October 5, 2022
Thought for Today
"To be a hero, one must give an order to oneself."
Simone Weil,
Notebooks
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
October 4, 2022
Reflection
BLOG
I have a BLOG - short for Web Log.
It's given me a chance to gather some of my thoughts as well as the thoughts of others.
I started this on June 1st, 2007 and I've come up with 9,241 pieces so far.
However, there are times I lose the ability to get into my blog - to add new pieces - because of computer problems or work load.
My dream is that it will look like a piece per moment - and at least one item per day.
We'll see.
I've tried to put in poems, quotes, homilies and short essays.
It would be nice to put in some photos and pictures as well.
We'll see.
I can't sing - so that eliminates coming up with some original songs.
I can't draw or paint - so that eliminates that gift.
My nephew, my sister, my mom could draw - but sorry to say, they didn't do it enough.
Monday, October 3, 2022
October 3, 2022
Reflection
ROADS, RIVERS AND RAILROADS
Every once and a while, it's time to stop.
Every once and a while it's time to move.
Hit the road - sail the seas - get a ticket to go.
I often keep running into the question: "Is your main spiritual image that of the home or the road - the porch or the highway?"
I'll always be grateful for an old nun who asked us that question in a conference in the 1990's.
Just by asking that question - changed the way I was thinking - and I learned to relax and be at home more.
Okay, I can't dance. I can't sing. I can't do math that well, but I can sit and watch the show. I can celebrate all the work - that went into a piano concert - and a band marching up the street - or a football team playing the game down on the field.
Life is obviously both.
Life is obviously balance.
I think of St. Alphonsus' rule: Never waste a moment of time.
I think of St. Alphonsus's father saying, "Never enough, Fonsi. Never enough. More."
I think of St. Alphonsus - during the times he suffered with scrupulosity - always thinking, "I'm sinning. I'm doing wrong."
What would it be like to do a study - or write an article - trying to establish if Alphonsus moved to the center - when he got off the road - sat down with a glass of wine - and enjoyed the surrounding scenery.
I think of Thornton Wilder's comment about ice cream, "My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."
Is this what the Buddhists are calling for - in their message of mindfulness?
Is this feminist spirituality - the mother - the stay at home mother - stepping back - and enjoying her family - enjoying a meal together - the moment?
Step back Jack. Step back. Enjoy the trains - lower the anchor - enjoy the scenery.
Sunday, October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022
Reflection
THE HEAT OF THE DAY
It's July.
It's hot.
The air conditioners are on - everywhere.
Electric bills will be higher now that Maryland has stopped the so-called electrical or energy price controls.
There could also be a breakdown on the a grid brown-out or even a blackout.
Then we have to go outside.
It's July.
It's hot.
I don't like July or January - August of February - at least in Maryland.
I do like seasons - appreciating warm days in winter and cool days in summer.
Do people use their money to live in cool spots in summer - and warm spots in winter? Yes!
I've lived in Tobyhanna - in the Poconos - and it had tough winters and great summers.
I now live in a humid area - near the Chesapeake Bay.
Real estate prices tell us what land is considered valuable and what land isn't.
Where I am living now is valuable property: Annapolis, Maryland.
Jesus why didn't you come to us as a Navaho or an Eskimo or South American Native American?
People don't seem to know you as is.
God's People don't know you as is.
Yet, God, you are here, in this place - with every people - and Jesus - you are Navaho, Eskimo, Guarani and Brooklynese - and we don't either know you - or we kill you.
In the meanwhile - where you are - when you are - turn the air conditioner on or put another log in the fire.
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