us at info@marketpulse.com. © 2023 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything “right” with your health but still not seeing results, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Jessica Knurick, a PhD in nutrition science and registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience in chronic disease prevention, to uncover why Americans are getting sicker. Spoiler: it's not just about diet or exercise—it's about the systems shaping our lives in ways we don't even realize.  We dive deep into how our food environment, healthcare structure, and political systems were built for profit, not people, and how that reality quietly shapes everything from what ends up in our grocery stores to who can afford preventive care.  We also tackle the viral health debates taking over social media—like the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, raw milk, and claims about Tylenol and autism—using the latest scientific research to separate fact from fiction.  You'll leave feeling empowered to take action not just in your own kitchen, but in your community and at the ballot box. 

Are you loving it? Send Ash a text! Even after I slowed down, healed, lost 40 pounds, and felt like a brand-new human, the old patterns still tiptoed back in. Not the dramatic face-down-on-the-floor kind of burnout, just the sneaky version that makes you pause and say, “Oh, interesting… you again?” It was enough to make me curious.This part-two debrief is me pulling back the curtain on why urgency creeps in even after rest, how cortisol becomes our go-to fuel source, and the small, doable resets that actually change the pattern without blowing up your entire life. Think of it as the gentle, real-life guide to breaking the burnout cycle… and all the tiny daily shifts that we all need.TOPICS & TANGENTS:• When old patterns creep back after rest • Cortisol addiction and why stress starts to feel like energy • How “busy” becomes an identity we get praised for • Childhood wiring: control, chaos, and early responsibility • Relational fawning: regulating everyone but yourself • The urgency we learn young (and why I still watch our mornings) • Tiny resets that help: the 90-second nothing timer, sense grounding, and vagus-nerve hums • Values vs. ideals: hearing your life tell the truth • The Somatic Wealth Framework: Regulate, Reflect, RewirePOINT OF THE STORY:You can't out-sabbatical a nervous system pattern. The shift isn't a life overhaul; it's honest values + tiny, embodied resets repeated today.RELAUNCH GIVEAWAY (10/29 – 10/31): Free Access to The Energy Advantage (Mini - less than 15 minutes!) Training where I reveal the exact framework I used to double my energy, work less frantically, and actually end my days with something left in the tank.Here's how to get instant access:Leave a review for Shamelessly Ambitious on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Screenshot your review.Upload it using this short form.Once you do, you'll get immediate access to the mini-webinar, From constant exhaustion to overflowing energy: the fastest way high-achieving women can reclaim their capacity in 2025.Rooting for you, your way, always

ENMY guitarist Mike Quinn and frontman Brady Reis joined Loudwire Nights to dive into the history of the band — from forming in 2020 to getting their first video game placement.

Read OnlineSomeone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Luke 13:27We should definitely take our Lord's words spoken above to heart. It's easy to presume we will be saved. It's easy to simply presume that God is kind and that we are good people at heart and, therefore, salvation is assured. But that's not what Jesus says.So who will be saved? When we get to Heaven, God willing, we may be surprised at who is saved and who is not. This is clearly one of the messages of today's Gospel. Jesus even goes so far to say that some, when they die, will assume they are going to enter into Heaven but will hear our Lord say to them, “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” Again, we should take these words to heart.One of the most dangerous sins we can fall into is presumption. Presumption is deadly because it has a double effect upon us. First, the person caught in presumption is one who has committed mortal sin but has not repented of it. But the presumptuous person also remains incapable of repentance because they refuse to acknowledge their sin. Their conscience is not working. They have blinders on and expect God to wear those same blinders. But God sees all things and judges accordingly.The “narrow gate” of which Jesus speaks is a simile used by Jesus to tell us that it is not easy to obtain Heaven. It requires a concerted effort on our part as well as the infinite mercy of God. But regarding our part, the attainment of Heaven is only possible if we intentionally seek out the will of God and respond generously to Him. First, that means we confess and turn away from our sins. But from there, it means that we make every effort to fulfill God's will in our lives.If this is hard to accept, simply remind yourself that this teaching came directly from Jesus Himself. He is absolutely clear and means what He says. If that fills you with a sort of holy fear, then that is a good thing. “Holy fear” is a gift by which we have a well-ordered conscience that is able to identify those things in our lives that have become immovable obstacles to eternal salvation. The same well-ordered conscience will lead us to that narrow gate which is the only path to eternal life.Reflect, today, upon the fact that we must all take eternal salvation seriously. If you find that you have become lax in your spiritual life, then use this Gospel as a motivation to change. Do not allow yourself to be one of those knocking at the gates of Heaven, only to realize that our Lord does not know you. Do all you can to eradicate the sin of presumption from your life, and your reward will be truly great in Heaven.My most merciful Lord, You and You alone can open the gates of Heaven to us, and You and You alone will do so only to those who have responded to Your holy will. Please open my eyes to any ways that I turn from You and remain lax in my spiritual journey. Give me the grace I need to see clearly and to respond to You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

