Wednesday, November 9, 2016

A Nice Day for Mom



When I was a young I hated the advice "bloom where you are planted." It sounded like a cop-out or an accuse for lethargy. I have always been on the go. I'm motivated by the idea of a ladder and I always want to climb to the next rung, learn what is waiting around the next corner. I still view this as a positive character trait.

Recently I've tripped over the realization that the more I know, the harder it becomes to grow in holiness. The cornerstone of my personality is adventure and work. The more I find out about people and the wide world the further away heaven and clarity seem to be. How to marry these two things that both seem good?


I think cautiously is the only way to get on. I am thinking of my present time as a bowl to be filled with my very best effort. I want to let go of the desire for success, prestige, possessions, promotion, money, and acknowledgment. I actually believe that if I fully accept this very place I am in as where I am meant to be and use my natural energy to max-out on my tasks, what is meant to be will follow- perhaps more than if I was breaking my back for the future.

They say, "reach for the stars," and they talk about dreaming big dreams A LOT. And I don't think that is bad. But it is heavy, and it does have the potential to distract from the now. I've wasted so much time dreaming of becoming smarter, fitter, and richer. The goal is to look around me and say, "what can I do with what I've got RIGHT NOW?" Being smart, fit, rich, beautiful, white, black, strong, healthy, childless, married, or single, doesn't make me better. Accepting MY portion as what is meant for me alone, and working it to death is what makes me better than I was yesterday.






*Edit: All this to say, don't let your vision and aspiration for the future steal from the goodness of every day.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Election Stress Management

Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labors.
--St. Therese of Lisieux

I've been thinking and feeling and wondering about Christ's mother staying so silent when she was the one person on earth who knew the most about God. There is almost nothing in Sacred Scripture about her. Her thoughts, opinions, her wisdom are mostly a mystery to us.

Then I have considered that Christ chose to veil Himself from most people. Those who searched for Him found Him. Those who were ready for Him, longed for Him, received Him.

The Mother of God was only taking part in this most frustratingly perfect mystery. She understood how grace was at work: Silently.

Nothing has changed. The Messiah is found only by those who long for the Word, as a deer longs to drink.

This is what I am breathing in as the political mayhem unfolds. I've given the silent treatment to this mess, while trying to show charity to those who haven't taken the same path. VERY few of us are called to be preachers and teachers. We must necessarily tend to our own hearts and minds.

I am taking a page from the Blessed Mother's very thin book, and keeping as much in my heart as possible. This is my part as the Almighty does His work. Amen.




She  who is silent everywhere finds peace.
--St. Teresa Margaret


Sunday, November 6, 2016

Giving Freedom for Christmas



There is a pile of toys available on the other side of the room...

...and here she is playing with an old box filled with give-away clothes. You all know its true; the best things in life are free. In short, children have no masks or pretenses and if we are humble enough we can learn from them.

I am already thinking of Christmas and all the cool things I want to buy to make my children happy. But today I am reminded that the human spirit craves simplicity and order and the freedom to explore, more than all the noise and flash and color that we try to dazzle it with.

As time goes on and we drift away from childhood we forget our way home to the things and the people who matter the most.

This holiday season, I am going to focus on the natural beauty of symbolism and provide an atmosphere of peace and simplicity at home. In the end, I don't want to add to anyone's burden of possessions, but give the gift of leaving them alone to discover things for themselves. It isn't easy for mothers to let things be, and I am certain they won't be giving me the same gift. But one can dream.