God is shaping me and shaping you! What a hope-filled thought for 2022. I think we all would like to see the world become a more just and gentler place. That’s a cause we can get behind. It may seem overwhelming, but I can start with me—letting God form me into a more just and gentler me. When I offer that me to the world, God can move through me to shape the world into God’s image.

Here is another hopeful thought as we live into this new year:

“All shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.
In the end, all shall be well and if all is not well, it’s not yet the end.”
Julian of Norwich

A person who I find very hope- inspiring is Matthew Kelly from Dynamic Catholic. Here are his thoughts on emotionally healthy people. Before you read them, I encourage you to pray and ask God what God desires that you take in from this message. I then invite you to slowly and prayerfully read and ponder each point. There is a LOT to each statement!  Go deep with it! Let God speak to you and shape you with each one. (You can also find these on YouTube.)

 EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY PEOPLE…

1. Possess self-awareness. They are able to observe themselves and continue to get to know themselves. This is the starting point for emotional health as well as an ongoing process.
2. Are aware of others and how what they do and say affects others. They can put themselves in another’s shoes, and thus, are quick to recognize other people’s needs.
3. Are willing and humble enough to question their own assumptions about themselves, other people, relationships, and life in general.
4. Allow themselves to be angry as part of the human condition and learn healthy ways to process it.
5. Are able to set boundaries and say “No” to make space for the greater/deeper “Yes”. They learn to do this and gradually do it without feeling guilty. They recognize that other people use guilt to get what they want because it works and they learn to take themselves out of those situations.
6. Realize that everyone is carrying a heavy burden. They have large stores of empathy and give people the benefit of the doubt.
7. Know how to be alone with themselves enjoying their own company. They sometimes choose to be alone rather than be with those who have a negative impact on their lives.
8. Make decisions based on values rather than their feelings in the moment.
9. Walk away from toxic people.
10. Are comfortable with uncertainty. They are able to wait for the right answer rather than rush to a wrong conclusion for the sake of having false closure.
11. Accept that everyone experiences times of stress, anxiety, fear, and depression at some points in their lives. They view these as a part of natural living and see their value and purpose.
12. When they meet someone that they don’t like, they are willing to explore why they are uncomfortable, and how they may be being challenged to change and grow.
13. Have a healthy sense of self. They know who they are, and they know who they are not. They don’t let other people determine their self-worth.
14. Understand that people come into their lives for reasons and seasons. Not always forever. People and circumstances naturally change over time.
15. Believe in the best of their humanity. In each moment they can choose to love, show compassion, and make a difference. They let the best of their humanity shine bright and often!

I pray that you will come back to this list from time to time. I know that I will. I leave you with this prayer— Read it as if God is talking to you, wanting to shape you anew.

Let My Love enfold you in the radiance of My Glory. Sit still in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace. These quiet moments with Me transcend time, accomplishing far more than you can imagine. Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you and your loved ones. Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out. As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be. Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up. Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace. Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step. (Jesus Calling: January 25)