Doses of God
Identify and connect with what’s good among common occurrences in life
Description
The ABCs of a Dose of God is a poetic framework for identifying and connecting with what's good among common occurrences in life. The poem uses an alphabetic structure to outline themes for reflecting on the inherent value of everyday experiences.
When you need a Dose of God
Simply pause, look around
Allow your eyes to see all things
Allow your ears to hear each sound
A dose of god can be had
Anywhere, without a doubt
Such a dose is always near
You never have to go without
A Dose of God is in the Angels
Sent to you from up above
A dose is there while on the Beach
Relaxing with the one you love
It’s on the radio in the Car
When you hear your favorite song
It’s in the sound of your Delightful voice
When you decide to sing along
A Dose of God is Everywhere
Even in your darkest day
A Dose is there in your best Friend
Helping you to find your way
It’s in the presence of the Grief
As you lose someone close
It’s in the middle of Happiness
As you obtain what you want most
A Dose of God is on your Ice cream
When you receive an extra scoop
A Dose is there when you find Joy
As you twirl a hula-hoop
It’s in the pleasant sounds of Kids
As they play freely through your house
It’s on the Lips of a gentle kiss
As you say goodnight to your loving spouse
A Dose of God is in the Mirror
When you look at yourself and smile
A Dose is there when the weather is Nice
And you can run that extra mile
It’s there when you’re on the Open road
Without another soul is in sight
It’s in the energy of a Party
When out with friends on a city night
A Dose of God is in the Quiz
On which you earned a perfect score
A Dose is there when you do what’s Right
And give to someone who needs more
It’s at the lake on a Sunny day
When you jump into the water
It’s the refreshing Taste of lemonade
To cool you off when you get hotter
A Dose of God is Under the blankets
As you snuggle by the flame
A Dose is in the Value of moments
You spend throughout this lifelong game
It’s in your heart with your free Will
To choose how you will walk your trail
It’s in the eXtra effort you offer
That allows you to direct your sail
A Dose of God is here for You
Right now and will forever be
The available dose cannot be Zero
Just look around and you will see
Reflection Questions by Verse
A Dose of God is in the Angels sent to you from up above
Who are some of the angels in your life?
In what ways have they protected, inspired, or otherwise supported you?
How do you feel when you recognize their influence on your life?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of the presence and influence of your angels?
A dose is there while on the Beach relaxing with the one you love
Who are loved ones you enjoy relaxing with?
Where do you enjoy relaxing with them?
How do these types of experiences make you feel?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to relax with your loved ones?
It’s on the radio in the Car when you hear your favorite song
What are your favorite songs or examples of other forms of language content?
In which types of environments do you encounter them?
How do you feel when you hear or see them?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of your exposure to songs or other language content you enjoy?
It’s in the sound of your Delightful voice when you decide to sing along
What are examples of when you have sung along to your favorite song or otherwise engaged as an active participant in the natural flow of your experiences?
How do you feel when you sing along or engage in the natural flow of these experiences?
In what ways do you express gratitude for the opportunity to immerse yourself in your favorite song or the flow of other moments?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to sing along to your favorite songs or embed yourself in the flow of other experiences?
A Dose of God is Everywhere even in your darkest day
What are examples of times when you have experienced dark days?
How did you feel during those times?
How do you navigate moments of despair so you can feel better and glean value through the experiences?
In what ways do you express gratitude for God’s eternal existence during dark times and the peaceful energy He can bring to you?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of God’s presence during moments of despair?
A Dose is there in your best Friend helping you to find your way
Who are some of your closest friends?
In what ways have they helped guide you in the right direction?
How do you feel when they provide you with useful guidance?
In what ways do you express gratitude for it?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of useful guidance as it is being provided by your friends and others?
It’s in the presence of the Grief as you lose someone close
What are examples of when you endured a grieving process?
In what ways were you able to connect with God’s presence during your grief?
How did you feel during these times when you did or did not connect with God’s presence?
How do you express gratitude for God’s ways of easing your grief?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of God’s peaceful presence during times of grief?
It’s in the middle of Happiness as you obtain what you want most
What are examples of complex goals you pursued that contributed to your happiness?
What are examples of simple moments that made you happy?
How do you feel when you experience happiness through complex and simple circumstances?
In what ways do you express gratitude for your happiness?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to be happy?
A Dose of God is on your Ice cream when you receive an extra scoop
What are examples of extra things or experiences you have encountered that pleasantly exceeded your expectations?
How do you feel when you receive unexpected abundances?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of the abundances in your life?
A Dose is there when you find Joy as you twirl a hula-hoop
What are examples of activities you enjoy that support the health of your body and other attributes of your holistic well-being?
In what ways do these activities benefit your holistic well-being?
How do you feel when you participate in these types of activities?
How do you express gratitude for the ability to be physically active in these ways?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to participate in these types of activities?
It’s in the pleasant sounds of Kids as they play freely through your house
What are examples of times you have been around the positive energy of kids engaging in activities they enjoy?
In what ways have you allowed or created space for kids to do things they enjoy?
How do you feel when you are able to be around and absorb the positive energy in these types of environments?
How do you express gratitude for the positivity that permeates such settings?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to be around the positive energy of kids who are doing things they enjoy?
It’s on the Lips of a gentle kiss as you say goodnight to your loving spouse
What are examples of ways in which you exchange small expressions of love with someone you care deeply about?
How do you feel when you give or receive them?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of, and act on, opportunities to exchange small expressions of love with someone you care about?
A Dose of God is in the Mirror when you look at yourself and smile
What are examples of tangible or intangible things you like about yourself?
