The Next Right Thing

When I have a question, the first thing I want is an answer. Sometimes answers are fairly easy to come by – How do you make pizza? What should I wear today? Who can drive to piano practice? But so often, the questions we have in life that give us trouble are the ones that aren't so linear. In my experience, these usually have to do with things like faith, vocation, and relationships. Today I'm sharing about a time in our life when my husband John and I desperately wanted answers but what we got instead was a series of arrows. This is a story of where they led. Links + Resources From This Episode: What Now? by Ann Patchett Episode 14: Know What You Want Grace Discipleship|| John Freeman A Million Little Ways: Uncover The Art You Were Made To Live by Emily P. Freeman The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Get the monthly letter! emilypfreeman.com/letter

How can we discern our next right thing when we're confronted with unpredictable people? Today we'll explore the difference between a loving intention and a fear-based agenda. More From This Episode: Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Get the monthly letter here: emilypfreeman.com/letter Download a transcript of episode 23 at The Next Right Thing Podcast

When you finally find, name, and move toward the things you feel most called to, you will quickly discover some roadblocks in the form of some kind of limitation like time, money, fatigue, or support. Instead of fighting those, perhaps your next right thing is to embrace them. Links + Resources From This Episode: Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer Gary Morland, my Dad Psalm 23 Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton My books, A Million Little Ways + Simply Tuesday (+ the Simply Tuesday small group leader guide) A Creative Liturgy of Everyday Life: Makers & Mystics Podcast - A further conversation I had about embracing limits with Sarah and Stephen Roach Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Get the monthly letter here: emilypfreeman.com/letter Visit The Next Right Thing Podcast show notes to download a complete transcript of this episode.

What do you do when you can't make a decision and you're too close to even know what you want and don't want? You need to find a No Mentor and eventually, learn to be your own. Links + Resources From This Episode: The Nester, my sister (my No Mentor) The Lazy Genius Collective Kendra Adachi (my other No Mentor) Bonita Lillie To Bless This Space Between Us by John O'Donohue Find me on instagram @emilypfreeman Join my monthly list

With computers in our pockets, the truth is we all have low-grade anxiety that messes with our ability to discern our next right thing. Today I'll share practical steps to take to eliminate of one of the most common anxiety triggers: the ones that show up in our feeds, our follows, and our online accounts. Mentions in this Episode: John Freeman - my husband The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology In Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life by Joan Chittister Instagram: @emilypfreeman Get the monthly letter here: emilypfreeman.com/letter Find a complete transcript for this episode right here.

In January it's tempting to search the horizon for what might be next and open ourselves up to new opportunities. But decision fatigue can set in when every opportunity that comes our way seems to have potential. How can we choose which opportunities to take and which ones to pass up? That's today's episode. Links + Resources From This Episode: Myquillyn Smith, The Nester Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung Receive Book Recommendations in the Monthly Letter Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Visit The Next Right Thing Podcast show notes to download a transcript of this episode

Astronaut Scott Kelly was the first American to spend 340 consecutive days in space. But the night he returned home, the news cameras were looking in another direction. In our last episode of 2017, we'll take a few moments to consider what it means to wait with great hope during one of the busiest months of the year. Mentions in this Episode: The Quiet Collection for Christmas (available until December 12) Find me on instagram @emilypfreeman

When it comes to discerning your next right thing, maybe this one small word will make a difference for you as it has for me. Visit thenextrightthingpodcast.com for a full transcript and a copy of today's prayer. Mentions in This Episode: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text For Writing and Life by Marion Roach Smith Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living In A Fast-Moving World by Emily P. Freeman It's Simply Tuesday: A Coloring Book by Emily P. Freeman To Bless This Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman #itssimplytuesday Receive my monthly letter

During the holidays, the transition from our regular schedule to extended time with family can be great in theory but more difficult in practice. Here's one simple step you can take to help you be a sane person with your people this week. Mentions in This Episode: Soul Keeping by John Ortberg Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman Join my letter list Instagram @emilypfreeman Find complete transcripts at thenextrightthingpodcast.com

In 2014, Nancy Writebol was one of the first Americans diagnosed with the Ebola virus infection in West Africa. What happened after that could provide surprising comfort for anyone who feels stuck or discouraged in the midst of a hard time. Visit thenextrightthingpodcast.com for resources mentioned + a full transcript. Join our little tribe at emilypfreeman.com/join and say hi on instagram @emilypfreeman.