{What is whole person work, Amy? I’m on a quest for balance in life and ordered affections centered in Colossians 3:2. I’d like to share here occasionally for accountability and community. I share here not only to keep myself accountable, but also that it might encourage you, a moment where we join each other in this journey called life. I separated out some of my personal areas of focus, but I’m aware that all these areas flow together and are in relationship with one another. I’m also aware that there are ebbs and flows to life, but for myself, I need things that are purposeful rhythms and practices. There are some life things that can be “by-the-way”, but a balance of rest and rhythm practices work best for me. You are welcome to join me in any way and with your own areas of focus! ♥️🌿♥️}
I’ve been thinking about my past and what I’d love for the future. I had gotten off track in some health and personal rhythms that help me feel strong and able to serve well. ♥️ I was inspired by Half of Carla’s video to really examine where I’m at, not only with my health, but deep in my heart as well. I love her idea of finding the perfect pot of simmering soup that works for us personally. She’s talking specifically in the video about her weight loss maintenance journey , but it got my wheels turning about all of life areas. What’s simmering in YOUR pot, Amy? Honestly, I didn’t like what I saw. For me, it was reverting to unhealthy eating patterns, too much social media, not enough margin in my schedule, and allowing things here at home to stack up. I was finding myself without enough time to spend on the things I love: deep time with Jesus, on relationships, in nature, nourishing my health, and reading good books. It’s a nice idea that we can do everything in a day, but it’s false. We have to be purposefully pursuing what God has for each of us individually.
My Areas of Focus:
Spiritual 🌿🖤~ My Christian faith is extremely important to me. I practice at it by reading The Holy Bible daily, meditating , praying, and journaling over what I’m reading and hearing. I really want to guard this morning time by not letting YouTube creep into it and by getting to bed early enough the night before so I can get up earlier.
Physical 🌿🖤~ I made some drastic changes to my heath right at the end of 2019 and ended up feeling SO much healthier through the support of some wonderful ladies and a program called Bright Line Eating. Since 2022, I’ve struggled with maintaining that and have played around a lot resulting in steps backward. I’ve been working on treating my sleep issues and eczema naturally, also. So, I’ve a plan made for August to get back slowly and reasonably to health. I’m realizing that I work better in very specific boundaries and accountability.
Mental 🌿🖤~ When practices that I know are beneficial go by the wayside or need reordering, sometimes the mental chatter about my “worth” really ramps up. As a Christian, I believe a lot of this is a spiritual battle, but over the years, I’m beginning to be able identify lies vs. gentle truth about myself. One of the things, I feel like that I haven’t done well during the last few years is getting to the roots of why behind some of my destructive behaviors, especially surrounding food. I’m starting to find the anchors that aid me in this journey ~ slow prayer/Bible, journaling, writing, and being in nature. Having a little margin in my life to process everything is extremely important and helpful, too. I’m learning to face what’s bothering me instead of stuffing it down with excessive food or media consumption. I also need to be learning and growing, not stagnating in social media.
Emotional 🌿🖤~ Knowing that my spiritual, physical, and mental health really effect my emotional place is crucial to my whole person work. All things are in relationship and unbalanced living really takes a toll.
Servanthood 🌿🖤~ The giving of myself by listening, serving, and caring for others is hard for me. It’s not natural. I can become a bit TOO “navel-gaze-y” 😆😉 which this post could be in danger of. 😏🤓🤔 However, we have to aim somewhere or we hit nothing. I feel like I’ve been given SO much that I want to grow in giving back to others out of sheer gratitude. That’s why I use the word ‘practice’ a lot. I’m just practicing the things I want to become. Yes, I’ll never be complete, but prayerfully, I’ll move forward a little bit each day with God’s help.
All this to say, I plan on checking in each week here on my ‘whole person’ project. Just for transparency and accountability. I hope you are encouraged and find hope with me! 🌿🌲♥️🖤📚💌🥰☕️🍓🖋️📓☺️🥰 God’s richest blessings! 🖤🌿🌲🖤🌿☕️
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 
I can highly relate to all of these things! I would also love to find my perfect pot of simmering soup.