How do you feel when you recognize them?
In what ways do you express gratitude for them?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of, and act on, opportunities to identify and nurture attributes of yourself that you like?
A Dose is there when the weather is Nice and you can run that extra mile
What is an example of a time when you identified and acted upon ideal conditions for putting extra efforts into activities that promote the enhanced well-being of yourself or others?
What were the ideal conditions that allowed you to implement the extra efforts?
How did the process of acting on the conditions make you feel?
In what ways do you express gratitude for the conditions?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of, and act on, ideal conditions to allocate extra efforts toward activities that benefit the well-being of yourself or others?
It’s there when you’re on the Open road without another soul is in sight
What is an example of a time when you were driving alone or were in another solitary space where you paid attention to the beauty of your internal self or the external world?
What are examples of the physical beauty that surrounded you, the types of thoughts you observed, or the subtle inspirations you acted upon?
How do you feel when you are alone and allow yourself to perceive the beauty within and beyond you?
In what ways do you express gratitude for opportunities to be alone and establish deeper connections with your internal self or the external world?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to embrace internal and external beauties as they surface through solitary spaces?
It’s in the energy of a Party when out with friends on a city night
What are examples of structured or unstructured events you have experienced with friends where good vibes freely flow?
What were attributes of the setting and characteristics of the people who contributed to the positive synergy of the environment?
In what ways did you contribute to the encouraging collective energy of the experience?
How do you feel when you receive or contribute to collectively positive energy?
In what ways do you express gratitude for opportunities to share experiences with friends at events where positive energy flourishes?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to be with friends at events where good vibes freely flow?
A Dose of God is in the Quiz on which you earned a perfect score
What are examples of positive outcomes you have achieved by preparing for and meeting externally established criteria?
What are examples of positive outcomes you have achieved by demonstrating your ability to prepare for and meet your own internally established criteria?
How do you feel when you achieve positive outcomes by meeting external or internal criteria?
In what ways do you express gratitude for your ability to achieve positive outcomes by meeting the criteria?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to pursue outcomes based on external or internal criteria?
A Dose is there when you do what’s Right and give to someone who needs more
What are examples of material and nonmaterial gifts you have given to others?
How do you ensure you are giving something valuable that is needed or wanted by the receiver of your gift?
How do you feel when you intentionally give something to others who need or want what you are able to provide?
In what ways do you express gratitude for your ability to positively impact others through your gifts?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to give valuable gifts in intentional ways?
It’s at the lake on a Sunny day when you jump into the water
What are examples of times when you acted quickly on optional opportunities in non-routine or unfamiliar settings?
What types of positive short-term or long-term outcomes resulted from your actions?
How do you feel when you act on these types of opportunities and experience favorable results?
In what ways do you express gratitude for your ability to spontaneously, voluntarily, and courageously jump into opportunities that are likely to yield positive outcomes?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to demonstrate spontaneous voluntary courage in non-routine or unfamiliar settings?
It’s the refreshing Taste of lemonade to cool you off when you get hotter
What are examples of times when you have found a source of relief or refreshment to alleviate a pressure or burden that you were experiencing?
How do you feel when you find these types of sources?
In what ways do you express gratitude for being able to find sources of relief or refreshment during times of stress?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to find refreshments when you need to alleviate your pressures or burdens?
A Dose of God is Under the blankets as you snuggle by the flame
What are examples of when you have united with someone you love to observe, contribute to, or otherwise engage with a shared experience?
How do you feel when you share these types of experiences with someone you love?
In what ways do you express gratitude for being able to unite with someone you love to share common experiences that matter to both of you?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to unite with someone you love to observe, contribute to, or otherwise engage with a shared purpose?
A Dose is in the Value of moments you spend throughout this lifelong game
What are examples of productive thoughts you have had?
What are examples of destructive thoughts you have had?
How do you feel when you think in productive ways?
How do you feel when you think in destructive ways?
In what ways do you express gratitude for being able to think productively?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to be a productive thinker?
It’s in your heart with your free Will to choose how you will walk your trail
What are examples of your core values and beliefs, or other frames of reference, that you utilize to inform how you interpret and interact with the world?
How do you feel when you make decisions and take actions in ways that align with your values, beliefs, or other frames of reference?
In what ways do you express gratitude for being able to act in accordance with the attributes of such lenses?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to deliberately behave in authentic ways that align with your core values and beliefs?
It’s in the eXtra effort you offer that allows you to direct your sail
What are examples of constructive struggles you have pursued?
How did they support the development of your knowledge, skills, perspective, or relationships in ways that better prepared you for subsequent opportunities?
How do you feel when you put extra effort into challenges that have potential to enhance your well-being and lead you to desirable experiences?
In what ways do you express gratitude for opportunities to pursue constructive struggles?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to identify and act on constructive struggles that promote your well-being and better position you to be where you want to be, go where you want to go, and do what you want to do?
A Dose of God is here for You right now and will forever be
What are examples of gifts or blessings that have been given to you?
How do you feel when you realize they are available to you?
Do you have a tendency to accept or reject them?
In what ways do you express gratitude for the blessings and gifts that you have received?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to readily accept the gifts and blessings that are continuously being given to you?
The available dose cannot be Zero just look around and you will see
What is an example of a time when you have seen, heard, or otherwise noticed God’s existence through one of your senses?
How do you feel when you are aware of God’s presence?
In what ways do you express gratitude for your connection to God?
What strategies could you implement to maintain awareness of opportunities to notice and accept God’s eternal essence?
Resources
Anderson, N. (2009). A good dose of God: Everybody’s best friend. Author.