The Next Right Thing

In this final episode in our senses series, today we'll discover the role our senses might play in our life with God. One of the most life-giving discoveries I've made over the past decade or so has been to understand that our expression of faith doesn't have to look just one way. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Discover new things with 30% off Kiwico The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle The Listening Life by Adam S. McHugh Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

Fear can be our friend because it helps us to survive by telling us to avoid dangerous things. But when fear works too hard, it's easy to lose our context. We can become hyper-focused on certain cues while ignoring other ones. When fear starts to work overtime, it can help to engage in this simple practice to bring us back to center again. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Uncover personal stories about your past at ancestry.com Rachel Pearl VanEtten's website Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

Questions of timing, next steps, and which path to take can consume our thoughts, causing us to be distracted, lose sleep, or make a decision in haste just to have it behind us. That's because unmade decisions hold power. If you find yourself stuck in the decision-making process, it could help to re-engage in the world around you in ways that have nothing to do with the decision. Maybe it's time to get out of your head and into your body. Links + Resources From This Episode: Explore your creativity with 2 free months of Skillshare premium membership. Why We Have Our Best Ideas in the Shower: The Science of Creativity by Leo Widrich for Buffer Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist Hope*writers is open for enrollment! Learn more or take our 30-second quiz Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

In an attempt to disrupt the cycle of overthinking and get out of my own head, I'm working to pay attention to my body, namely my five senses. This is not my most natural way. If you can relate, I hope that intentionally seeing, touching, smelling, tasting, and hearing might prove to be a grounding practice as we consider our next right thing in several areas of our lives. Today I'm glad to have my sister, Myquillyn Smith (The Nester), join me for a conversation about how to start with our senses at home. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Uncover personal stories about your past at ancestry.com Episode 141: Redo Your Morning Routine Welcome Home by Myquillyn Smith Myquillyn's Autumn playlist Emily's Autumn playlist Myquillyn's website, The Nester Atomic Habits by James Clear Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

If you have decisions to make but feel like you're just circling around the same thoughts, fears, ideas, and possibilities in your head but can't find an out to take action, I want to invite you to journey with me over the course of the next several episodes toward discovering better decision-making habits by engaging our bodies, particularly our five senses. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Get 30% off your first KiwiCo crate Episode 141: Redo Your Morning Routine My conversation with Susan Stabile on The Enneagram Journey Embracing The Body by Tara Owens Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

Sometimes we create routines and other times, we have to break them down. Today's episode is an encouragement for anyone who feels stuck because the routines you had before aren't working anymore. Solidarity, sister. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Uncover personal stories about your past at ancestry.com Episode 76: Create a Simple Morning Routine Episode 90: Start with This Simple Rhythm Episode 140: Do the Opposite Shannan Martin's Instagram account Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

In the fifth season of Seinfeld, Jerry's friend George Costanza decided to do the opposite of his instincts and as a result, he had the best day of his life. Ignoring your instincts may not be good advice, but there's still something to learn from doing the opposite. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Listeners of The Next Right Thing can get 2 free months of Skillshare premium membership here. Get The Between Places journal for 15% off with code NEXTRIGHTTHING here Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

Author Kendra Adachi discusses simplifying choices by deciding once and being the boss of our decisions. They explore finding the balance between being a lazy genius and relieving decision fatigue. They also discuss the power of 'deciding once' in various aspects of life, such as gift-giving and home decor. Staying present and making daily decisions shape our lives and can help relieve decision fatigue.

When it comes to the decisions we have to make, the choices we carry and the many potential roads we could walk down, its important to remember that we don't face these decisions neutrally or at zero every time. Like a good novelist begins her story with the story already happening, that's how we arrive at every decision we make. And that means we're carrying some things we may need to leave behind. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Episode 137: Remember What You Know Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (Details about preorder bonuses here). Email me here with questions you may have for Kendra The Sacrament of Letting Go by Macrina Wiederkehr Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript

From the scientists to the school board, no one really knows for sure what the next best step is in the midst of this continuing coronavirus epidemic — and those who thought they knew for sure before keep changing their minds. We have to make decisions without all the facts, with a rapidly changing landscape of advice, and with fewer certainties we've come to rely upon. Now more than ever it's essential to remember what we already know and practice doing just the next right thing. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Today's episode is sponsored by Ancestry.com. The Next Right Thing listeners can get their AncestryDNA kit and free trial here. Episode 33: Gather Co-Listeners Psalm 23 (MSG) Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download Transcript