Wholehearted Living
Healing and Wholeness in Heart and Soul
Reflection By Scott Stoner
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.
- Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Brené Brown is a best-selling author who has talked openly about her faith, including in a sermon that she preached at the Washington National Cathedral several years ago. As we focus on emotional and spiritual wholeness, her 10 Guideposts for Wholehearted Living are instructive. She frames these suggestions as 10 Things to Let Go Of, and 10 Things to Cultivate.
10 Things to Let Go Of: what people think, perfectionism, numbing and powerlessness, scarcity and fear of the dark, need for certainty, comparison, exhaustion as a status symbol, productivity as self-worth, anxiety as a lifestyle, self-doubt, and appearing cool and “always in control.”
10 Things to Cultivate: authenticity, self-compassion, a resilient spirit, gratitude and joy, intuition and trusting faith, creativity, rest and play, calm and stillness, meaningful work/service, laughter, song, and dance.
Brown’s thoughts align with the wisdom from Brother David’s reflection on surprise, wonder, and gratitude. They also align with wisdom from Scripture: “When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13); and “I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You” (Psalm 138:1).
Making It Personal: Reread the list of 10 Things to Let Go Of and 10 Things to Cultivate. Choose one from each list to focus on today and in the week ahead.