People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

~Mother Teresa~

Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.

~ Pope John Paul II, WYD 2002 sermon

In the bleak midwinter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow

Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter,

Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign;

In the bleak midwinter

A stable place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,

Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom Cherubim

Worship night and day

A breastful of milk

And a manger full of hay.

Enough for Him whom angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

Which adore.

Angels and Archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and Seraphim

Thronged the air;

But only His mother,

In her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him --

Give my heart.

~ Christina Rossetti ~

Living in true beauty can require much waiting, much time, much tenacity of spirit. We must constantly direct our gazes toward the face of God, even in the presence of longing and sorrow. It is in the waiting that our hearts are enlarged. The waiting does not diminish us. As a pregnant woman is enlarged in her waiting, so are our hearts. God does not always rescue us out of a painful season. You know that he does not always give to us what we so desperately want when we want it. He is after something much more valuable than our happiness. Much more substantive than our health. He is restoring and growing in us an eternal weight of glory. And sometimes. . . it hurts.

~Stasi Eldredge

from Captivating

Reflections on Love....

"What the Grace gives is the full recognition, the sensible awareness, the complete acceptance --even, with certain reservations, the glad acceptance--of this Need[-Love of God]."

"Grace subsitutes a full, childlike and delighted acceptance of our Need, a joy in total dependence."

******************

"We are all receiving Charity. There is something in each of us that cannot be naturally loved. It is no one's fault if they do not so love it. Only the lovable can be naturally loved. You might as well ask people to like the taste of rotten bread or the sound of a mechanical drill. We can be forgiven, and pitied, and loved in spite of it, with Charity; no other way. All who have good parents, wives, husbands, or children, may be sure that at some times--and perhaps at all times in respect of some one particular trait or habit--they are receiving Charity, are loved not because they are lovable but because Love Himself is in those who love them."

"Only those into which Love Himself has entered will ascend to Love Himself. And these can be raised with Him only if they have, in some degree and fashion, shared His death; if the natural element in them has submitted--year after year, or in some sudden agony--to transmutation."

~C.S. Lewis

Fine Weavings

The Plan of the Master Weaver

Our lives are but fine weavings

That God and we prepare,

Each life becomes a fabric planned

And fashioned in His care.

We may not always see just how

The weavings intertwine,

But we must trust the Master's hand

And follow his design.

For He can view the pattern

Upon the upper side,

While we must look from underneath

And trust in Him to guide....

Sometimes a strand of sorrow

Is added to His plan,

And though it's difficult for us,

We still must understand

That it's He who fills the shuttle,

It's He who knows what's best,

So we must weave in patience

And leave to Him the rest....

Not til the loom is silent

And the shuttle ceases to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why--

The dark threads are as needed

in the Weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

Paradox of Love

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, no even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket -- safe, dark, motionless, airless -- it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only safe place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.
I believe that the most lawless and inordinate loves are less contrary to God's will than a self-invited and self-protective lovelessness. It is like hiding the talent in a napkin and for much the same reason "I knew thee that thou wert a hard man." Christ did not teach and suffer that we might become, even in the natural loves, more careful of our own happiness. If a man is not uncalculating towards the earthly beloveds whom he has seen, he is none the more likely to be so towards God whom he has not. We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armour. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it.

~C. S. Lewis

It is one of the difficult and delightful subtleties of life that we must deeply acknowledge certain things to be serious and yet retain the power and will to treat them often as lightly as a game.

~C.S. Lewis

After Apple Picking

"After Apple Picking"

My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree

Towards heaven still,

And there's a barrel that I didn't fill

Beside it, and there may be two or three

Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.

But I am done with apple picking now.

Essence of winter sleep is on the night,

The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.

~ Robert Frost ~

'To Autumn'

"To Autumn"

Seasons of mist and fellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

~John Keats~

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

~Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

Fearless

Thank you, Nicole, for your inspirational words which led to this post. It is so good to be reminded where we can find our strength in the process of recovery.

Fearless is learning to let go of the pain.

Fearless is no longer allowing someone to use you as their emotional dumping ground.

Fearless is not allowing someone's hurtful words to influence the way you look at yourself.

Fearless is finding a place to forgive without the possibility of reconciliation.

Fearless is moving on without understanding...as difficult as that is.

