In The Time Of Joy And Wonder

Explorers King Royal, Blue Monkey, and Trojan Horse find a young oak tree growing on a small island and decide to let it grow, bringing its stories back to the town folk.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The #1 bestselling author of On Fire shows us how to recapture and harness our childlike sense of wonder in order to become more engaged, successful, and fulfilled. “Engaging . . . O’Leary encourages us to see the world through a child’s eyes.”—Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie There once was a time when we joyfully raised our hands to answer questions, connected easily with others, believed that anything was possible, and fearlessly jumped into new experiences. A time when we viewed each day not as something to endure, but as a marvelous gift to explore and savor—when we danced through our lives in awe of the ordinary moments and eager for the promise of tomorrow. Unfortunately, that’s far from our experience today. Instead, we feel disconnected and jaded. Social media reminds us that we don’t measure up, and the mainstream media barrages us with constant negativity. Many of us find ourselves caught in a life of dogged responsibility and mind-numbing repetition. The daily struggle to earn a living has caused us to lose the sense of wonder with which we once greeted every day. In his new book, bestselling author John O’Leary invites us to consider that it is possible to once again navigate the world as a child does. Identifying five senses children innately possess and that we’ve lost touch with as we age, O’Leary shares emotional, humorous, and inspirational stories intertwined with fascinating new research showing how each of us can reclaim our childlike joy, and why doing so will change how we interact with the world. In Awe reveals how we can regain that ability to see fresh insights, reach for new solutions, and live our best lives.

Break free from the weariness and cynicism of life to enjoy God's amazing promise of childlike joy! It's time to reclaim that awesome sense of wonder--to experience God's amazing promise of childlike joy.

“The PERFECT guide to help us slow down and find the beauty and wonder right in front of us.”—Brené Brown Spark your sense of wonder and lift your spirits with this collection of fun, creative activities and ideas to help cultivate daily joy, illustrated with full-color photographs, artful watercolors, and inspiring stories. Do you remember the first time you saw the night sky blanketed in stars? Or that feeling of magic when you found your first sand dollar on the beach? Maybe it’s when you rode a bicycle for the first time and it felt like flying. Wonder taps us into the joy of being alive, opening our eyes to how much beauty there is in the world and how life can surprise us in the most delightful of ways. Wonder Seeker reminds us that no one is too busy (or too old) to experience daily gratitude and delight. Filled with 52 fun, easy, and incredibly creative prompts and activities, this guide to joy helps us to step out of our ordinary lives, even for just a moment or two each day, to witness the magic all around us. Andrea provides simple practices that bridge creativity and mindfulness and allow the imagination to play. These activities can be done anywhere and can be enjoyed solo, or with friends, family, and even strangers. The fun activities and suggestions in Wonder Seeker include: Taking a curiosity walk Writing a banana love note Going on a wonder date Writing a paint chip poem Hosting a bubble flash mob Making a wish tree Choosing a superhero name And much, much more! As Andrea makes clear, you don’t need to be an artist or consider yourself “creative.” All you need is an open heart and a clear intention to find wonder and awe. It will renew your creative spirit, remind you of the marvels around you, and make your soul sing. Reclaim your inner happiness—let Wonder Seeker show you how.

Nine short stories create The Wonder, The Joy, The Promise, an uplifting book filled with age-old and contemporary themes, by author Evelyn McCarthy. Mary, the mother of Jesus, keeps a journal. In it she describes her feelings of joy, trepidation and an overwhelming sense of serenity as she readies herself to give birth to her son and the son of God. A young serviceman loses his mother and believes life is over until events after her death lead him to his mother's prayers being answered. A single mother struggles to raise her daughter while bills pile up and life seems as if it's one big chore-what happens to change her outlook? A wealthy family experiences loss of income and fear that life has no meaning, until they find a wealth of meaning by realizing what the most important things in life really are. A couple work at a homeless shelter during the Christmas season and are forever changed by the selfless act of giving to other human beings less fortunate. McCarthy's soothing and beautiful prose is a Godsend and will help you to remember just how precious life is and how the healing power of God can transform difficulty into seeking a new path, appreciating the true beauty of life, and realizing that, with God, anything is possible.

Relax and enjoy a creative approach to gratitude with this beautiful coloring book for adults filled with breathtaking illustrations and inspirational quotes from writers, hymns, and Scripture. In today's hectic, stress-filled world, taking stock of our blessings and truly experiencing gratefulness isn't always easy, but this coloring book offers a beautiful and unique way to find moments of peace and quiet to meditate on gratitude. Each beautifully illustrated page features an original design from one of seven talented artists that illustrates a corresponding quote. Features include: Large format 9.75" x 9.75" (25x25cm) pages 45 single-sided coloring pages High quality, bright white paper stock--heavy enough to use pencils, pens, or markers Quotes from the Bible, hymns, and variety of inspirational writers, such as Charles Stanley, Henry Ward Beecher, Maya Angelou, Louisa May Alcott, Martin Luther King Jr., Shauna Niequist, Bob Goff, G.K. Chesterton, Mr. Rogers, and more A link to the "Gratefulness" playlist to help set the mood for worship, contemplation, creative expression, and a spirit of gratitude Illustrations by Holly Camp, Jennifer Tucker, Ann-Margret Hovsepian, Katie Howe, Laura Marshall, Bridget Hurley, and Radha Carlson--all artists previously featured in the bestselling Whatever Is Lovely and Everything Beautiful This coloring book will take you on a journey towards deeper gratitude. Whether you are embarking on this journey by yourself or in a group, pick up your favorite art supplies and color your way to a new understanding of what it means to be truly grateful.

