{"id":964,"date":"2013-12-22T10:57:11","date_gmt":"2013-12-22T10:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=964"},"modified":"2013-12-20T19:06:00","modified_gmt":"2013-12-20T19:06:00","slug":"sit-back-listen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2013\/12\/sit-back-listen.html","title":{"rendered":"Sit Back. Listen"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>
Image courtesy of anankkml\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s crunch time, now. No matter how physically impaired you might be, if you’re looking forward to Christmas, you undoubtedly see a lot of “musts” in your path between now and December 24\/25. Errand. Doc appointments. Visits. Travel, perhaps. Present wrapping. Budget figuring. It’s an endless list. But, know what? I’ve found one of the most important things I can do during these hectic days is sit back and listen.<\/p>\n

It doesn’t have to be for hours on end, and it doesn’t have to be in utter isolation from everything at home or at work. But even a few moments spent gathered, quiet, and open-eared can help re-settle the spirit and rejuvenate the you that awaits those “tidings of great joy.” Even better, add to those moments a favorite Christmas carol, one that evokes deep comfort and maybe takes you back to a simpler, less hurried time.<\/p>\n

So often, in the last days of Advent, we put off the thought of relaxation. “I’ll put my feet up when the holidays are over,” you might think. Or, “When everything’s done, then I’ll rest.” \u00a0But this procrastination also puts off personal enjoyment of the season and denies you a precious gift today: Christmas is all around now! God’s love is poured out for us now!<\/p>\n

And we can sit back and listen now! And, the wonders we shall hear!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s crunch time, now. No matter how physically impaired you might be, if you’re looking forward to Christmas, you undoubtedly see a lot of “musts” in your path between now and December 24\/25. Errand. Doc appointments. Visits. Travel, perhaps. Present wrapping. Budget figuring. It’s an endless list. But, know what? I’ve found one of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":548,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[241,3,4],"tags":[2120,29,44,19,858,381,332],"class_list":["post-964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas","category-chronic-pain-and-illness","category-words-of-encouragemnent-and-info-for-all","tag-christmas","tag-chronic-illness","tag-chronic-pain","tag-illness","tag-listen","tag-relaxation","tag-rest"],"yoast_head":"\nSit Back. 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A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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