This bonus podcast covers a blessing for Election Day written by Kate Bowler. It is a prayer seeking divine guidance, peace, and mercy during the election process. The prayer acknowledges the anxiety and potential dangers surrounding the election, and asks for God's protection of truth, justice, and goodness. It calls for honesty, decency, and integrity in the electoral process, and for leaders who will work for the common good. The blessing emphasizes the importance of respect, patience, and the possibility of compromise. It concludes with a message of hope and a call to find joy even in challenging times.

Highlights

Introduction and Initial Prayer

Kathy introduces the blessing for Election Day by Kate Bowler. An unknown speaker then begins the prayer, asking for God's mercy and protection amidst anxiety and potential danger. The speaker quotes Psalm 65:7, highlighting God's power to calm turmoil.

Prayer for the Election Process

The prayer continues, asking for blessings on the land and the election process. It calls for honesty, decency, and integrity in all aspects of the election. The speaker emphasizes the need for respectful listening and the possibility of compromise.

Prayer for Leadership and Unity

The blessing asks for leaders who will work for the common good, seek reconciliation, and unite the country. It emphasizes the need to protect vulnerable and fearful individuals.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The prayer concludes with a call to trust in God's guidance and strength. It encourages listeners to pray and then find someone to laugh with, emphasizing that there is still time. The blessing ends with a quote from Romans 15:13, focusing on hope, joy, and peace through faith.

Kathy

Blessing for Election Day, by Kate Bowler:

Oh God, we are anxious as we stand at the edge of so much opportunity, so much danger. God, calm our fears, protect us, and all that is true and just and good. God, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Spirit, have mercy. God, you still the roaring of the seas, the pounding of the waves, and the tumult of the nations. Psalm 65:7. God, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Spirit, have mercy. Blessed are we to turn to you and pray.

Oh God, bless our lands, and through this whole election inspire honesty in every intention, decency in every action, integrity in every decision, and the healing of every division. Grant us grace to respect others and listen patiently in a way that restores the possibility of change and creative compromise.

Blessed are we who ask that you establish stability and peace through leaders who will work for the good of us all, who will seek reconciliation and unite our country in a way forward together to shelter those who are vulnerable, hurting, and afraid.

Blessed are we who trust You to stand by us, strengthen us, and guide us by the light of your wisdom and love. God have mercy, Christ have mercy, Spirit have mercy. Pray once, then find someone to laugh with you.

There is time. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that with the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13. Amen.

This podcast episode of 'Coping' discusses election anxiety and anticipatory coping strategies. Hosts Kevin and Kathy explore four types of anticipatory coping: problem analysis, plan rehearsal, stagnant deliberation, and outcome fantasy. They discuss their personal experiences with political engagement and share insights on managing election-related stress. The episode is timed to coincide with an upcoming general election. The hosts reference a research study on combating election stress and its impact on daily physical health. They emphasize the importance of engagement, planning, and avoiding negative coping mechanisms. The episode concludes with a blessing for Election Day by Kate Bowler.

Highlights

Introduction to Election Anxiety

Kevin and Kathy introduce the episode, explaining its early release due to an upcoming general election on Tuesday. Kathy notes the high tension surrounding the election, regardless of political affiliation. Kevin mentions that election anxiety is a real phenomenon.

Anticipatory Coping Strategies

The hosts introduce the concept of four types of anticipatory coping strategies for managing election-related stress. Kathy asks Kevin about his family's approach to discussing world events, to which Kevin responds that his family didn't engage much in political discussions. In contrast, Kathy shares that her family, with her father being a political science professor, was highly engaged in political discussions nightly.

Research Study on Election Stress

Kevin introduces a research article titled 'Combating Election Stress, Anticipatory Coping, and Daily Self-Reported Physical Health' by Brittany Johnson and Siobhan Newpert. Kathy explains that the study, conducted during the 2018 midterm elections with 140 respondents, aimed to measure the effect of anticipatory coping strategies on anxiety levels.

Problem Analysis as a Coping Strategy

Kevin explains the first anticipatory coping strategy: problem analysis. This involves actively contemplating the antecedents and meaning of future stressful situations without trying to solve the problem. Kathy shares her experience using this strategy, including spending over two hours researching propositions for the California election.

