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Be Careful Little Ears (Guest Post)

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Image by AS Photograpy from Pixabay

Be Careful, Little Ears

by Steph Beth Nickel

Those of us of a certain age will likely remember the old Sunday School song encouraging us to be mindful of what we focus on and what we listen to. The importance of doing so has never been more vital, considering the multiple avenues through which our senses are bombarded these days.

This month, I’m going to share some of my favourite podcasts, a couple of my favourite audiobook providers, and two apps that I use virtually every day in my devotional time. I’m also going to touch on why it’s crucial to “turn off the noise” from time to time and calm my squirrel brain. Hopefully, these will be helpful to you as well.

First, Audiobooks

Like many people, I signed up for Audible way back when and, for the most part, used my monthly credits for lengthy books. My search for more economical options, led me to Chirp Books and then Kobo Plus from Rakuten Kobo. As a result of discovering audiobooks, I have spent a plethora of hours consuming books even when my eyes were too tired to focus and my brain too scattered to concentrate without the auditory input.

And speaking of auditory input . . .

There has been an explosion of podcasts and apps in recent years. Below are some of my favourites in various categories:

Faith-Building

  • She Reads Truth (SRT) with co-hosts Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, a podcast which corresponds to the Bible reading plans SRT publishes. Even though I don’t purchase the corresponding materials, I get a lot out of this weekly podcast.
  • A good friend of mine and I have been going through several of the reading plans on the You Version app over the last number of months. I find them great springboards for deeper study on a variety of topics.
  • I also use the ESV app five or more days a week. I appreciate the dimension the narrator adds to my Bible reading. (It’s best if I follow along so I don’t get distracted. Me and my squirrel brain.)

Skills Development

  • The Creative Penn with Joanna Penn, a podcast on writing, self-publishing, and related topics.
  • The Modern Editor Podcast with Tara Whitaker, a podcast with lots of tips for 21st century freelance editors.
  • Writing at the Red House with Kathi Lipp, a podcast in which Kathi and her guests discuss the many facets of being a traditionally published nonfiction author. (Kathi and her guests also touch on fiction writing and self-publishing from time to time.)

Other

  • Grit ’n’ Grace with Cheri Gregory, a podcast about approaching life as a highly sensitive person, an HSP. This podcast is excellent for Christian woman who are HSPs and for those who know someone who is an HSP.
  • The Lazy Genius with Kendra Adachi, a podcast about “being a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t.” Note: Listeners are encouraged to decide for themselves what’s important to them. No cookie cutter approach here.
  • The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman, a faith-based podcast about determining and taking the next right step in the various areas of our life. (I use the guided journal by the same name.)

Still . . .

It’s important to “unplug” periodically.

Here are three reasons I find it important to regularly be quiet:

  • We can soak in the sounds of nature instead of what’s playing on our earbuds.
  • We’re able to think more deeply about what we’re learning and what’s important to us if we’re not going from one thing to the next to the next.
  • When we’re quiet, we have the opportunity to listen for God’s still, small voice.

In December we’ll examine the connection between quiet and rest, something most of us will likely need after the busyness of the Christmas season.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.