Fearless is letting go of your mistakes.

Fearless is quitting placing the blame on yourself.

Fearless is not allowing the past to dictate your future.

Fearless is pushing on to bigger and better opportunities.

Fearless is allowing yourself the potential to love and be loved again.

Being fearless requires tough love. It is not selfish to love yourself first...you can't give what you don't have.

Fearless is standing up for yourself.

Fearless is dreaming once again of a bright future, relinquishing your hold on those dead, empty dreams or reconfiguring them into living ones.

It is burning those pieces that remind you of what you lost; it is allowing yourself to create and store up new memories.

Fearless is not allowing that sense of abandonment to leave you paralyzed. You are surrounded by beautiful people who give you a sense of security. Don't let one person's actions destroy your hope and trust in humanity.

And never forget....God is always with you; He will never leave you. Cling to Him in those moments of loneliness.

Fearless is discovering a place where you can trust again....

Fearless is giving all to God without reserve.

Yes, LOVE IS FEARLESS.

Forgiveness

Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.

~Sarah Paddison

We achieve inner health only through forgiveness - the forgiveness not only of others but also of ourselves.

~Joshua Loth Liebman

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.

~Paul Boese

Just Dance....

Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself; I mean don't be disturbed about your imperfections, and always have the courage to pick yourself up after a fall. I'm very glad to hear that you make a fresh start each day.

There is no better way of growing toward perfection in the spiritual life than to be always starting over again and never thinking we have done enough. But most important, don't lose heart, be patient, wait, do all you can to develop a spirit of compassion.

I have no doubt that God is holding you by the hand; if he allows you to stumble, it is only to let you know that if he were not holding your hand, you would fall. This is how he gets you to take tighter hold of his hand.

~St. Francis de Sales

Mater Dolorosa

Deus, in cujus passione, secundum Simeonis prophetiam, dulcissimam animam gloriosae Virginis et Matris Mariae doloris gladius pertransivit : concede propitius; ut qui dolores ejus venerando recolimus, passionis tuae effectum felicem consequamur.

"Every breath is an opportunity to receive and let go. I receive love and let go of pain."

~Unknown

Exercise

Okie dokie. I've officially decided I'm old and need to get back into shape. I played a long, rousing game of capture-the-flag with some friends at the park over the weekend, which turned into more like a game of football. I'm SO sore, from head to toe. I'm not exactly sure what sort of crazy movements I made and such but my hamstrings, shoulders, Achilles, and stomach muscles are all screaming at me.

But. It inspired me to get out and stretch my muscles in a long run last night. And I'm inspired to continue the trend. Motivation comes in the strangest places.

Right here, right now...

I'm right where I need to be -- it's not the best place I've ever been -- but I know He's leading me along. I'm learning again to live in the present moment, embracing all the experiences of people, places, and things as they come. Life is not easy, but I think it is better viewed as a game to be played than a battle to be won. If you fall down the chute, you can always climb up the next ladder that may take you to a higher place than you resided before. It doesn't always make sense....but maybe it's not supposed to.

Life's dim window of the soul distorts the heavens from pole to pole, and leads you to believe a lie, when you see with, not through, the eye.

~ William Blake

"There is no use in trying,"

said Alice; "one can't

believe in impossible things."

"I dare say you haven't had

much practice," said the

Queen. "When I was your age,

I always did it for half an

hour a day. Why, sometimes

I've believed as many as six

impossible things before breakfast."

~ Lewis Carroll

Vacation

Vacation starts on Monday. (!!!!)

I'm headed to Fort Bragg for the week with my entire family. I'm looking forward to spending time with everyone; we haven't had a vacation together in years.
I'm so happy they chose the beach this year. As much as I love the mountains, nothing beats the serenity induced by the calming sea waves. I just let all my restless thoughts go and bask in the beauty before me.

Breakfast

I never skip breakfast. I truly believe it is the most important meal of the day. I will wake up early just so I can spend some time savoring the morning, sipping tea and munching my scone. It gives me time to reflect and welcome the day afresh before the rush begins.

Sometimes I get rather caught up in the moment of it....and I'm late!

"There are things we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world, it's the beginning of a new life."

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life waiting for us."

~ Joseph Campell

To Providence resign the rest....