This month, I'm slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today's episode, I'm talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and events. But if we're not careful, we can move so fast that we stop seeing the beauty of what we've built. The Autumn Audit is a moment to pause and look at your school — or even just the dream of your school — through new eyes. Whether you're already open and serving families or you're just beginning to build, this reflection process helps you realign your space, your systems, and your spirit with the vision God first placed in your heart. ✨ In This Episode, I'm Sharing: Why reflection is the most important — and often most neglected — leadership skill for microschool founders. The real reason burnout happens (and how to course-correct before January). The simple questions I'm asking myself during my own Autumn Audit at Lighthouse Learning. How to see your microschool through the eyes of your parents, staff, and students — and use that feedback to grow. What's included inside this month's Microschool Masterminds experience, including:   My Autumn Audit Workbook A Kid-Friendly School Audit Checklist (students love this one!) The Staff & Community Reflection Guide And the Parent Post-Tour Follow-Up Template to turn curiosity into connection.

If you've ever promised yourself you'd "just have one" piece of Halloween candy—only to find yourself knee-deep in wrappers an hour later—this episode is for you. In today's conversation, Steph and I are diving into why Halloween candy (and all "off-limits" foods) can feel so irresistible for chronic dieters—and what you can actually do to change that. Spoiler: it's not about sugar addiction, it's about the scarcity mindset diet culture trained into your brain. You'll learn how to: Break the all-or-nothing cycle that turns one bite into a binge Neutralize your relationship with "forbidden" foods so they lose their power Eat candy (or any food) with confidence, not guilt Practice self-trust instead of relying on willpower Reflect instead of spiral when you overeat If you're tired of feeling out of control around sweets and want a calm, drama-free relationship with food—not just on Halloween, but year-round—this episode will show you exactly how to get there.

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!1 BIG IDEAPlaying small doesn't protect your leadership—it dilutes it. In a world that rewards caution and conformity, it takes courage to lead with authenticity. This episode unpacks why we shrink, how it costs us—and what it looks like to show up whole, steady, and courageous.3 WAYS TO APPLY THISRecognize where fear is holding you back—visibility, relationships, or even your pricing.Reflect on the source of that fear. Is it an Assumption, Belief, or Conditioning (your ABCs)?Respond with one bold action that honors your Core Values, even if it feels “too big.”3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELFWhere have I been shrinking back out of fear of being “too much”?Which of my ABCs are feeding that fear? (See Episode 235 for more on your ABCs.)Who benefits if I stop playing small—and who misses out if I don't?GO DEEPERCore Values Blueprint (Free Download): https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/values Start anchoring your decisions in clarity and confidence.Uncover Your Core Values Course: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/values Discover and define the values that ground your leadership.Core Values Coaching Program: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/values Work with Andrea to build steady, values-based confidence.Missed Live2Lead? You can still experience it online through LeaderPass ($79). Watch the keynotes and leadership lessons anytime through February 2026: https://leaderpass.com/pass/live2lead/host/?ref=RHYBTBBYPROUD PARTNERS OF STAND TALL & OWN IT