It’s funny because I woke up anxious just this morning and in need of finding out what my priorities truly are. I actually scrolled through your blog afterwards and it was one of the major things that brought me peace (that and humbling prayer 😅 but God used you). You have always encouraged me in my path of motherhood. And how to live a gentle, deep life. Thank you for sharing with us all!
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Dear Joellen, you are SO encouraging. I’m so glad you found a little calm here amid the waves of life. ♥️☺️
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Dear Amy,
Your words and thoughts always encourage and calm me. I can truly relate to these thoughts. I am just starting a bit of a journey myself. After years of neglecting myself as a valued whole person, I am trying to find a balance where I can take care of my family without letting my heart and mind fall by the wayside. (Does that even make sense? Haha) I’m also trying to take better care of my health and am finding it very challenging and isolating. I have been struggling to fit in time with the Lord everyday – and I can feel it in my innermost being. This lacking. This thirst for time with Jesus -and if I desire it, why is it so hard? I find myself praying that God will give me a hunger for HIM over other things, so it will be easier to find a balance that will give me some peace. I feel like I’m rambling, but I wanted you to know I am here for this journey as well. I hope we can walk it together and support each other.
Your Friend,
Becky
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Hi Becky! I’m so glad you shared. It’s so good to know we aren’t alone. You totally made sense and I identify what you said when you feel like parts of you are lacking. YES. I think the key thing to remind ourselves is that we can do this one step at a time, it’s a lifelong journey. If I try to do too much at once, I stress myself out. 😂♥️Thank you so much for your thoughts and kindness.
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Thank you. And yes, one thing at a time is best – little habits over time are much more sustainable. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and reading lots of wonderful books!
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Dear Amy, I can feel for you and your quest for better health. This is what I’ve been struggling with too: “I’m learning to face what’s bothering me instead of stuffing it down with excessive food or media consumption.” I hope you can give yourself a break and not judge yourself for not working hard enough. We do need to be diligent and faithful, but we can paradoxically block the love of God that wants to work for our nourishment and healing, by trying too hard. Then what we see as failures make us even more self-critical. Facing what’s bothering you can be really difficult; remember that those defenses went into place for a reason. Be gentle to yourself and make sure you are supported as you go through the hard work of changing longtime habits. I am rooting for you!
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Thank you, Lory! I’m thinking an what you said here and yes, I do need to be careful to stay positive. I appreciate your perspective! I’m so glad you are on this journey with me. ♥️
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“I’m starting to find the anchors that aid me in this journey ~ slow prayer/Bible, journaling, writing, and being in nature.” Sounds like an earnest pilgrimage—May you enjoy deeper communion with our Lord as you go. 🙏
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Godspeed my dear one. Do you know that for the last week or so, I felt led to pray for you? love Michele
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Oh, Michele. That made me tear up! Thank you truly! ♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏
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Oh Amy! There is so much here. I wonder if God uses mid-life changes to make us look deeper and question what we are doing and why we are doing it? I have been convicted of the absolute necessity of weighing my choices by eternity. Are my choices worth it? While there are things I really appreciate about social media, I too have stepped way back, and have been much happier for doing so. I read Cal Newport’s book, Digital Minimalism when I felt absolutely stuck, and it was a catalyst to make the changes I needed to make. I am also working through my relationship with food. When we are just in Ghana, food isn’t too hard, because there are so many natural limitations, but when we are in the states, I really struggle. Then, when we return to Ghana, I have to work through all the bad habits again. I am praying that I can learn to see food in its right and proper place. As you said, specific boundaries are so important. Thanks for being willing to share about your growth. It encourages all of us!
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Hi Patty, this is so encouraging. Just knowing that we aren’t alone is so helpful. I, too, enjoyed Digital Minimalism! Maybe I should revisit it. ♥️Thank you for sharing your unique perspective, I hadn’t even thought about how different the pressure would be from one culture to another.
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