Here’s something I felt gratitude toward the author–my husband–for having written and wanted to share it with you in hopes that you will also find it worth pondering.
http://aquinasetc.com/2015/03/25/bloom-where-you-are-planted/
Enjoy!
Thoughtful Thursdays
26 Mar 2015 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Contentment, Detachment, Encouragement, J.R.R. Tolkien, Present Moment, Reblogged
Too Much Tuesdays
24 Mar 2015 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Alms, Decluttering, Donations, Lent
Today I’d like to bring up the reminder that we can often end up, for a variety of reasons, with too many material possessions. This may not be a problem for you but for the majority of Americans it is. (Hence the booming storage unit business, professional organizers/declutterers, and books on organizing/decluttering). Many of us wear 20% of the clothes we own 80% of the time, keep things that are broken that may or may not be fixable, find parting with objects we no longer need but paid a lot for almost impossible, (not to mention the items we feel we’d get in trouble for if the giver knew we parted with it), and the list just goes on. As I work on my decluttering–due to my lifelong difficulty with either getting rid of things or just procrastinating on making the decisions involved in doing so–I’ve learned something valuable. If you focus on how letting go of this excess stuff will be a blessing to someone else then it becomes a form of alms-giving. So, consider giving some of your excess away and be a blessing to someone else this Lent (and year round!). Prayerfully think of what others’ needs are, keep what you truly love/need, and then be as generous as you possibly can.
There are all kinds of places that will accept your donations; some will even come to you. There are your traditional thrift stores–some of whom will come to you–as well as freecycle.org, craigslist.org, etc. Even specialty items can be of great help, particularly with new or gently used ones: off the top of my head crisis pregnancy centers accept a variety of items to help those in need prepare for a child they hadn’t planned on having. And last but not least, what about cleaning out your cabinets and making a donation to your local food pantry? Also, some schools have a weekend backpack program where you assist in providing various items to help kids who don’t have enough to eat at home (although some prefer monetary donations only in order to finance their buying quality food in bulk).
Whatever the case, we don’t have to keep living with Too Much Stuff. There are so many out there who lack the basics and/or could use some of your non-used or less-liked items to provide for them. Don’t donate worn out stuff; be picky. If you wouldn’t wear/use it, trash it. But if it’s taking up space that you could use for other things–or that glorious breathing space that so many homes lack these days–send it packing and let someone else know that Someone is looking out for their needs and wants just like you know He is yours.
Easter is on its way!
Monday Musings
23 Mar 2015 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Christianity, Prayer, Present Moment
For those of you not familiar with it, here’s the complete text of The Serenity Prayer. As great as the short one is I think this longer version nails it!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Monday Musings
16 Mar 2015 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Inspiration, Liturgical Year, Present Moment
Today I return to blogging after having one of the many versions of late winter illnesses that are going around. Mine wasn’t particularly horrible–just a cold that quickly went into my chest and kept me feverish and not sleeping nights for longer than I wanted. But in the end–although I’m still hacking–it was just a simple cold and once the fever subsided I had to keep marching on with life again. This reminds me of an old post that I’d like to share again, as it was good for me to reread today for multiple reasons, not the least of which is that we’re marching on toward Easter Sunday as we continue in our Lenten journey. I hope it will be encouraging to you as well.
Monday Musings
02 Mar 2015 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Birthdays, Celebrations, Family, Perfectionism, Present Moment
“Nothing will ever be completely done.” – Anonymous
For those who don’t know, I’m a seriously uptight chick (and recovering perfectionist!) and definitely a work in progress by the grace of God. However, I think if I’d heard that quote or realized its truth before I was middle-aged things might have gone a lot smoother over the last decade in particular. I’m glad I was a young mom in my 30s as that was an awesome decade for me personally. I believe that’s because I was more able to live in the Present Moment with my husband and our son as we had so much rejoicing to do, as we had to wait seven years before he showed up.
The longer you have to wait for something you desperately want, then it is all the more precious when you finally receive it. Then, whoosh, time flies by and you can’t believe your son will be leaving home sooner rather than later. I’m reminded of that today in particular as a dear family friend turns 18 today and is quite the fine young adult himself (and I’m not just saying that because I love his mom so much!). So enjoy living in the present, remembering the past’s fond memories (like meeting this young man shortly after his birth), and looking forward to seeing what blessings the future holds for him. Happy Birthday, Justin!
“God is always good, and we are in His hands.” – James Jarrett
Too Much Tuesday
24 Feb 2015 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Depression, Inspiration, Mood Disorders
Some days there is just too much coming at you. All you can do is put one foot in front of the other and do the next thing, and then, as soon as you get the chance, be kind to yourself and take a breather. I know this works because I’ve had to do this many days in my life. Today was another one of them. And yet the frustration is still there with myself, that things have to be so hard. But a very wise friend told me tonight that she found that it was usually from trying to do too much all at once and by just focusing on doing on small thing—a baby step, if you will—at a time, then taking breaks as necessary has worked out much better for her. I really needed to hear that—and I hope some of you will have as well.
Works of Art
28 Jan 2015 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Art, Scripture
While praying this morning, I included–per usual–a Scripture that I’ve claimed for myself for over a decade during my daily devotions; however, not just on my behalf but also for my oldest nephew, then my own son, and later my youngest nephew, as a special aunt/mom blessing to pray over them. I had it memorized in the NKJV or KJV (can’t remember which, the latter being the translation of my childhood when I learned to love memorizing Scripture—thanks, Mom & Da’!). This morning I looked it up in a Christmas gift from my folks, (thanks again!), The New Jerusalem Bible—as I’ve been primarily using JB and RSV-CE translations for over a decade now and loving them, as well as several others. (After all, I’ve got a “shiny thing” brain & have been nicknamed “The Information Station” by my husband so I like to have lots of options when it comes to what God has told us since I don’t read Hebrew or Greek, like some people I know).
But, as Adrian Monk would say, “Here’s the thing.”
“We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life.”
Ep 2:10 NJB
Did you see that? I’m a work of art! What’s more, so are you (if you are baptized; if you’re not, see your nearest priest or pastor if you’re ready to repent and renounce your former way of life)! So, let’s get on with living the Good News that Christ died for our sins and we are no longer a slave to them; we are “works of art” and should be getting on with our way—His way—of life, the Abundant Life. It’s not easy—He never said it would be (instead, to the contrary), but He promised that in the end all would be made right and we’d enjoy eternity with Him, which is the best motivation I’ve got for getting out of bed each morning.
And now that I know I’m a work of art, I’m even more motivated to get those things done on my To Do list (as well as the ones that will just pop up as part of His way of life for me today)…but first I’ll have just a little more caffeine<g>.
Monday Musing
12 Jan 2015 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Irish, Ordinary Time, Poetry, W.B. Yeats
As this is the first day of the first week in Ordinary Time, I wanted to celebrate with something that reflects some Splendor of the Ordinary (HT to Thomas Howard’s book by the same title). So I’m sharing a favorite poem that reflects my sentiments on this matter on this dreary, damp and cold day–which cheers me up, as any good Irish poet will.
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
William B. Yeats
P.S. And yes, I do love “The Quiet Man” with its wee humble cottage!
“On the Twelfth Day of Christmas…”
05 Jan 2015 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: A Simple Life, Christmas, Family
“My true love gave to me:
Decluttering help,
Help with household messes,
Shared special movie,
More help with my stuff,
Helped find my laptop,
Fended for his supper,
One Post-It love note,
Huge favor done!
POI* bingeing,
11 hours’ sleep,
dishwasher loaded,
and my own blog domain name.”
Be You Very Well 