"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe … [Read more...]
How do you Celebrate the Firsts in your Life?
Watching a grandchild provides endless life lessons. I realized this last Saturday when I grabbed the camera to capture Kyla’s first boat ride on Hamilton Lake. (By the way she doesn’t look too happy in these photos and really wanted a nap instead of a strange bumpy trip on water. She did enjoy the second boat ride later in the day with giggles and smiles.) How we love to celebrate a child’s firsts in life! Think of them all - the first tooth, the first haircut, the first walk, the first day of school. We clap our hands, take lots of photos and maybe have a party. We inscribe the event into our memory for safekeeping and honor the moment.Why have we as adults forgotten to honor firsts in our lives? I don’t like to think that we have no more firsts after we reach a certain age. I think I quit noticing and don’t take the time to recognizing new onsets in my life.I believe in life long learning – so the first time you read a new word, pondered a new idea, or learn a new skill should be … [Read more...]
More on Gentleness as a Spiritual Practice
I missed a meeting a few weeks. Totally forgot I made the commitment to attend it. If I had just taken the time to think that day, I would have realized it. But no, I fixed all my attention of my to-do list and my all-important busyness, totally forgetting my obligation.As I traveled this morning, I beat myself up once again about my lapse of memory. “You really should have remembered that. How could you be so stupid?” Then I listened to myself. Why, I would never talk to another human being in that tone of voice or use those words. How cruel, mean, and heartless. Why am I treating myself this way?Dan Milligan wrote, "So be gentle with yourself; show yourself the same kindness and patience you might show a young child - the child you once were. If you won’t be your own friend, who will be? If, when playing an opponent, you are also opposing yourself, you will be outnumbered." A few years back I heard a speaker say, “Listen to your own self-talk.” I tried it and was shocked by the … [Read more...]
Book Review: Where is God in your Life?
Attention: Retreat leaders and small group facilitators. I discovered a great reference to add to your library. Where is God in your Life? by Susan M. Provost.The purpose of this book is to help us see God in our lives and to know His love. The book is uniquely set up in the style of three two-day retreats with the topics of spirituality, understanding the soul, Christian spirituality, God’s presence, prayer, and spirituality within the community. The author shares ideas for icebreakers, Biblical readings, music, and even the time schedule. How handy for a busy retreat leader.The strength of the book’s resources lies with the strong narrative – the type of “meaty” material that adds depth to a retreat. The book explores the teachings expressed by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich and is an examination of the six stages of a person’s faith journey:(1)recognition of God;(2)the life of discipleship;(3)the productive life;(4)the journey inward and meeting the wall;(5)the journey … [Read more...]
Gentleness – Lectio Divina
Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:5a (NIV)GentlenessLord I ask for Your spirit of gentleness to shine in my life.May I reflect Your kindness in all that I meet.May I treat my own self with tender love.GentlenessLoving others with a strong and decent goodnessWalking humbly through life, being honest with selfSpeaking and being a blessing to others.GentlenessThank you for Your never-ending gentleness with me.Thank you for the gentleness shown to me by othersThank you for being Gentleness. … [Read more...]
Teresa of Avila – Quote of the Week
Although I have often abandoned you, O Lord, you have never abandoned me. Your hand of love is always outstretched towards me, even when I stubbornly look the other way. And your gentle voice constantly calls me, even when I obstinately refuse to listen…What a good friend you are, Lord! You are so patient, willing to wait as long as necessary for me to turn to you. You rejoice at the times when I love you, but you do not hold against me the times when I ignore you. Your patience is beyond my understanding. Even when I pray, my mind fills with worldly concerns and vain daydreams. Yet you are happy if I give only a single second of honest prayer, turning that second into a seed of love. Oh Lord, I enjoy your friendship so much, why is it not possible for me to think of you constantly?Teresa of Avila … [Read more...]
Secret to Longevity: Friendship
Want a long healthy life? Researchers at Brigham Young University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gathered data from 148 studies on health outcomes and social relationships. They looked at every paper on this subject they could find. Their research ended up including more than 300,000 people. What did they find? People with poor social connections had on average 50% higher odds of death in the study's follow-up period (an average of 7.5 years) than people with more robust social ties.Friends keep you healthy.God created community to help us thrive in our health in all areas: physical, emotionally and spiritual. I would add social health too.When I was in graduate school, drained physically and mentally from balancing work, parenting, and school, I resolved to do one action over summer break in all the dimensions of health to revive my spirit. Physically, I walked at least three times a week. Mentally I escaped the world of serious non-fiction and enjoyed good … [Read more...]
Living Deliberately
My friend, Candy, went skydiving last week. Yes that's Candy in the photo. She posted her adventure on Facebook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXLjJSybrtQ) and I laughed as I watched it – she never stopped smiling. She embraced life, took the challenge, and literally let go. Candy lives deliberately – experiencing each day. She didn’t let fear or excuses stop her from achieving a deep desire in her heart. Now I am not going skydiving and am not recommending it either, but doesn’t it make you wonder what has been on your bucket list too long and needs attention? What God given yearning is buried in your heart under the clutter of everyday chores and other people’s demands? Henry David Thoreau lived deliberately. He rose every morning with the intention to absorb very crumb of the day. He wrote, “I want to live deep and suck all the marrow out of life…to know it by experience.” I think most of us walk around half asleep or even worse half dead. We get caught up with our … [Read more...]