Plan Rehearsal as a Coping Strategy

Kevin introduces plan rehearsal as the second coping strategy, which involves envisioning steps to achieve a desired outcome. He gives examples related to voting plans. Kathy emphasizes the importance of having a plan to reduce anxiety and shares her experience helping her sons in another state plan their voting process over four weeks.

Negative Coping Strategies: Stagnant Deliberation and Outcome Fantasy

The hosts discuss two negative coping strategies. Kathy explains stagnant deliberation as dwelling repetitively on a problem without progress. Kevin likens it to rumination. For outcome fantasy, Kevin describes it as daydreaming about desired outcomes while ignoring problem-solving details. Kathy notes that she's observed this more commonly among female students and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing this tendency.

Conclusion and Election Day Blessing

Kevin summarizes the four coping strategies and encourages listeners to engage in problem analysis and plan rehearsal while avoiding negative strategies. Kathy emphasizes the importance of being involved and voting. The episode concludes with a blessing for Election Day by Kate Bowler, focusing on seeking God's guidance and mercy during the election process.

The final episode of season 4 of “Coping” discusses the spiritual practice of celebration as outlined in Adele Calhoun's book 'Spiritual Disciplines'. Learn about the importance of celebration, gratitude, and remembering God's faithfulness, even during difficult times. The discussion concludes with a guided celebration meditation.

Highlights

Introduction and Milestone Reflection

Kathy and Kevin acknowledge reaching the milestone of 107 episodes and the end of the 4th season of their podcast 'Coping'. They express gratitude for the podcast's evolution and their partnership, reflecting on the work and resources invested in producing the episodes.

Childhood Experiences with Celebration

We share our childhood experiences with celebration, including typical celebrations like birthdays, holidays, and gatherings with family.

Spiritual Practice of Celebration

We discuss Adele Calhoun's book 'Spiritual Disciplines' and the chapter on celebration as a spiritual practice, highlighting the idea that God celebrates and that celebration can enlarge one's capacity to enjoy and serve God, even in imperfect circumstances.

Daily and Weekly Celebration Practices

Learn about our daily and weekly celebration practices, such as sharing sweet treats, reflecting on photo memories from previous years, and expressing gratitude. It is important to celebrate, even during difficult times, as a way to find joy and connection.

Monthly and Yearly Celebration Traditions

We discuss their monthly practice of celebrating their anniversary and their annual 'Year in Review' tradition. This involves reflecting on the past year through a series of prompts, remembering challenges and victories, and expressing gratitude.

Importance of Celebration and Remembrance

Kathy and Kevin emphasize the significance of celebration and remembrance in building faith, hope, and courage for the future. They discuss how reflecting on God's faithfulness in the past provides strength and hope for present and future challenges.

Celebration Meditation

The episode concludes with a guided celebration meditation adapted from Heidi Coker. The meditation encourages listeners to acknowledge and celebrate daily victories and miracles, visualizing receiving a medal or trophy and basking in the moment of joy.

This blessing covers nine sacred spiritual pathways, each tailored to different ways of connecting with the divine. It acknowledges the diverse spiritual needs and inclinations of individuals, offering guidance and affirmation for each pathway. Please enjoy!

May naturalists find the creator in nature's beauty, seeing God's cathedral in the grand expanse, and find renewal in the beauty of creation.

May sensates experience the divine through every sense, feeling God's presence in worship melodies and sacred art's beauty.

May rituals and symbols of faith deepen ascetics' experience of the divine and be a source of strength and inspiration.

May solitude and simplicity bring traditionalists closer to the divine, and may their lives testify to simplicity and devotion.

May intellectuals' pursuit of knowledge and wisdom bring them closer to God, and may their knowledge enrich and bless others.

May caregivers' acts of service and kindness reflect God's love, and may their service bring joy and fulfillment to those in need.

May the mysteries and celebrations of faith fill enthusiasts' spirits with awe and wonder, and may their journey be marked by joy and reverence.

May contemplatives' reflections and stillness bring them closer to the divine, and may they find peace in God's presence.

May activists' advocacy and efforts for justice reflect God's love and righteousness, and may their actions be guided by compassion and faith.

In this episode of “Coping”, Kevin and Kathy discuss various spiritual pathways and practices for nurturing one's soul and faith. We discuss Gary Thomas's book 'Sacred Pathways' which outlines nine different pathways: naturalists, sensates, traditionalists, aesthetics, intellectuals, caregivers, enthusiasts, contemplatives, and activists. Also provided is an overview of each pathway and our personal experiences and suggesting practical ways to engage with each one.