What happens when a couple survives a major crisis, only to be thrown back into their negative cycle by a simple text message? This week, after Bethany recounts a traumatic car accident and Brian's initial, supportive response, a seemingly small conflict about a baby monitor spirals into a "knock-down, drag-out" fight. We dive deep into the difficult work of co-regulation when both partners are hurting. We explore the raw hurt behind Brian's sarcasm—his pain of feeling controlled, questioned as a parent, and like a "second-class citizen." We also uncover why Bethany's instinct to explain and rationalize, a lifelong strategy to manage overwhelming emotions, lands as a dismissal and keeps them stuck. This extended session highlights the essential, messy process of learning to attend to one partner's pain at a time, even when you're drowning in your own. Can you put your hurt aside, just for a moment, to truly see the person across from you? It's hard, but necessary work if healing is the goal. This week's prompt: Reflect on your last conflict. When you felt hurt, what was your go-to protective move (sarcasm, explaining, silence)? What feeling were you trying to communicate underneath that defense? Send your responses to this prompt or any questions/comments you have about the podcast via email or voice note to support@thesecurerelationship.com. Your submission might be featured on a future episode.

 Ever had a recruiting conversation stall, not because of your offer, but because the recruit says, "I don't know"? In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down the exact framework I use to move people from fog to clarity. You'll learn how to coach through indecision, lead with belief, and help recruits see a future they can say yes to. Because the best recruiters aren't just closers. They're clarity coaches. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The most common stall in recruiting isn't about money. It's about uncertainty [01:00] Why Recruits Say "I Don't Know" – Most are tired, reactive, and surviving in someone else's system [02:00] Mindset Shift – Their lack of clarity isn't a red flag. It's an opportunity to coach [02:30] Framework Step 1: Values-Based Questions What kind of leadership brings out your best? What kind of culture do you want? What would make this next chapter meaningful? [03:30] Framework Step 2: Explore Frustrations What's not working? Where are you stuck? What are you tolerating? [04:00] Framework Step 3: Cast Personal Vision What would success feel like a year from now? What do you want more of, and less of? What kind of team would energize you? [04:30] Framework Step 4: Reflect Back Their Answers "You value freedom. You want a leader who sees you. You're ready to grow, but only if it aligns with your life." This creates connection and belief [05:00] Framework Step 5: Build a Decision-Making Framework What matters most in this decision? What fears are coming up? What would give you peace about moving forward? [06:00] Framework Step 6: Create Forward Momentum – "Take this week to reflect. Let's meet next Wednesday. I'll walk you through what life on our team looks like." [07:00] The Power of Slowing Down – Most recruiters talk at people. Elite leaders guide them to clarity [07:30] Real Story Example – One coaching client helped a stuck LO find clarity through one simple question: "If nothing changes this year, how will that feel?" The LO said, "I'd regret it." That changed everything [08:00] Final Challenge – Pick one stalled recruit this week. Slow down. Ask better questions. Reflect back what you hear. Help them believe change is possible Key Takeaways Clarity Creates Certainty – Most people aren't unsure because of the opportunity. They're unsure because they've never been coached through the fog Stop Pitching. Start Reflecting – Recruits don't want features. They want alignment Your Questions Matter More Than Your Pitch – The right conversation can unlock belief faster than any presentation Slowing Down Builds Trust – When you become the first person to truly listen, you become the leader they trust The Best Recruiters Are Coaches First – Your job isn't just to close the aligned. It's to help people find their alignment Want to coach through clarity at scale? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com, or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let's help you build trust before you ever talk about the job.

Cynthia Frelund from NFL Network joined the mid-day show giving some numbers insight to the Cleveland Browns and all around the NFL.

