Invitation to Wonder, Wait, and Reflect
December Newsletter: Upcoming Soul Care Groups, Online Examen, Advent playlists, events, and guides
“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before...So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running....
Wait. Something is on the horizon."
―Jan L. Richardson
Advent invites us into the already but not yet, the sorrow and the joy, the waiting and hope.
I love the season of Advent. The invitation to slow-down and reflect in the midst of increased activities and preparation for Christmas is more than welcome. To hold the mixture of emotions, the complexities of our lives with openness and tenderness. We slowly light the candles, one at a time. Light in the darkness.
Below I have included a few external advent resources and live online retreats offered by others I know. There’s also music if you don’t need more to look at.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be reflecting in my weekly Returning to Our Soul Home newsletter about Advent’s invitation to ponder the dynamic Living Expression coming to dwell with us. It is for paid members, $5/month to protect for copyright, so upgrade or let me know if finances an issue and I’ll comp you.
Yearly Examen
One way that helps me to slow down is to engage in a Yearly Examen. Over the past couple of years I have offered online Year-End Examen reflections—which I will do again in a shorter version this year on Jan 9th as a part of my open Soul Care groups (see link below to sign up).
I have also created a free downloadable PDF to use on your own:
Whether now or in the beginning of the year, I hope you find time to slow down, to wait, to linger, even when things aren’t as you imagined or hoped for.
with gratitude and joy,
Bethany Dearborn Hiser
Upcoming Soul Care for Wounded Healer Events
Thurs, Dec 7th 11-11:30am PST: Contemplative Silent Meditation
Tues Dec 12th, 10-11am PST: Advent Soul Care Group
Tues Jan 9th, 10-11am PST; New Year Examen Soul Care Group
RESOURCES
BURNOUT & RECOVERY RESOURCE LIST (Hay varias en Español también)
List includes: spiritual director search sites, counseling cooperatives, trainings, cohorts, apps, as well as some of the resources I use in my soul care groups.
If you have recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!
External Offerings
(I don’t get any compensation for sharing these)
ADVENT RETREAT DAYS
There are lots of advent retreat days from other contemplative leaders I know. Here are a few:
Advent Day of Quiet, by Christine Sine
NEW ADVENT DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES:
ADVENT PLAYLISTS
SOUL CARE FOR WOUNDED HEALER: CUSTOMIZED NON-PROFIT WORKSHOPS
Based on the book, From Burned Out to Beloved, workshops integrate discussion questions, grounding activities, trauma research, recovery tools, contemplative practices, and other spiritual disciplines. They seek to improve the overall well-being of individuals, enhance organizational culture, and improve sustainability and effectiveness in work.
Workshop topics can be combined or tailored specifically for your group. Contact me to start the conversation.
INSIGHT TIMER GUIDED MEDITATIONS
Follow me on Insight Timer to be notified when new meditations are posted.
I’ve recorded some of my soul care group meditations for your listening and prayerful contemplation on-the-go! I welcome your rating and sharing of the meditations.
Bethany Dearborn Hiser is the Director of Soul Care for Northwest Family Life, a network of therapists trained to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma.
She is the author of From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers. For more about her, her book, or workshops she offers, visit:
Thanks for the yearly Examen resource!