I’ve been thinking about prayer, what prayer means to some of us who practice it. Prayer in its simplest form is a conduit, a way to communicate, to reach out for guidance, support or forgiveness. Whether we’re seeking comfort for ourselves or someone we love, prayer opens the door to connection and vulnerability.
On this Wise Walk let’s slow down and look at how prayer, whether rooted in faith, intention or personal reflection, can help us release, clarify and tap into our purpose. We’ll look at how asking for help and being open to receive can change not only how we feel but how we show up in the world. Join me as we embrace prayer as a tool for love, healing and connection.
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- What is something weighing on you that feels heavy or emotionally charged?
- What is one thing you can ask for to help lift that weight and feel open to receiving support?
- If you’re feeling energized and in a good place, is there someone in your life who is struggling and could use help?
- What is something you can ask on their behalf to help them receive support or guidance?
- Are you open to asking for support, encouragement, or guidance to help you feel more connected to your purpose and what’s calling you?
- Can you embrace the possibility of hope by being open to asking for what you need?
- Are you open to receiving, even if it’s not exactly what you envision, but possibly something better?
- Can you remain open to what comes your way, knowing it aligns with what you are seeking and need?
- Do you recognize that by benefiting yourself, you also create benefits for others, as we all rise together?
- Can you be open to both asking and receiving?
- Was there a line in my and mom’s created prayer that resonated with you and inspires you to personalize it?
- What intention can you create today to begin your own communication with the universe?
- What can you ask for to align yourself with the right path and desired outcome?
- How can you remain open to receiving guidance and direction toward your purposeful life?
- What is the next step that will bring you closer to living with intention and purpose?
As we wrap up, I’m sending good vibes, prayers, and positive energy your way as you continue to evolve on your beautiful path. I hope you’ll join me for next Thursday’s Wise Walk. If something in today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you—leave a review or send me a note. Until then, keep moving forward with intention, and I’ll see you on the next Wise Walk!
In this episode:
[02:56] I talk about how my mother and I would pray every morning.
[04:06] Faith is powerful because you don’t feel alone.
[06:13] Making up our own prayers is a powerful way to communicate with our life force and energy.
[07:44] Prayer is a powerful conduit of communication.
[10:30] Praying with someone or a community creates a bond.
[12:12] Prayer also keeps us humble.
[13:11] It also offers comfort and supports our emotional needs.
[15:15] Help for being purposeful and living your best life.
[16:53] A friend of mine who is a beautiful singer and songwriter is going to help me put my prayer into song.
[17:17] There’s a theme of asking for protection, guidance, healing, and more.
[18:41] Create your own prayers and way of communicating with the universe. I share our prayer created by mom and me.
Memorable Quotes:
- “Releasing what we were holding onto so tightly allows us to invite in support and guidance to get closer to what we feel called to.” – Mary Tess
- “Put your intentions out there and call upon your holy family, your angels, your ancestors for direction.” – Mary Tess
- “Whatever it is that we are seeking, ultimately, prayer is that conduit or that vessel to open ourselves up to ask for help and then also open ourselves up to receive.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
Mary Tess Rooney
Email
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Heart Value
“Less is more.” It’s a simple phrase, but when we lean into it, it can transform how we live. Simplifying life, whether it’s clearing out distractions, reducing clutter, or focusing on what truly matters, can create deeper meaning, bigger impact, and a sense of harmony we all crave.
I was inspired to talk about this topic after watching a TV show, and one of the characters reflected on how the news used to feel richer and more meaningful before the 24-hour news cycle took over. I recalled that we grew up in a time when news came in short, focused bursts—at 5 o’clock, 10 o’clock, or 11 o’clock—but not constantly.
It got me thinking about how less can often feel like more in our lives. Simplicity and scarcity sometimes bring deeper meaning and impact because they allow us to savor moments instead of being overwhelmed by them. So for today’s Wise Walk, let’s slow down together. Let’s reflect on where in our lives we might benefit from this “less is more” approach.
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- What awareness or epiphany did you have regarding how less is more when reflecting on the evolution of the news cycle?
- What other areas of your life come to mind when you think about where less might be more?
- How can we incorporate the idea of “less is more” into our lives if we’ve drifted away from simplicity?
- How can we create and share moments that are unique, individualized, and impactful because they are less frequent?
- What am I definitely committed to showing up for?
- What am I going to say NO to?
- Can we find the ebb and flow within us that works for us?
- When is less more?
- What are those areas in our life we want to be more intentional about?
I can’t believe 2024 is almost over, and here we are in December. As part of my Wise Walk, I’m planning to journal on this idea of when less is more.
It’s my chance to reflect, go inward, and explore what shifts I want to make in 2025, where I want to focus my energy, and what I want to be more intentional about.
I invite you to do the same. Take some time to reflect on what stood out for you in today’s episode. Where in your life could less be more? Or where have you already seen the benefits of this mindset? I’d love to hear your thoughts and takeaways, so feel free to share them with me.
Until next time, take care, enjoy this season of reflection, and keep walking your True Stride.
In this episode:
[00:47] The news seemed more meaningful when there wasn’t a 24-hour news cycle.
[03:32] When I have less distractions, I have more energy. The quality of what I put my energy into is better.
[05:08] When I have less clutter, I have more space which means freedom, peace, and harmony.
[06:31] Another simple thing that came to mind was when we have less complaining, we have more gratitude.
[08:53] When we are able to notice what we’re investing our time in, we can create more balance.
[10:25] Each of us have things that we can work on and bring to light and be more aware of.
[11:51] Is there someone in your life that can help you with what you need to work on?
[12:14] Can you get curious about things in your life that are causing anxiety?
[13:48] It’s about finding what’s better for us in that “less is more” category.
[15:17] This also applies with gift giving.
Memorable Quotes:
- “Any time or any energy that we put forward for complaining is less time that we have to be grateful.” – Mary Tess
- “Space means freedom. It means peace. It means harmony. What a lovely idea for me to focus on less clutter in my life, so that I can have more space and freedom and peace and harmony.” – Mary Tess
- “Sometimes one thoughtful gift means more than several that dilute its significance.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
Mary Tess Rooney
Email
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Heart Value
As a child, I avoided running. I was active, athletic and competitive, but I generally chose sports and their respective positions by the least amount of running required. In soccer, I was the goalie. In softball, the catcher. When I had to choose between field hockey and volleyball, well… I chose volleyball. By the time I got around to really trying running, it was because I had to, not because I wanted to. My focus was on fitness, not fun.
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Where do you listen to podcasts? Is it taking a walk around the neighborhood, while working out on a stationary bike or elliptical, maybe mowing the lawn or just sitting in a tranquil spot where you can fully immerse yourself? Wherever it is, podcasts have captured our attention by delivering education, information and entertainment.
Well, I’m excited to introduce you to the True Stride Podcast!
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“If your career was like the Olympics, what event would you win the gold?”
That was my favorite interview question in my corporate roles.
Sometimes, the candidate would just look perplexed, so I’d offer, “For example, I’d win the gold in managing cross-functional, diverse teams because I excel at empowering each team member to use their unique gifts to achieve personal and business personal successes.
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