"No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when one looks directly into someone's eyes."

~Paul Coelho

You knew all along....

Your boat -- your talents, your hopes, your achievements -- is worth nothing whatsoever, unless you leave it in Christ's hands, allowing him the freedom to come aboard. Make sure you don't turn it into an idol. In your boat by yourself, if you try to do without the Master, you are -- supernaturally speaking -- making straight for shipwreck. Only if you allow, and seek, his presence and captaincy, will you be safe from the storms and setbacks of life. Place everything in God's hands. Let your thoughts, the brave adventures you have imagined, your lofty human ambitions, your noble loves, pass through the heart of Christ. Otherwise, sooner or later, they will all sink to the bottom together with your selfishness.

~ St. Josemaria Escriva "Friends of God"

What is Your Passion?

Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.

~ Frederick Smith

Sir Laugh-a-Lot

" Your mother was a newt and your father smelt of elderberries."

Random, yes?

Just one of many memorable lines from this uproariously hilarious musical I had the privilege of viewing last weekend.

Based largely upon the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail tells the tale of King Arthur and his knights desparately in pursuit of the holy grail per request of the Almighty. But not in the typical fashion of the Romantics. This is all too human. We get a first-hand look at the less-than-perfect qualities of those valiant knights in shining armor (who apparently love to dance).

The show I saw was performed in a round theatre, shaped in the manner of a circus tent (actually, I remember when the Music Circus was in a circus tent...particularly those 100 degree days!). The actors made their grand entrances down the aisles, utilizing them as the stage at certain points as well. Makes you feel like you're part of the show....!

One of the best scenes is when King Arthur arrives at the castle of the French in pursuit of the grail. Commencing with the catapult of the vache onto the head of the innocent bagboy, the repartee between the king and the French soldier had us practically rolling in the aisle. A sure reminder of the centuries-old, stereotypical dislike of the French for the English and vice versa. Oh and did I mention the failed attempt at a Trojan rabbit?

Ah, that good, ol' dry British humor. A bit irreverent at times but how they do love their puns. Don't worry; this show is chock full of them.

Don't want to spoil the show for you, but there is a bit of audience participation towards the end. Fair warning.

Trust

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life. Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.


Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same understanding Father who cares for you will take care of you then and every day.


He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

~ St. Francis de Sales

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

~ Matthew 6: 25-34

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.

~ John F. Kennedy

Sunrise Row

A superb way to greet the day

For the passionate....

"Strong passions are the precious raw material of sanctity. Individuals who have carried their sinning to extremes should not despair or say, 'I am too great a sinner to change,' or 'God would not want me.' God will take anyone who is willing to love, not with an occasional gesture, but with a 'passionless passion,' a 'wild tranquillity.' A sinner, unrepentant, cannot love God anymore than a man on dry land can swim; but as soon as he takes his errant energies to God and asks for their redirection, he will become happy, as he never was happy before."

from Peace of Soul by Fulton Sheen

le quatorze juillet

The parades are underway in France on this Bastille Day commemorating the 221st anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. I don't always agree with the politics or methods of the French, but I do appreciate much of their culture and sense of festivity.

One of my favorite Monet paintings, it conveys well their national pride and vivacity.

Bonne fete de nationale, mes amis francais!

Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. You have to know that you are a good person and a good friend. What is meant to be will end up good and what isn't, won't. Relationships are worth fighting for, but sometimes you can't be the only one fighting. At times, people need to fight for you. If they don't, you must just move on and realize that what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you. Hopefully, people realize great things when they come around and don't lose something real. Always fight until you can't anymore, and then be fought for....

Hope

Trust always in your God. He does not lose battles. The Way #733

Snow Day

There was only one day in my college career that I played hookie. It should've been a snow day, so we made it one.

There was snow -- glorious snow! -- covering all the hillsides around northern Virginia. My roommate and I grabbed another close friend as he attempted to make his way to class. It didn't take much to convince him of the better way to spend his afternoon. We threw an abandoned sled to borrow in the back of the car. Driving over to the steepest hillside we could find -- fresh without any prior tracks -- we spent hours slipping and sliding til the sun was fading behind the hills.

I'm a serious student. I never miss classes. Nevertheless, there are some experiences in life that are more enriching than textbook lessons.....