Isn't it amazing how some of us can get so wrapped up in our day to day routines that we actually don't realize the pressure we put on ourselves?
It's often only when we change the scenery around us, or are afforded an opportunity to withdraw from the normal routine of life that we truly come to appreciate the need for rest and relaxation. Depending on how wound up we are, it might take a few days or weeks to actually leave the stresses of life behind and to actually begin to live again.
Understanding the need for relaxation as a regular part of our lives is key to survival, especially if we're in high-stress situations or if there is much demanded of us. From the vantage point of a place removed from the norm, it can be easier to relax and we can even set goals for ourselves from this outside vantage point. Goals of this kind can include a resolve to regularly take time for some kind of exercise, or perhaps an aim to balance demands put on ourselves with the amount of time we take for leisure.
Whatever manner of rest and relaxation we choose, it's important to pay attention to the inner rythms of life, the stresses and the quiet moments. Balance is always the key.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wisdom
It's amazing where the wisdom of the spirit comes from and the unsuspecting vessels God chooses at times to share his messages with us.
Take for instance a visit I had with the children in a nearby school just today. I made sure I was there in the school to welcome the little ones as they arrived and prepared for another day of learning. Little did I suspect that it was I who would end up with the lesson to be pondered today.
It was a cold morning - perhaps the coldest one we've seen yet this year, and the children were outside in the schoolyard playing prior to the sounding of the bell. As they all paraded into the school and went through the ritual of shedding their coats, hats and other outer garments, one of the children paused at the water fountain.
I stopped to ask how she was and her response was, 'I'm old and cold!' Now this answer was very much a surprise since the child who was speaking can't be more than 11 years old. Was this her way of saying that she's tired? Perhaps she was just thawing out from being in the yard and facing the biting wind. The true meaning might very well remain hidden in her heart since I was so taken aback by the poetry of the moment that I didn't even consider asking her to explain the meaning.
Some of the sayings that children use are absolutely priceless because they usually speak what's on their minds and there is seldom any guile intended. If only adults could be so trusting. Imagine the poetry and music that would flow from our lips.
Take for instance a visit I had with the children in a nearby school just today. I made sure I was there in the school to welcome the little ones as they arrived and prepared for another day of learning. Little did I suspect that it was I who would end up with the lesson to be pondered today.
It was a cold morning - perhaps the coldest one we've seen yet this year, and the children were outside in the schoolyard playing prior to the sounding of the bell. As they all paraded into the school and went through the ritual of shedding their coats, hats and other outer garments, one of the children paused at the water fountain.
I stopped to ask how she was and her response was, 'I'm old and cold!' Now this answer was very much a surprise since the child who was speaking can't be more than 11 years old. Was this her way of saying that she's tired? Perhaps she was just thawing out from being in the yard and facing the biting wind. The true meaning might very well remain hidden in her heart since I was so taken aback by the poetry of the moment that I didn't even consider asking her to explain the meaning.
Some of the sayings that children use are absolutely priceless because they usually speak what's on their minds and there is seldom any guile intended. If only adults could be so trusting. Imagine the poetry and music that would flow from our lips.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wonder
Adults who see the world through the eyes of children are truly lucky.
I recently met one of these angels. He breezed in through the door like most children of his age are wont to do, and it wasn't long before his natural curiosity and sense of wonder captivated everyone else.
In the midst of the adult conversation which was flying around the table, he appeared at one point to announce with great glee that he had discovered a penny in the folds of the couch in another room. With a wink, one of the adults pointed him toward a gumball machine hidden in the recesses of the room. Of course he wanted to know how it worked. Following instructions to the tee, he placed the penny in the slot, turned the handle (with both of his hands) and then puzzled for just a moment before figuring out how to access the gumball which had fallen into a waiting slot. Success!
From this point onward, he would disappear for varying intervals of time and reappear bearing another coin which he had discovered somewhere in the house. The ritual continued unabated, and he announced with great gusto each time, 'that's two! ... that's three! ...'. The wonder and glee on his face was absolutely priceless.
If adults could retain just a bit of this kind of child-like wonder, what a difference it might make to our world.
I recently met one of these angels. He breezed in through the door like most children of his age are wont to do, and it wasn't long before his natural curiosity and sense of wonder captivated everyone else.
