by Doug Pedersen

When was the last time you had brain fog?

Or made a mistake in reasoning?

Or felt uncreative?

Or felt drained?

We've all had these moments, and some all simultaneously.

I know I've had mornings where I felt hungover without having had the party.

These are states of incoherence, and they result from stress or pressure.

Good news: coherence is also available to us.

An emotional fitness routine helps us access coherence naturally.

Practice by making excellent and moral choices.

Be honest and authentic.

Meditate on and reframe hardships.

There are techniques for this.

Coherence is the route to resilience, energy, and happy living.

Make sure you're feeling good and doing good.

by Doug Pedersen

Here's another post.

Not a lecture.

Simply a reminder for me and anyone of like mind.

Simple intentions.

Behavior choices.

Life experiences.

These things often lead to unhappy circumstances, including spiritual struggle and doubt.

However, these things also push us in matters of the spirit.

How we feel.

How we speak.

How we act.

How we learn, grow, and mature through our experiences.

Nothing good is wasted.

I say: Struggle! Doubt!

Everything struggles as it grows. And growth is good.

The Father of all infinity knows who we are and what we need.

by Doug Pedersen

This one's a toughie.

A study circulating says roughly 80% of our thoughts are negative. And they auto-repeat.

Such negative thinking often leads to gossip, complaining, and criticism of all things in all ways.

I'm no genius, but I've learned that I'll never be at peace when I carry a critical attitude.

Criticism is the spiritual equivalent of death by 1,000 cuts.

It's an energy drain—a leakage of spiritual potential.

It's hard, but practicing innocent perceptions of people and situations is liberating.

Exercising equanimity is, as well.

I say: Quit Criticizing.

Allow people, circumstances, and things room to blossom.

Give them grace, and receive more grace in return.

It's a recipe for a calmer, more peaceful life.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

"Hey Siri: How do you guarantee never to have complete faith?"

You worry.

Ok. My kids didn't ask Siri this.

But they might someday.

I hope that Siri tells them that worry is spiritually unnecessary.

The anxiety it creates robs you of your present moments.

It restrains you while restricting your ability to connect to your deeper Self.

You will need your present moments when struggling with spiritual doubt.

Mental and emotional freedom is what's required here.

I say: Don't Worry.

A pure heart, mind, and body can feel, think, speak, and act with divine guidance.

Isn't that right, Siri?

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

People are still looking for a takedown.

Are we really in a culture war?

I'm not sure, but I believe that the world will be ideal when prejudice, bigotry, chauvinism, corruption, and all vile behaviors no longer exist.

These things are ignorant.

But intolerance of ignorant people leads to more prejudice.

Grace, patience, growth, living examples, isolation, and more overcome it.

I'm not saying we need to allow ignorance into our personal space.

I'm saying that intolerance is spiritual ignorance.

Our Creator is in all. He is tolerant of all.

We can focus on hope and work morally forward on our disagreements.

I say: Say Farewell To Intolerance.

Hope is a way to have greater peace and tranquility.

Who doesn't want that?

(Image credit: Take My Hand by Greg Olsen)
mock Q&A by Doug Pedersen

“Christianity and its bible are a lie and entirely fiction.”

“People don’t trust your church anymore.”

“People don’t trust your bible.”

“People don’t like your God."

I read these phrases a few minutes ago while perusing an article on Medium. They are tame compared to other comments I’ve seen regarding religion and God. The fact is, many more phrases exactly like these exist in article copy, headlines, and within the reader responses on the platform—and all over social media. Check out the leading atheist writer when you're bored one day. Here are a few more examples:

If the Church Wants Credibility, It Should Start by Apologizing

We Need to Talk About Christian Deconstruction

The REAL Reasons People Are Leaving Your Church

There was a time when people never discussed religion openly or on purpose. It was taboo and thought to be among the three things you should never talk about: money, politics, and religion...

by Doug Pedersen

"I'm nice to people because when I get to Heaven, I want to have a lot of jewels on my crown."

Oh, really?

I was suspicious of the youth pastor that said this to me.

It seemed shallow and not the right goal for Heaven-life.

But here I am, suspicious of the person telling me about God.

I know more than one person that's wary of God.

I understand the apprehension.

How do you approach such an entity?

But that's what you must do.

Suspicion is spiritual weakness. It weakens faith.

I say: Work Out Your Suspicions.

Faith is the key and the cost to experiencing the Family of God.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

And what about jealousy?

Unlike envy, jealousy appears if we feel a threat to losing something that we already possess.

I'm not trying to lecture anyone. This is my reminder.

Nurys would've left me years ago to drown in my vodka soda had I not moved past jealous thinking.

I'm just saying.

Jealousy is described as fierce, murderous, and bitter.

Jealous people say things to undermine others.

It's spiritual demolition—destruction.

The spirit of good nature within does not respond to this attitude.

Neither does anyone else.

I say: Move Past Jealousy.

The spirit of good nature within each of us brings unity.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

Have you heard of Facebook envy?

It's a real thing. I had to look it up.

German researchers found that 1 in 3 people feel staggering levels of envy after surfing the site.

Do you buy that?

Envy over cat photos?

Perhaps. No offense to my coworkers.

All I know: Envy is a spiritual disease that separates us from our good nature and others.

It's said to "rot the bones."

Expressing personal lack via envy can also be intensely emotional. It has been for me, at least.

I would rather be loyal and faithful to my authentic self.

And live with loyalty towards my friends, neighbors, and community.

Appreciate them sincerely.

Encourage them.

I say: Put An End To Envy.

Genuine good feelings have many benefits with no downside.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

My kids still get angry over little things.

A few nights ago, Andrew farted while under Allena's blanket.

Andrew thought it was funny. Allena didn't. She really didn't!

They bickered about the fart like an old married couple until it escalated into anger—and a full-fledged fight.

We've all acted like little kids when we don't get our way.

But anger is a useless emotion that leads us to forget others and ignore alternatives.

It's a spiritual blindfold.

Mercy is the way. It brings greater connection and compassion.

Which helps us realize that a fart can be funny. Or that its intention may hurt someone's feelings.

I say: Avoid Anger.

Treating others as you would be treated is the premier technique for happy living.

Who doesn't want that?