Monday, June 29, 2015

The Gentle Art of Loving...


The Gentle Art of Loving teaches us how to be happy and content with who we are.
We live in an exciting and complex world where we are invited to love above all else.
The challenge is always there to choose to be a lover / a giver / a carer.
We may not always succeed and yet we can always try.
Mistakes will be made as we are human and prone to fail at times. No worries.
There is no greater strength in this world than LOVE.
Apply the gentle art of loving to all we do and say and are.
We will transform this wonderful world of ours and ourselves too.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Bantry Bay...

My friends and I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Bantry Bay.
We stayed in a camper at Eagle Point, Ballylicky, one of the best camping sites in west Cork with excellent facilities and enjoyed every minute of our short break.  
Ignoring the weather, we went swimming most mornings, encouraged by the fact that we had a hot shower waiting for us and a hot cuppa too!
.We opted for fun rather than waiting around for sunshine, which comes and goes at leisure.
Camping is a way of life for a lot of people with a love for being outdoors.  Sometimes a little hardship offers us a sense of freedom to step away from the normal way of life where clocks dictate what we ought to do and be etc.
A trip to Bantry town is like going to meet new friends and have a ball!
The town is tourist friendly and so there is always a willingness to provide information and opportunities to relax and enjoy oneself.
St. Finbar's Church is a delight to visit and admire the wonderful stained-glass windows of our Celtic saints. Church services are available daily.
Bantry House is a trip into the past, revealing the history of life when once a residence of nobility.
The gardens are wonderfully maintained and a trip through the rose garden fills the senses with delicate perfume.
We enjoyed having a cuppa in the Tea room, filled with thoughts of Agatha Christie stories as our  imagination filled in the mysteries.
Another special treat was morning coffee and scones in Seaview Manor House where we were received like royalty.
Ah, Bantry is a great place, blessed with wonderful scenery and people.




ple.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Family Spirit

I visited my brother Liam,  yesterday and we had the opportunity (almost a miracle) to say hello to my sister Mairead, who is a missionary sister in Pakistan.
It was as if she was in the room with us. I was almost beside myself with delight and we chatted and she sends her love to all and asks for prayers for all the poor people who need help.
Afterwards, I found myself thinking of her and where she lives and how different our lives are.
Her main concern is to be able to help the poor and to love God's Will.
I wonder if doing God's Will is foremost in my life.  So easy to be distracted by the world we live in.
Yet I find encouragement in reading the life of St. Therese, the little flower.
All that we do can be an act of love.  It's our intention that God looks at with kindness and compassion.
Perhaps we are all called to have a family spirit and a willingness to see those we live with and those we know as our extended family. This way we will be moved by love towards everybody. 


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

SPACE INSIDE

Last night we had the SPACE INSIDE Arts Evening where local talents are invited to share their creative gifts with others. Being June and the last night of the season, it was held on the roof of the Wicklow Sailing Club.
It was a beautiful evening of sunshine and wonderful setting when the sun went down and filled the sky with golden rays behind the clouds.
Next time we'll add a heater to compensate for the loss of sun at evening's end.
It was a magical evening, filled with creative minds adding their talents of poetry and music which was enjoyed by all present.
One can imagine our Creator being pleased by this share of talents from old and young.
In a way, it's only when we share our gifts that they have a chance to develop and shine.
A grateful thanks to all who took part and also those who added their encouragement by coming to listen to the music and poetry..
We now look forward to October and the next round of the SPACE INSIDE ARTS CLUB.


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Monday, June 8, 2015

A Fresh start...

Each day we have the opportunity to start fresh and make a good effort to be a better and hopefully wiser person.
We know ourselves to a certain extent, and yet, do we?
Can we truly say that we are the 'master of our ship'?
Self knowledge comes at a price; our willingness to be an honest person.
To make a fresh start means a willingness to get rid of all and everything that holds us back from being true to ourselves and others.
A fresh start begins with spending time each day, even a few minutes, reflecting on who we are and why we are who we are.
Let's do it.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

The BIG brother!

Perhaps his size helped us to realise that he was the big brother.
You didn't mess with him, that's for sure.
Then when daddy died he became the Biggest brother, the MAN of the house.
We needed him and he was always there for us, maybe not always the way we liked it, yet he became our ROCK and we learned to be happy again and manage life.
Mammy appreciated him being around for her and for us. She was hurting, missing the man of her life, so it was good to have another man to step in and keep the family on track.
We managed well and we are most grateful for our BIG brother LIAM, God bless him always.