In the midst of the adult conversation which was flying around the table, he appeared at one point to announce with great glee that he had discovered a penny in the folds of the couch in another room. With a wink, one of the adults pointed him toward a gumball machine hidden in the recesses of the room. Of course he wanted to know how it worked. Following instructions to the tee, he placed the penny in the slot, turned the handle (with both of his hands) and then puzzled for just a moment before figuring out how to access the gumball which had fallen into a waiting slot. Success!
From this point onward, he would disappear for varying intervals of time and reappear bearing another coin which he had discovered somewhere in the house. The ritual continued unabated, and he announced with great gusto each time, 'that's two! ... that's three! ...'. The wonder and glee on his face was absolutely priceless.
If adults could retain just a bit of this kind of child-like wonder, what a difference it might make to our world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Remembering
Would you lay down your life for a friend?
Today is Remembrance Day. A day when we recall the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
These are people I have never met, though members of my family may have. It is because of their willingness to fight for peace that they lost their lives so that you and I can leave freely in this country. I am living in freedom because someone I never met died to support this cause.
Yet, I ask again, would you lay down your life for a friend? Would you be willing to loose your life for a cause that you believe in?
Christ died for us. He died for our freedom. He died for peace. Christ is our friend who laid down his life for us.
And yet, I wonder, would you lay down your life for Christ? Would you be willing to loose your life so that others may have religious freedom? Would you willingly loose your possessions, your home or access to good food, for Christ?
Most of us would not.
Some might even deny Christ in fear that we might loose these things. Certainly many deny Christ in favour of twenty-first century luxuries. This is an age in which self gratification trumps self sacrifice.
Christ is not asking us to give up our lives. He is only asking for a few minutes of prayer and a life that reflects his great love and great sacrifice. This is really not that much to ask, is it?
Today is Remembrance Day. A day when we recall the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
These are people I have never met, though members of my family may have. It is because of their willingness to fight for peace that they lost their lives so that you and I can leave freely in this country. I am living in freedom because someone I never met died to support this cause.
Yet, I ask again, would you lay down your life for a friend? Would you be willing to loose your life for a cause that you believe in?
Christ died for us. He died for our freedom. He died for peace. Christ is our friend who laid down his life for us.
And yet, I wonder, would you lay down your life for Christ? Would you be willing to loose your life so that others may have religious freedom? Would you willingly loose your possessions, your home or access to good food, for Christ?
Most of us would not.
Some might even deny Christ in fear that we might loose these things. Certainly many deny Christ in favour of twenty-first century luxuries. This is an age in which self gratification trumps self sacrifice.
Christ is not asking us to give up our lives. He is only asking for a few minutes of prayer and a life that reflects his great love and great sacrifice. This is really not that much to ask, is it?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Role Model
"I am a role model" came the response.
Adults in the room giggled, but I engaged the little one in this line of thought, "Tell me how you are a role model".
The five year continued, "I share my things. In school, I help other people when they are having trouble. I try to play with everyone."
We were talking about being living stones in Christ's church. I think we all learned a valuable lesson.
This little one understood how to turn the lessons from each Sunday morning into a way of life. In his interactions with others he was modeling Jesus and in turn being a role model for others.
Are there things that you do making you a role model? Do you share freely of your time or your talents without the expectation of getting anything in return? Do you eagerly and generously help others who need help? Do you interact with everyone equally?
I have much to learn from this five year old. To be a living stone in Christ's church is to live in a way that reflects Jesus's life on earth, to share faith, and to offer yourself in service to others. It is our baptismal call as Catholics to share and to serve. It took this child only five years to understand this, how long will it take before we do?
Adults in the room giggled, but I engaged the little one in this line of thought, "Tell me how you are a role model".
The five year continued, "I share my things. In school, I help other people when they are having trouble. I try to play with everyone."
We were talking about being living stones in Christ's church. I think we all learned a valuable lesson.
This little one understood how to turn the lessons from each Sunday morning into a way of life. In his interactions with others he was modeling Jesus and in turn being a role model for others.
Are there things that you do making you a role model? Do you share freely of your time or your talents without the expectation of getting anything in return? Do you eagerly and generously help others who need help? Do you interact with everyone equally?