"Happiness is a choice we make each day." Discover the path to lasting joy and contentment with "The Art of Happiness: A Guide to Mastering the Secrets of Joy." This comprehensive and insightful guide takes you on a transformative journey to unlock the secrets of happiness and embrace a life filled with joy, fulfillment, and inner peace. In this book, you'll explore: The foundations of happiness: Dive into the essential elements of joy, from understanding the true meaning of happiness to cultivating a mindset that fosters contentment. The power of gratitude: Learn how to practice gratitude daily and unlock the door to happiness. Emotional intelligence: Develop the skills to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, leading to greater self-awareness and happiness. Building meaningful relationships: Discover the importance of nurturing your connections with family, friends, and romantic partners to create a support network that promotes happiness. The significance of mindfulness: Master the art of living in the present moment and finding joy in everyday experiences. Resilience and overcoming obstacles: Learn to bounce back from life's challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth and happiness. The role of passion and purpose: Explore the importance of finding meaning in your life, pursuing your passions, and living a life aligned with your values. Work-life balance: Uncover the secrets to achieving harmony between your personal and professional life, leading to greater satisfaction and happiness. Health and well-being: Learn how taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being contributes to your overall happiness. The importance of self-care: Discover how to practice self-compassion, self-acceptance, and self-love to cultivate lasting happiness. "The Art of Happiness: A Guide to Mastering the Secrets of Joy" is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to embark on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Filled with practical advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies, this book will empower you to unlock the secrets of happiness and design a life filled with joy, contentment, and inner peace. Contents: The Art of Effective Communication Understanding the Basics of Communication The Importance of Active Listening Verbal Communication Skills Clarity and Conciseness Tone and Pitch Emphasis and Pausing Nonverbal Communication Skills Body Language Facial Expressions Gestures and Posture Written Communication Skills Crafting Effective Emails Writing Persuasive Proposals Social Media Communication Emotional Intelligence and Communication Understanding Your Emotions Empathy and Compassion Managing Emotional Reactions Building Rapport and Trust Mirroring and Matching Establishing Common Ground The Power of Vulnerability Assertive Communication Standing Up for Yourself Setting Boundaries Managing Conflict Persuasive Communication The Art of Storytelling Using Evidence and Logic Influencing Techniques Public Speaking Skills Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking Engaging Your Audience Structuring Your Speech Networking and Social Communication Mastering Small Talk Building Meaningful Connections Networking Etiquette Communicating in Relationships Active Listening and Empathy Expressing Love and Appreciation Resolving Conflicts Communicating in the Workplace Collaborating with Colleagues Presenting to Stakeholders Providing and Receiving Feedback Intercultural Communication Understanding Cultural Differences Adapting Your Communication Style Overcoming Language Barriers Communication and Technology Effective Video Conferencing Online Etiquette Managing Information Overload Improving Communication Through Mindfulness The Power of Presence Mindful Listening Responding vs Overcoming Communication Barriers Dealing with Difficult Conversations Recognizing and Addressing Misunderstandings Navigating Ambiguity Communicating with Different Personality Types Understanding Personality Traits Adapting Your Communication Style Building Rapport with Diverse Individuals Group Communication and Team Dynamics Effective Team Communication Navigating Group Dynamics Facilitating Productive Meetings The Power of Humor and Playfulness Using Humor Appropriately Building Connections Through Laughter The Role of Playfulness in Communication Enhancing Your Vocabulary and Language Skills Expanding Your Vocabulary Improving Grammar and Syntax Mastering Figures of Speech Communicating Under Pressure Staying Calm and Collected Thinking on Your Feet Handling Difficult Questions Communication for Personal Growth Reflecting on Your Communication Style Setting Goals for Improvement Embracing Lifelong Learning The Future of Communication The Role of Artificial Intelligence Evolving Communication Technologies Adapting to the Changing Landscape Active Listening Techniques The SOLER Method Paraphrasing and Summarizing Asking Effective Questions Developing Empathy in Communication Understanding Different Perspectives Cultivating Compassion Empathetic Responding Building Confidence in Communication Overcoming Self-Doubt Practicing Authenticity Celebrating Small Wins Enhancing Creativity in Communication Using Metaphors and Analogies Storytelling for Impact Visual Communication Tools The Power of Silence in Communication The Role of Pauses Listening to Silence Embracing Stillness Ethical Communication Understanding Communication Ethics Respecting Privacy and Confidentiality Encouraging Open and Honest Dialogue Communicating in Times of Crisis Crisis Communication Strategies Conveying Reassurance and Hope Navigating Uncertainty Negotiation and Diplomacy Skills The Art of Compromise Win-Win Negotiation Techniques Diplomatic Communication Strategies Communication for Leadership Leading by Example Motivating and Inspiring Others Providing Constructive Feedback Developing a Personal Communication Style Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses Embracing Your Unique Voice Continual Growth and Development Communication for Personal Branding Crafting Your Personal Narrative Effective Self-Promotion Building Your Online Presence Building a Supportive Communication Environment Encouraging Openness and Trust Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork Promoting Diversity and Inclusion The Psychology of Communication Understanding Cognitive Biases Navigating Emotional Triggers The Power of Perception Improving Communication Through Visualization The Role of Mental Imagery Visualization Techniques for Clarity Enhancing Memory and Recall Communication for Social Change Advocating for Important Causes Crafting Compelling Messages Mobilizing Others for Action

Many Christian leaders today promote rigid doctrine that says, “Never doubt. Never question.” This insistence has been demonstrably disastrous for the church because the first step in any faith formation is to wonder. Nathan Aaseng revives the gift of wonder in seeking a fuller, more awesome experience of God. It welcomes unsettling questions, that are too often dismissed with pat answers.