Elevated Man Podcast with Apollonia Ponti Dating With Intention: What It Really Means To Be a High-Value Man! In this episode of The Elevated Man Podcast, Apollonia Ponti breaks down what it truly means to date with intention and how to embody the mindset of a high-value man. Most men say they want a great relationship — but few actually date with clarity, standards, and purpose. Instead, they fall into patterns of chasing validation, confusing lust for connection, or settling for women who don't match their values. Apollonia reveals how to shift from passive, reactive dating into intentional attraction — where you choose from power, not neediness. You'll learn what defines a high-value man in today's dating world, and how to lead with self-respect, purpose, and emotional control. Whether you're single, newly dating, or rebuilding after a breakup, this episode will help you understand the difference between men who chase women… and men who attract the right woman. Key points in this episode! 0:31 - The episode begins with an overview of today's discussion on dating with purpose and self-awareness. 1:01 - Discover how dating with clear intentions can help you attract the woman who truly aligns with your values. 2:14 - Apollonia explains the difference between seeking validation and choosing alignment in your relationships. 3:09 - Learn how to join Apollonia's coaching and discovery program to transform your dating journey. 4:10 - Reflect on what truly defines a match for you—beyond surface-level attraction. 5:03 - Apollonia discusses the importance of understanding what you want in life and how this self-awareness applies to dating. 6:23 - Explore why women are drawn to men who embody both confidence and consistency. 7:08 - Ready to elevate your dating life? Book a discovery call with Apollonia to start your personal growth journey. 7:53 - Understand the key distinction between dating with genuine intention and approaching relationships from a place of neediness. 8:22 - Apollonia breaks down why confident men don't live in tension and how that mindset changes everything. 10:17 - Discover what truly happens when you start dating with clarity, purpose, and self-assurance. What You'll Learn: What it actually means to date with intention (and why most men don't). How to identify your values and standards before dating. The real definition of a high-value man (it's not money or looks). The difference between masculine confidence and neediness. How to attract women who align with your vision and purpose. Listen if you're ready to: Stop chasing validation and start choosing alignment Develop true masculine confidence and self-awareness Set clear standards that attract high-quality women Build relationships from purpose, not fear Resources & Coaching: If this episode inspired you to level up your dating life and step into your power, apply for 1:1 coaching: https://www.apolloniaponti.com/ Or DM Apollonia "Coach" on Instagram to connect directly: @apollonia_ponti Applying for a coaching or consultation call with Apollonia Ponti apply--> here! "I love Apollonia; her tips have helped me with my dating!" , scroll to the bottom to Rating & Reviews, and click on Write a Review. Listen and Subscribe to the Write Your Legend Podcast with Apollonia Ponti on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.