I have much to learn from this five year old. To be a living stone in Christ's church is to live in a way that reflects Jesus's life on earth, to share faith, and to offer yourself in service to others. It is our baptismal call as Catholics to share and to serve. It took this child only five years to understand this, how long will it take before we do?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Compliment
In advertising we are told that a message must be heard approximately 25 times before it is heard and understood.
How many times do we hear negative messages? How many times do we hear positive ones?
By regular mail, by email, in person and on the phone, the compliments have been coming this week. The little things, the bigger things, the grand and the ordinary...it seems what I have done is being noticed. The compliments flowed this week; some of these quite unexpected. It feels good.
In return, I re-examined how I treat others. It is easy to criticize. Expressing negative feelings about an experience may seem very natural. On the other hand, it is also easy to find big things to give encouraging comments on.
But, what if we begin to notice the little things too. Though I say thank you to the grocery store clerk, do I compliment her efficiency? Do I give positive feedback when asked for a critique? Do I offer positive reinforcement when someone does what is expected, or do I remain silent?
There are times when one must really search for something good to say, but in a world where negative messages prevail, a simple compliment can go a long way. Today, offer a compliment to someone for the little things that they do and then watch them smile...a little encouragement can go a long way.
How many times do we hear negative messages? How many times do we hear positive ones?
By regular mail, by email, in person and on the phone, the compliments have been coming this week. The little things, the bigger things, the grand and the ordinary...it seems what I have done is being noticed. The compliments flowed this week; some of these quite unexpected. It feels good.
In return, I re-examined how I treat others. It is easy to criticize. Expressing negative feelings about an experience may seem very natural. On the other hand, it is also easy to find big things to give encouraging comments on.
But, what if we begin to notice the little things too. Though I say thank you to the grocery store clerk, do I compliment her efficiency? Do I give positive feedback when asked for a critique? Do I offer positive reinforcement when someone does what is expected, or do I remain silent?
There are times when one must really search for something good to say, but in a world where negative messages prevail, a simple compliment can go a long way. Today, offer a compliment to someone for the little things that they do and then watch them smile...a little encouragement can go a long way.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
What! No Chocolate?!
"What do you think Heaven is like?" was the question posed to a small group of young children.
"A big palace", "My gramma is there", "There is lots of room to run" came the eager responses.
"There is a lot of food, like pears" replied one child.
"An apples" added another, who continued, "But no chocolate, only good food."
While we continued to discuss a child's view of Heaven, I felt my heart sinking at the thought of leaving my earthly home for place void of my favorite indulgence.
As a Catholic, I firmly believe in the promise of a eternal life in Heaven. I trust that when it is my turn to go home, I will see the face of my God. I will reunite with loved ones who have gone before me. Though I believe my singing voice is sadly lacking, when I enter paradise, I imagine that I will be granted the voice of an angel. As a curious person, I trust that the answers to long held questions will be revealed. I will find peace, love and joy unequal to any I have experienced on earth.
With these promises ahead of me, at the risk of never eating chocolate again, I choose to live a life that I hope, co-operates with God's plan for me. Eternity with God vs eternity with chocolate. The choice is easy. After all, I can still eat chocolate while I am here.
"A big palace", "My gramma is there", "There is lots of room to run" came the eager responses.
"There is a lot of food, like pears" replied one child.
"An apples" added another, who continued, "But no chocolate, only good food."
While we continued to discuss a child's view of Heaven, I felt my heart sinking at the thought of leaving my earthly home for place void of my favorite indulgence.
As a Catholic, I firmly believe in the promise of a eternal life in Heaven. I trust that when it is my turn to go home, I will see the face of my God. I will reunite with loved ones who have gone before me. Though I believe my singing voice is sadly lacking, when I enter paradise, I imagine that I will be granted the voice of an angel. As a curious person, I trust that the answers to long held questions will be revealed. I will find peace, love and joy unequal to any I have experienced on earth.
With these promises ahead of me, at the risk of never eating chocolate again, I choose to live a life that I hope, co-operates with God's plan for me. Eternity with God vs eternity with chocolate. The choice is easy. After all, I can still eat chocolate while I am here.
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