When we experience frustrations in daily life, many of us hold ourselves to blame.

Self-criticism is often our default setting. But we can have a more gracious posture toward ourselves. We can practice disciplines of self-kindness.

Editor and spiritual director Cindy Bunch calls us to self-care through greater compassion for ourselves. She helps us pay attention to the frustrations that bug us in order to identify negative thinking about ourselves or others. As we do so, we can discern what we need to let go. This allows us to lean into the things that bring us joy. Each chapter is filled with spiritual practices and creative exercises for reflection and celebration. The pages of the appealing smaller book format are illustrated with photographs and art from the author.

Be kind to yourself. And discover new opportunities to embrace joy.



Cindy Bunch has worked in the Christian publishing industry for 39 years. She currently serves as Senior Editor-at-Large at InterVarsity Press where she has also served as VP of Editorial, Associate Publisher, and Editorial Director. Cindy is the primary editor for the IVP Formatio line of books. She holds an MA in Theological Studies from Northern Seminary as well as a certificate in spiritual direction from North Park Seminary and blends the disciplines of spiritual direction and theology in her work with writers. She has edited books in many genres including spirituality, memoir, fiction, self-help, pastoral ministry, and Bible study. Cindy is the author of Be Kind to Yourself and a number of LifeGuide® Bible Studies. She and her husband, Dan, divide their time between the Chicago suburbs and Houston, Texas.



Ruth Haley Barton (DD, Northern Seminary) is founder of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors, leaders, and the communities they serve. Trained at the Shalem Institute and the Loyola University Chicago Institute of Pastoral Studies, she is a seasoned spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader who has served on the pastoral staff of several churches. Ruth is the author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, and Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest.



Foreword by Ruth Haley Barton



Introduction: What's Bugging You?



Recording a Daily Examen: Days One to Ten



1. I Had a Bad Day: Paying Attention to the Beautiful Things



2. I Can't Believe I Said That: Speaking Kindly to Ourselves



3. Beyond My Control: Creating a New Mental Playlist



4. I Saw It on Twitter: Knowing What to Let Go



Recording a Daily Examen: Days Eleven to Twenty



5. Ringing in My Ears: The God Who Sees Me



6. When Life's on Hold: Establishing Self-Care Practices



7. It Wasn't Supposed to Rain Today: Discovering What's Underneath



8. I Can't Believe He Did That: Forgiving Others



Recording a Daily Examen: Days Twenty-One to Thirty



9. I Cracked Under the Pressure: Taking One Thingat a Time



10. Things I Don't Want to Do: Gratitude Flip



11. Second-Guessing Myself: The Wisdom of the Enneagram



12. I Don't Have Enough Time for the Things I Want to Do: Finding Time for What Nourishes Us



Epilogue: What's Bringing YouJoy?



Acknowledgments



Appendix: The Intuitive Art Process



List of Practices



Notes



Figure Credits