Read OnlineBut the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?” Luke 13:14–15Why would the leader of the synagogue be “indignant” that Jesus cured a woman on the sabbath? She was crippled for eighteen years! Imagine, especially, her family. They would have seen her many years of suffering and shared them with her through years of compassion. If they were present when Jesus healed her on the sabbath, would they have immediately thought, “How dare Jesus do this healing of our mother, wife or sister on the sabbath?” Of course not! They would have rejoiced and been filled with awe, gratitude, and even tears. This normal reaction that her family would have had upon witnessing this miracle is the right response. And, of course, the reaction of the leader of the synagogue was deeply disordered. Why would this leader of the synagogue do such a thing? Though he and many other scribes, Sadducess, Pharisees and scholars of the law struggled with envy and hypocrisy, others may sometimes react similarly to this leader of the synagogue for other reasons. One such reason is scrupulosity.Scrupulosity is the tendency to see God and His holy will through the lens of legalism. “Legalism” is not just being faithful to the Law of God, because that is a good thing. Legalism is a misinterpretation of God's Law by which one tends to put more emphasis upon themselves than upon God. A scrupulous person is preoccupied with themself. They tend to be far more concerned with sin than with God Himself. And though it's vital to be concerned with sin, when fear of sinning becomes a form of obsession, then that obsession has the effect of clouding the pure will of God and leaves a person heavily burdened and unable to joyfully live out the authentic will of God.Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was one saint who openly shared her struggles with scrupulosity in her autobiography. Of this struggle, which she referred to as “oversensitivity,” she said, “One would have to pass through this martyrdom to understand it well, and for me to express what I experienced for a year and a half would be impossible.” However, she eventually experienced what she called a “complete conversion” by which the heavy burden of oversensitivity was lifted. Though this oversensitivity oppressed her in various ways, one way it affected her was that she feared that even some of her random thoughts were mortal sins and that she would be condemned for them.Though the leader of the synagogue was most likely not struggling with “oversensitivity” in the same way as Saint Thérèse, he was acting with an extreme scrupulosity which led him to be harshly judgmental and condemning of our Lord for His good deed done to this crippled woman.Reflect, today, upon any tendency you may have with these heavy burdens. Do you worry in an irrational way about sin? Do you ever find yourself obsessing over decisions, worrying that you may make the wrong one? Do you think about yourself far more than you think about God and others? If so, you may also be carrying a similar heavy burden that our Lord wants to lift. Serving God and His holy will must become the deepest joy of our lives, not a heavy burden. If you find your Christian walk more of a burden, then turn your eyes away from yourself and look to the merciful God. Run to Him with the utmost confidence of a child, as Saint Thérèse eventually did, and allow yourself to love Him more authentically, freed of scrupulous and self-imposed burdens. My merciful Lord, You desire to free me from all that burdens me. You desire that I turn to You with the confidence of a child. Please do free me, dear Lord, from any way that I impose burdens upon myself by my obsessions and irrational worries. May I always understand Your infinite love for me and always walk freely and joyfully in Your ways. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Museo Nacional de Arte, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Read Online“Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector.'” Luke 18:10–11What a sad prayer. Of course it wasn't even a prayer to God since the Pharisee “spoke this prayer to himself.” The prayer of the tax collector, however, was a perfect model for all prayer. We read that the tax collector “stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'” Which prayer more resembles your own prayer?To honestly answer that question, let's examine both prayers. First of all, the contrast of these two prayers is a contrast between humility and pride. The Pharisee was clearly full of pride. Pride blinds us from true self-knowledge. Saint Teresa of Ávila teaches us that the very first thing we must do on our journey to God is obtain self-knowledge through humility. Without that, we will never grow in holiness.The sin of pride is obvious in the prayer of the Pharisee and, therefore, his lack of true self-knowledge is also evident. Note that even his physical posture of standing depicts pride. Throughout the Scriptures, kneeling, or even falling prostrate, is the disposition of the humble. In addition to standing, the Pharisee's prayer was a list of his own goodness. He very well may have fasted twice a week and paid tithes on his whole income. But his prayer suggests that he did this by his own effort. He did not ascribe those acts to the grace and strength of God, which means they were not true acts of charity. His prayer suggests that he doesn't need God in order to do good. This is also seen in the fact that he asks nothing of God. Instead, he simply thanks God for how good he is through his own effort. The result is that God gives him nothing, since he asked for nothing.True prayer must begin with the humble recognition of our weakness and need for God. The tax collector expressed this humility by bowing his head to the ground, not even daring to look up to Heaven. This reveals he did not consider himself worthy of God's grace. Truth be told, he wasn't worthy of it. That's why God's grace is a mercy. It is all mercy in that He bestows that which we are not worthy to receive. And He only bestows it on those who know they are not worthy of it. The words spoken by the tax collector are the perfect model of prayer because his words depict these truths. As a sinner, he doesn't deserve mercy but begs for God's grace as an act of God's mercy.When you pray, how do you pray? What is the disposition of your heart and for what do you pray? Begin by considering the physical position in which you pray. Though we can pray standing, sitting, kneeling or even lying down, there is something very good about kneeling or even lying prostrate. It doesn't mean we have to do so the entire time we pray, but it is a good practice to kneel, bow your head or fall down prostrate before God at least for a moment each day. Do you do this? If not, consider making this a daily habit. When you pray, do you begin your prayer with humility? We begin the Mass by examining our conscience and confessing our sins. This is a good example of how to begin your prayer every time you pray. Humble yourself by calling to mind your sins and weaknesses. Confess them to God and acknowledge the fact that, because of your sins, you are unworthy of God's mercy. Humility like this will help you to see yourself as God sees you, and this will help you open yourself to the grace you need from God to grow in holiness.Reflect, today, upon the humility found in the prayer of this tax collector. As you do, look at your own practice of prayer and discern whether you imitate this tax collector's disposition and prayer. Try to commit to physically humbling yourself before our Lord every day. Kneel, bow your head, or fall down prostrate every day. When you do pray, beg for mercy as one who doesn't deserve anything from God. This is the humble truth on which all prayer must be based. The more you can humble yourself this way, the more God will lift you up and pour forth His mercy upon you. O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. I bow before You, most glorious and merciful God. I offer You my praise and gratitude for Your abundant mercy in my life. I am not worthy of You and Your grace, but You bestow it anyway. For that I thank You with profound gratitude and beg for the ongoing gift of Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe Stock: Featured, MainSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.