KINDLY...

KINDLY...

Acting Kindly, taking into account the feelings and dificulties of others, can be heroic at times.  We may like to believe we are a kind person, caring for others and believing we are doing well.  

However, acting kindly is stepping into a state of heroic virtue, and may well show us up for the apparent unkind person we are. To know this is to be grounded in humility, or at least aiming towards being an honest person.

Our whole life guides us and moulds us into who we truly are, so no surprises when we find it difficut to act kindly at times.  Virtue does not come easily, especially the virtue of Humility. We are invited to become the best that we can be.

Acting kindly is taught and practised simply by knowing ourselves, and not being surprised at our failures.  A baby learns to walk by making the effort and tumbling down several times before the habit is solidified.

Saint Therese often spoke about being 'child-like' and this is a great practise to have through our whole lives.  We try, we fail and we try again.  Then we learn to know that failure is only postponed success.

We become a Champion in acting Kindly.

 that failure is j

JUSTICE...

 JUSTICE...

It seems a good thing to applaud JUSTICE, to have a just attitude to all we do and care about.  With so much happenings in the World today, people are crying out for Justice and well they might.

To have a just attitude to all we do and all we are interested in, takes both courage and awareness and knowledge.  A good shopper will look around for good and fair prices when buying food or clothes or a place to live. Nobody wants to be cheated, yet often the cheapest prices on goods may not be cheap.  The value and quality of the goods must come first.

The same applies to ourselves. We are invited to look for what is best for us,  not necessarily what is cheapest or easiest to get .  The value of our lives depends on the values we live by. If we are paid to do a job, yet fail to do it well, then we are at fault, we fail as a person.

The same applies to whatever values we live by.  Are we honest, reliable, caring in our relationships with others.  Do we value love above all else?  And do we truly love ourselves enough to set high standards in relation to who and what we are.

A loving person is to be valued above all else. This is true Justice.

 LOURDES...

Certain places in the World can move us to tears by their beauty and wonderful artistic buildings. At first, that was my reaction when I visited the magical place called LOURDES.  

At one time it was just a small village, poor yet rich in natural beauty, being surrounded by the Pyranees.  I was impressed by my visit, yet a part of me felt uneasy.  Has it just become a Tourist place, with plenty of Liturgical goings on? Impressive, yet the surrounding nature seem to attract me more...

Then, I discovered where the magic could be found... the Stations of the Cross, beautifully carved out of blocks of stone, depicting the sorrowful and terrible sufferings of the Passion of Christ.

The figures portrayed seem to come to life, with expressions of sorrow and compassion, depicting Veronica touching the Face of Christ, her hand gently brushing his wounded cheek.

And, when Mary, His mother met her Son, somehow, I was not looking at figures carved out of stone, but a mother and Son embracing each other with such deep sorrow and tremendous Love.  

IGNITE...

 IGNITE...  set fire to...

Whenever we are inspired and moved to be creative and loving, we become like a fire that can and will spread, so easily, so readily.  

We become ignited with a love that can and will transform us into our true selves. It will become a way of life that forces us to love and learn and become Godlike.

Whatever it is that sparks of this fire within us, it will not leave us alone until we respond to the special grace we are receiving. We become like a messenger who must deliver the news that is burning within.  We are restless until we obey the call of God.

At times we may not even be fully aware of how powerful it is, to become ignited with the love and grace of God. Spend time quietly and allow the truth of what is happening within us, to unfold.  Are we being called to live a special life?

Are we being inspired to become a leader of others, and God knows how much the World needs good leaders / good people who are inspired to give ALL.

When moved by grace, allow it to happen. Accept as a natural progression of how wonderful it is to be alive.  Let our hearts be ignited with Love!

HUMOUR...

 HUMOUR...

    A sense of humour can defuse a bad situation, allowing people to keep a sense of pride in who they are and what they do.

    Years ago, Bishop Fulton Sheen was a great speaker on TV.  His talks had depth, yet alway began with humour... 

   He said, one day a mother was removing her crying child from the audience who had come to hear him speak...  'Dear lady, no need to remove your child.  The crying doesn't bother me...'  The mother replied,  'It's your voice that bothers the child.'   In this way, with humour, he allowed the audience to laugh at him and with him.. 

    Humour and humility could well be linked together.  By using a sense of the rediculous we give freedom to others to laugh at us, more especially to laugh with us!.

    The ability to be light-hearted and not too serious in our endeavours, allows others, not to be afraid, and listen to what  we have to say,  This humble attitude  gives power to our words and actions, and can build friendships.

    With good humour we can conquer the World!

HONESTY...

 HONESTY...

The best form of Honesty is with ourselves, and a good question to ask ourselves... 

Am I an honest person?  Does my lifestyle and behavour denote the truth of just how honest I am?

Simple questions, yet perhaps with not so simple answers, because we are imperfect people, and often do not meet the standard of an honest person...

Next good question...  Why?  Why do I fail to be honest, especially with myself, and just how honest am I in relation to others?  IF only the answers came as easily as the questions do.

Take myself for an example...  a good Christian person, with a desire and love for attending Church, and a good team-player too. So, where does dishonesty come into my life?

I'm not a thief, and I have no desire for a lot of Worldly pleasures and gifts, so just where does being dishonest come into the picture?

Perhaps I  ought to be asking others who see me more clearly than I see myself. Still, in the deeper parts of one's being, there is a prompting that takes place, quietly and honestly, no matter how many excuses we make for our failures.

This prompting comes to us through the Holy Spirit because of our attempts at being honest.  Nothing is wasted where God is concerned.  HE sees ALL / and HE knows ALL, down to the minutest detail in our lives.

Imagine that. Nothing is hidden from the Mind of God, and the more we become God -like, the easier it will be for us to see the working's of the Holy Spirit.  

The Gift of Honesty will be mine!

GOOD WILL...

 GOOD WILL...

Beginnings are everything. As soon as we begin, the creative juices will open up and we can surprise ourselves with the hidden gems of artistic talent.

So, how do we make a good beginning?  

First and foremost, Good Will.  When one is able to muster up a start, then one has already begun to foster the good will to follow the inspiration that has entered our heart.

Having good will to put all negative thoughts to one side and open up our hearts to that wonderful inner voice which prompts us to write down whatever thoughts come, places us on the road to creative success.

I had such hopes of writing a new story, one that would move me to renew my creative ability to write, yet  I seem to lose my way, distracted so easily by 'other ideas and thoughts'...  What to do...

I asked myself... Have I the Good Will to be faithful to my writing talent?  The answer was immediate, Yes, of course...  Next question, Have you time to write? After a little while, I confessed, Yes!

No more playing around with useless thoughts and worries.  Now is the time to show my Good Will, and write.

This simple act of honesty with myself has worked wonders.  I am a writer again!