Happy Easter! This time of year holds a special place in my heart. Recently, I came across a beautiful description that perfectly captures the essence of spring while going through my Pinterest feed:
"There is something healing about sitting in front of an open window listening to birds and wind chimes and enjoying a natural breeze. It's like the world is telling you to breathe."
As a way to honor the season, I wanted to share some of my favorite books and trinkets that help me stay mindful, guide me in moments of reflection, or simply serve as beautiful symbols of my faith in something greater. I keep these in various places - sometimes I wear them, some are displayed on my nightstand or throughout my room, some I keep close in my bag or wallet. They are deeply sentimental because they serve as constant reminders of the peace I already carry within myself.
♡
Pearls of Life (Frälsarkransen)
This beautiful and richly symbolic bracelet was created by a Swedish bishop emeritus named Martin Lönnebo. It is sort of seen as the Lutheran version of a rosary, to guide you in prayer or to simply bring you comfort. When I was living in Uppsala, I made a visit to Gamla Uppsala's church where these were offered and I fell in love with the meaning behind it. There is a process you can follow when you use these for prayer, saying first, "You are infinite, You are near me, You are light, and I am Yours," and then touching whichever bead you feel represents what you feel you need in that moment:
- Gold: bead of God
Reminds us that there is someone always walking with us and watching over us. It is both the beginning and end of the beads, the origin and destination.
- Beige oval-shaped: beads of silence
Reminds us of the importance of stillness, of turning off our churning thoughts and constant need to perform, and just be.
- Half white/clear: the me-bead
Turns our minds inward to who we are when our outward roles and masks are stripped away, and it reminds us that we are created in God's image.
- White: bead of baptism
Challenges us to have the courage to start over again and carries baptism's promise of infinite mercy and forgiveness. It is never too late. :)
- Beige/sand: bead of the desert
Symbolizes obstacles, when life feels and seems like a desert. Accepting difficulties is the first step towards overcoming them.
- Blue: bead of serenity
Life's rest stop: here in the calm, we nourish our zest and thirst for life. Here we can relax and there are no demands. Enjoy. ♡
- Red: beads of love
There's space in every life for love, those we love and those who love us. There are two beads of love - love is life's great and free-flowing gift.
- Green: beads of mystery
Three small beads that hold the innermost secrets of the heart, those things we never talk about with anyone. The green mystery bead speaks of compassion and care for all of creation.
- Black: bead of the night
Represents the heaviest and darkest of life's moments. To enjoy the daylight, we must first go through the night. God is never absent. ♡
- White: bead of resurrection
Represents the victory of good over evil, and hope defeating worry and fear. It carries peace and light: the night is over and the morning has come. Here flows light and life. ♡
What I love is the intention behind it. Lönnebo created these to be whatever speaks to you the most. You can create your own relationship with the beads or use them as a guide for prayer. It's an invitation to find your own way with them and to connect with God. He states, "The Pearls of Life want to be like a good friend: they don't make any demands, they don't impose, they don't exclude anyone, they remain close at hand. You can hang them above your bed as a reminder: 'Here we are - in case you need us.' You can put them on your bedside table. They like to sit around your wrist or in your pocket."
Love and Light Guidance Cards by Doreen Virtue
These are the cards I mentioned in my post titled, "Intentionality." Every card has a message, verse, and a page in its guidebook to further your reflection and encourage you to reconnect with your inner child, the beauty of the world, and your faith. They aren't about predictions or divination, they were created more for reflection and contemplation and for use as a devotional in helping you access God's messages for you. I feel that they have really helped me understand my current situations, brought me perspective and positive insight, and receive clearer messages. :)
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
This is a devotional that I also love to turn to for guidance in my reflections. It is quite profound when I read its passages or look up its daily verses to find that it mirrors exactly what I needed to hear that day. In the introduction, Sarah Young says that she began this devotional because she wanted to hear what God wanted to communicate to her on a given day, so she "listened" and wrote down whatever she "heard" in her mind by focusing on his word and asking him to guide her thoughts. She states that she knows her writings are not inspired, but that they were helpful in growing closer to God. I feel deeply grateful for the profound impact this devotional has had on me, as it has made scripture feel even more approachable and personally resonant.
Journal
If you hadn't figured it out by now, my spirituality is a significant cornerstone of my identity, so my journal mirrors this quite often. Here, I purposefully engage in mindfulness, a huge component of faith: observing the subtle intricacies in the little things and finding the love therein.
Bible - The Passion Translation
This is a recent discovery for me, which has helped me rekindle my adoration for the bible all over again. While listening to a podcast, I encountered a familiar verse from this translation, and I couldn't help but notice its distinct yet captivating beauty. This translation captures the passion and love of the bible in a modern and easy-to-read way, and evokes emotion while staying faithful to the original message. To me, this makes its message all the more powerful.
♡
A few things I'm grateful for today:
I went to my church's Easter service and it was so nice to be there again. I should prioritize going again :)
My mom made deviled eggs and wowowowowoww
I'm visiting my brother next weekend!
Spring break has begun!
Messages and verses for today:
Today is a gift, and I embrace it with joy and excitement! ♡
Matthew 28:6 🌷🐣
Thank you for taking the time to read through this post,
I cherish you deeply and know in your heart how loved you are.
Have a joyous and blessed day xx
Katie ♡
Also here's my Easter dress! I was feeling pretty lol :)
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