Deep Breath

We asked, you answered, and we responded. We set up a poll last month asking, "What will anchor your soul in the humdrum winter months ahead: Routine or Trying Something New?" This episode is our rejoinder with thoughts and methods of routine AND trying something new to create a sense of connection to God, self, and others. For more, listen to Episode 38 "Rhythm of Winter"

Allow Lexie to guide you in a meditation to welcome Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a 40 day pilgrimage and preparation of the soul leading to Easter Sunday. All spiritual practices are for the purpose of entering more deeply in to God's love, presence and dependence on His grace. So if you find yourself burdened with the idea of Lent, giving up things, or deliberating over your sins, con...

Maybe you've noticed 2 names for us: Deep Breath and Breathe & Be? Well, in this episode we reveal what's going on; the distinction and the connection. It's really neat, listen in! breatheandbe.net/podcast

We here at Deep Breath get really excited about spiritual practices. If you've listened to just about any podcast episode, we will inevitably bring up a practice and encourage "trying it on". But what if there's fear? What if there is a sense of resistance? In this episode we address what's going on and why we repel silence, solitude, and stillness. And we rally to take heart; these disciplines ar...

Embracing the chilly, gray, and dark days of winter can be a challenge to the spirit. What if we tried asking "what's the invitation?" Let's get curious and creative about how we can traverse the winter blues.  Referenced episode on Spiritual Direction 25 and Self Care 17 & 18 .  Book referenced: Spiritual Rhythm - March Buchanan

Season 2 is here! And we want to acknowledge that current events may be adding all kinds of unrest within the soul, and even in the body. How can we get (& stay) rooted and grounded when there's turmoil, inside and outside of us? Could awareness and acknowledgement be the first step? Let's try it on together! And speaking of trying on, to register for Try it On Workshop:  www.breatheandbe.net/stor...

It's finally time for Season Two of Deep Breath Podcast! Our first episode of Season Two will drop on January 20th and we share just a few of our podcast goals for 2021. We've missed you and can't wait to build and expand this community.  Find us also @ deepbreath54321 on Instagram

We miss you, friends! But you can stay connected with us on Instagram @deepbreath54321 and on Facebook at "Deep Breath". Shop for your Advent meditations: The Arrival and your Honeycomb Journals on breatheandbe.net/store MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY 2021! 

This is our last episode for season one of our podcast! Celebrate with us as we reflect on why we started, what we were hoping to accomplish, and if we feel like we reached those goals, desires, and hopes. Special thanks to all of you faithful listeners! Cheers! We'll return in January, but until then you can "be with us" by ordering our 4 Advent Meditations: The Arrival breatheandbe.net/store

Do you struggle with staying still long enough to pray or coming up with the right words? If so,  you'll want to "try on" this practice, Praying in Color. Reducing prayer to only conversation makes it simply a mental activity, but God is inviting us to engage our entire being in communion with Him. Praying in Color is just one way to do that. Praying in Color can include intercession or prayers fo...

Books can have deep impact on our lives. The right book at the right time has potential to be a catalyst for change and growth. We share some (there's just so many!) of our favorites from over the years; we talk about the books we remember reading from 2020, and share what is on our nightstand to read next. Pre-order your Advent meditation series, The Arrival:  https://breatheandbe.net/store Just...

As we head towards our ninth month in a pandemic, we ask ourselves, what will keep us grounded and produce joy? This could be small permissions we give ourselves, but when a few small things are practiced, they add up to big joy and keep us tethered. Listen in and perhaps you'll spark your own idea for what might bring stability and comfort in a time of instability, uncertainty and upheaval.  Refe...

Quarterly retreat is on our "to do's" list. Whether that means in a group, or alone, in silence, or virtually online; Michelle and Lexie value the discipline of retreat from the daily battle. Included in this episode is an interview with retreat attendees! Retreat requires surrender and trust. Perhaps we don't have to be everywhere at all times and hold the world together? What does it look like t...

Celebration is actually a spiritual practice! Who knew? One way to enter into the divine life of the Trinity is through celebration. It is not dependent on perfect circumstances or happy feelings. Does it even seem possible to practice celebration in the middle of Covid "season"? Lexie and Michelle break down what Celebration is, why we need it and how to get creative in the practice of celebratio...

Many in our circles are feeling low energy and hitting a wall in month #7 of Covid. The word "play" doesn't even seem applicable with so many serious things going on in the world. And what practical use is there for creativity in these times? From a beginner stance, Lexie and Michelle are learning to embrace play and creativity and all the benefits they bring.   More questions covered in this epis...

Lexie and Michelle bring you along as they process out loud their struggles around a scarcity mentality when it comes to time. There is never enough time! Is time a friend or an enemy?  Books referenced: Crazy Busy - Kevin DeYoung (pg. 57-58) Sacred Rhythms - Ruth Haley Barton (pg 144-145)

Feeling stagnant in your pursuit of God or wandering aimlessly? We invite you to "try on" a spiritual practice. Spiritual disciplines (or practices) are central to the Deep Breath podcast, so we dedicate this episode to defining what a discipline is and sharing more about the transformative power of these practices.  Simply said, spiritual disciplines are really just a way of posturing ourselves t...

Lexie and Michelle walk you through the spiritual practice called the Examen.  This short and simple practice has been used by Christians for centuries as a way to notice where God shows up in our daily life. It is a practice that attends to what we might otherwise miss in the press of duties and busyness.  For a list of the questions, please go to our Instagram page, DeepBreath54321.   There are...

What if, instead of revamping and adding to your fall schedule, you choose the act of release?  Our conversation invites you to look at places that feel depleting and not life-giving.  Letting go of just one thing may open the door for a lighter and freer rhythm for fall during Covid season.   For more details on creating a rhythm for your life, see Episode #3 Quarantine and a new rhythm of life.

If you're longing to be more attentive to God and His movements within your heart, spiritual direction is worth exploring. We define what spiritual direction is technically, but also give our personal experience with this sacred practice.  How does group spiritual direction differ from individual spiritual direction? What is the difference between spiritual direction and counseling?  All these que...

We treasure our deep and inspiring conversations with our friend, Kiyomi. So we thought, why not bring all of our podcast friends in on just one of these conversations.  (And we try on our first ever podcast interview!)  Kiyomi quotes from Simone Weil:  Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity. I Corinthians 13:4-7 The Passion Translation And Lexie quoted Brene Brown: D...

What would you consider "success" for this year for your kids (and for you?)? As we head into this very unique school year, we talk about approaching it as a beginner. Because we all are beginners in this pandemic anyway! So, how could adjusting expectations, being kind to yourself, and remembering that God cares about you. What practices can help you in this stressful start to the school year? Li...

Lexie brings a little story, a couple questions, and a short meditation this week. There are times and season when we ask "how much longer?" (like a global pandemic for example!) How can we follow a path that we don't know and *be with* the journey? Next week Michelle & Lexie will be podcasting together again! Stay tuned for some new stuff!!

Today, enjoy this mini retreat for your soul from Song of Songs 2:10-15 in the Passion Translation. Grab some paper and flesh out the questions presented, but do it playfully. No need to "work" too hard, but rather rest and see what emerges as you soak in His presence and His words spoken like poetry over you. We have unusual schedules the next two weeks, so we thought it would be lovely to offer...

Centering Prayer incorporates silence, stillness, and solitude. These three things can be hard to find and hard to create... or even hard to choose! It's a challenge to silence the mind and simply be, even for a brief interval of the day. But of course we're going to encourage you to try it on. This practice welcomes the awareness of God's presence, helping us to rest in the fact that the loving G...