It is important to find practices that resonate with one's unique spiritual needs and Be Well Resources encourages listeners to explore the pathways further through the book and accompanying resources.

Spiritual pathways quiz: https://groupleaders.org/curriculum-feed/spiritual-pathways-activity#personal-assessment

Be Well Resources Pathways Guide: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFys-kZ0Dc/qRxkNIbbJIvU3V0xs1fJaw/edit?utm_content=DAFys-kZ0Dc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Gary Thomas, “Sacred Pathways” book: https://www.amazon.com/shop/actorkevin/list/33DKQI838HB65?linkCode=spc&tag=kevindeegan-20&domainId=influencer&asc_contentid=amzn1.ideas.33DKQI838HB65

Kevin Deegan reads a meditation titled 'Blessing in the Chaos' by Jan Richardson. It is a calming and introspective piece that encourages the reader to find stillness and peace amidst the chaos and distractions of life.

This episode of the "Coping" podcast covers a discussion on the importance of soul care and the common excuses people make for not prioritizing it. Hosts Kathy and Kevin acknowledge that while the excuses like lack of time, discomfort with being alone, fear of silence, and inability to stop are valid, they provide practical tips and assignments to overcome these barriers. The key takeaway is that even small pockets of intentional time for soul-nourishing activities can have significant benefits for overall well-being.

Highlights

Introduction and Excuses for Lack of Soul Care

The video introduces the topic of soul care and acknowledges the valid reasons or 'excused absences' that prevent people from practicing it, such as lack of time, discomfort with being alone, fear of silence, and inability to stop or disconnect from devices and constant busyness.

Excuse 1: Lack of Time

The speakers discuss the common excuse of not having enough time for soul care due to work and other responsibilities. They suggest that even small pockets of 10 minutes can be carved out for soul-nourishing activities, such as during school pickups or commutes.

Excuse 2: Discomfort with Being Alone

The speakers address the excuse of not liking to be alone, which is often confused with loneliness. They encourage scheduling a 'soul date' with oneself to engage in enjoyable activities alone, as this can lead to feeling more refreshed and present.

Excuse 3: Fear of Silence

The speakers discuss the fear of silence as an excuse for avoiding soul care. They suggest taking a walk or drive without any noise or distractions, focusing only on natural sounds, as a way to practice entering silence and improve listening skills.

Excuse 4: Inability to Stop

The final excuse addressed is the difficulty in stopping and disconnecting from constant busyness and technology. The speakers recommend a 'phone fast' for one hour a day, handing the phone to a loved one, to create space for being present and engaged in soul-nourishing activities.

Closing Thoughts and Meditation

The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of making time for soul care, even if it's just small pockets of time, and the benefits it can bring to overall well-being. A meditation from Jan Richardson is shared, encouraging listeners to find stillness and peace amidst the chaos.

Listen as Kathy reads a poetic reflection called, "On Time" by Ruth Haley Barton, on the importance of slowing down and savoring life's moments. Consider this in your own practice of self care, or if you don't yet have your own, please feel free to use this as a starting point.

Kathy: I just invite you now to think about the words of this poem and check in with your soul. It is called "On Time" and it's by Ruth Haley Barton:

There have to be times in your life when you move slow. Times when you walk rather than run, settling into each step. There have to be times when you stop and gaze admiredly at loved ones, marveling that they have been given to you for this life. Times when hugs linger and kisses are real. When food and drink are savored with gratitude and humility, rather than gulp down on your way to something else.

There have to be times when you read for the sheer pleasure of it, marveling at the beauty of words and endless creativity in putting them together. Times when you settle into the comforts of home and become human once again. There have to be times when you light a candle and find the tender place inside you that loves or sorrows or sings and you pray from that place. Times when you let yourself feel, when you allow the tears to come, rather than blinking them back because you don't have time to cry.

There have to be times to sink into the soft body of yourself and love what you love simply because love itself is a grace. Times when you sit with gratitude for the good gifts of your life that get lost and forgotten in the rush of things. Times to celebrate and play, to roll down hills, to splash in water or make leaf piles, to spread paint on paper or walls or each other. There have to be times to sit and wait for the fullness of God that replenishes body, mind and soul. If you can even stand to be so full, there has to be time for the fullness of time or time is meaningless.