The Gift of Life

Whenever we have challenges and perhaps pain, it can be a good time to take time out, reflect and value the gift of life.

We may not be able to always do what we desire / to follow our dreams, or even be honest enough to know what our real dreams are, yet we can always appreciate this wonderful gift of life.

We can look up at the stars at night / the sunshine in the morning time, or even rain.

A moment spent looking at a flower and admiring its beauty and colour and scent...

A walk along the pier and watch the strength of the sea and the splash of the waves... 

Meeting a friend / saying hello / enjoying a cup of tea / having a relaxing moment...

Most of our lives are created around little things / moments of enjoyment that help us to appreciate and value the gift of life.  Treasure it!

Passing on...

Just got word that a good friend's mother has died. May she rest in peace.

I sent my condolences via email, yet realised that there are so few words available to express sympathy.

The loss we feel when someone we love passes on is personal and private.

Each person has their way of grieving and it's so important to grieve and allow our soul to express the loss we feel inside.

This could be a good time to send blessings and pray that those who suffer loss will be supported by grace, and a circle of good friends too.

ENCOURAGEMENT

The word encouragement is what I want to write about and yet, the word discouragement keeps floating about in my head.

There is a dual link to these words, which are only words.  

The reality of how we feel is what leads us towards encouragement, or not.

I 'feel' good, therefore I am good...

I 'feel' bad, therefore I am bad..?

Feelings change as quickly as the weather in Ireland; sometimes, four seasons in one day.

Christ says, 'The Truth will set us free...'

The truth is found in how we want to be.  God focuses on our good-will.

This is the best way to encourage ourselves, and others.

Focus on the good-will we have.  Mistakes will be made. Regrets will come, yet encouragement will follow if and when we are honest about ourselves.

Nobody wants to be discouraged.  We all want to be happy and live a life filled with joy.

The answer lies in our good-will which allows God to step in and help us.

Encouragement comes easily when we know we have a helping hand, always.

HEALTHY LIFE

We have so much encouragement nowadays as regards living a healthy life.  The secret is to avail of the knowledge that comes our way, and what is most important, put it into practise.

I know there are good fats and bad fats etc.  Keeping a good check on my cholesterol  is of the utmost importance too.

So, we have knowledge, yet we also have appetites for tasty morsels of a sugary content...

Perhaps the best solution is to come to a happy compromise with ourselves.

Healthy food is essential to have a healthy mind and body.

Tasty morsels are treats for celebrating special occasions.

If we can be faithful to this, then we will have a healthy life.

Just a caution, however, how we think / our approach to life is of the utmost importance.

When I am positive in my approach to life, then ALL of me works towards keeping me healthy,

mind/body/spirit.

They say, a spiritually-minded person will find it easy to live a healthy life.

Lady's Day

Today, 15th August 2014 is the day we celebrate the Assumption of our Lady into Heaven.
A day when Mary left this earth to join her beloved Son.
Only a mother's heart can understand this blessed re-union of Mother and Son.
what is even more wonderful for us is the reality that Mary is our Mother too.
A little reflection today will help us to realise how powerful a gift this is, to have Mary as a caring
and loving person who wants to guide and help us on our journey through life.
How blessed we are.

Be kind...

Each day brings opportunities to practise our faith, our belief in the goodness of God.
'Love one another, as I have loved you'
Christ's message speaks volumes...
Do I?  Can I love to such an extent?
However I fail / fall short of such love, I can practise kindness.
Be kind...

Making room for God...

Making room for God in our lives is an important step towards living a healthy and happy life,
You could even say that our sanity depends on how much room we afford to our Creator and Lord.
It makes sense that we learn to give time to our belief that God is as a loving Father who cares for each one of us.
The more positive we are towards the truth that God loves us, the happier we become.
We then know that we are never alone.
We have a Powerful Protector who has promised to be with us, always.

Cork Retreat Getaway 2014

Today is preparation and packing day so Michaela and I can set off early on our journey to west Cork.  It's a long journey and please God, a pleasant one.
With my wrist out of action, all of the driving will be in Michaela's good hands.
I look forward to the challenge and the enjoyment of this wonderful Retreat, especially Douce Mountain Farm.
It will be a pleasure to meet up with Gerd and Renata and our fellow retreatants.
My love is with the Creative writing and will also enjoy Positive psychology sessions.
It's always a good thing to be challenged and I pray for the grace to play my part well.
Forward and upward!

PROGRESS

To make progress in what we do / whatever it is we have a passion for, takes patience and above all the ability to focus on what we want to achieve.

When we read the lives of the saints we can see just how focused they were on loving God.

No obstacle was too great; they willingly gave all that they had in the effort to prove their love for God and to respond to His love for them.

For some it meant sacrificing their lives.  This was done with a willing heart.

Most of us may not be asked to die for what we believe in, yet we are asked to give whole-heartedly to the call of grace.

Progress follows when we start again, each day and respond to God's love for us.