CHILD-LIKE...

CHILD-LIKE...

Becoming child-like is both easy and difficult.  It's easy to become child-like when we behave with innocence and a heart full of gratitude. We become entrawled with living and loving and caring and giving.

Nothing is too big a sacrifice when we are able to act in a child-like manner, whereas when we are not child-like, we become suspicious and officious and full of regard for ourselves.  Our World rotates around ourselves and our likes and dislikes.

The Spirit of Christmas is built around a Child, born in a stable in Bethlehem, many years ago.  The baby's mother is a young woman, called Mary, who has been asked to bear a son and call Him Jesus.  They are accompanied by Joseph to whom Mary is betrothed.

This baby is the Christ, Jesus, who will save us and all the World from evil and the wicked designs of the devil. In a way, Jesus is born to save us from ourselves. We are good people, yet easily swayed to do evil and lead selfish and wicked lives.

How can we be saved?  What will protect us from evil influences and ways that will rob us of our innocence?  How can we become child-like? 

What seems impossible can be made possible when we learn about how much God loves us, giving His only Son to make reparation for our lack of love.

By reading the life of Christ and taking Him as our Mentor and Savior we can and will learn how to be innocent and Child-Like.  Just imagine, we are made in the Image and Likeness of God.  

We come into the World as a Child, and God willing we can leave this World with the innocence of a Child by our response to Love!

ENTERPRISE...

 The word ENTERPRISE can be daunting,  yet to reflect for a moment and apply the word to a person makes it real and easy to understand. For example, my brother has a carer who visits him most days. He is a retired teacher who spends most of his time reading and writing poetry - he lives alone.

His need for a carer came about when it was almost impossible to gain access to his house /his home, not just because of medical needs, but because of his attachment to books etc. Such a shame. He would say people don't call, yet difficulty for entry made it un-inviting, and a good reason for not visiting.

Then Noeleen came along, a good carer with respect and admiration for his ability to write poetry, and even patience to listen to him.  He welcomed her visits and began to take her advice, especially about decluttering.  Perhaps, some of his precious books could be donated to a Library?  Old clothes could be replaced, making it easier to accept invitations to go out when possible, to visit family.
When I paid a visit,  I was so surprised to find a chair to sit on, and a table with room for a cup and biscuit, as long as I was careful not to spill.

Wow!  Perhaps being enterprising is simply about finding the correct way to deal with situations that come our way!

GRATITUDE

For some, Gratitude is the key to sanity.  When one is aware of a need to be grateful, then virtue becomes more important than ego.

I find for myself, a humbling and peaceful awareness when I respond to a need for gratitude.  The opposite happens when I forget to be grateful and take things and people for granted.

Sometimes, children can show us how to become aware of our need to be a grateful person. Children are truly themselves, good and bold, whatever the occasion might be.  Awhile ago, my sister was chatting on the phone to her grandson. He was very young and pleased to chat with her.  'Nana, will you have a present for me when you come?'  My sister wanted to break the habit of always giving presents, so said no!  There was a moment of silence, then he said, 'I want to talk to my other nana!'

We can be like that at times.  We have friends whom we like to be with, yet if and when they might hurt us with a refusal of some kind, then we may want to be with another friend instead. However, if one is grateful for the very gift of friendship, then one will learn to respond with kindness and forgiveness, especially when the ego is hurt.

The practise of Gratitude is a wonderful Teacher to guide us in building up the gift of true friendships. 

POSITIVE VISION

 Having a Positive Vision of ourselves is a great therapy in being happy with who we are, regardless of certain faults and failings we might believe we have.

Certain situations and circumstances may reveal our shortcomings, and so we can forget the value of being human and vulnerable.  These are the very qualities that allow others to love us.

A Positive Vision teaches us to become compassionate towards others, and also to be compassionate in regard to ourselves too.  We learn to see the wonderful side of human nature, where love is welcomed and appreciated.

Perhaps Nature is a way of reaffirming this truth. The flowers bloom and add colour and beauty to our World, and yet they must fade away, leaving us with the austere beauty of winter.

So, one could say, a Positive Vision is essential if we are to develop as a loving person, able and willing to welcome love into our lives.

LIBERTY

LIBERTY

The word, LIBERTY may not be so easily used today, yet is so much a part of our history. Looking back on historic occasions, we hear the cry of Liberty!

Nowadays, Freedom is more commonly used, and we can be precious about our need and right to be free.  Of course, there will be times when even our sense of freedom will be misunderstood or even ignored. What can we do then, I wonder?

Perhaps, coming back to our regard for Liberty and an awareness of how precious and wonderful it is to be liberated, we can forget the importance of always having a high standard in our lives.

Liberty teaches us how to value the gift of life, and especially the knowledge that being liberated means having the freedom to love. 

Life is a wonderful gift to have and cherish and even more especially to garnish with a desire and energy for putting love into all we do. 

PEACE of MIND

PEACE of MIND...

To be at peace with oneself is a wonderful state of mind.  The World may seem to fall apart, yet Peace of Mind takes prominence, then all is well.

Awhile ago, I caught a bad cold, followed with a loss of appetite.  Immediately I thought of Covid and side effects related to it.  However, I tested negative which was a relief to me, living in community with others etc.

A doctor's visit prompted me to find reassurance that I was not 'on the way out' , just one of many with symptoms of influenza.  The best cure was found with hot drinks and plenty of rest, allowing the body to heal itself. 

This proved to be a wonderful lesson for me,  to realise the effect of stress when one worries instead of keeping the mind at peace.  I was reminded of a  special saint of old, Teresa of Avila, who had a great saying... 'This too will pass.  Peace of Mind prevails!'

ADVENTURE

A life of Adventure is always enjoyable.  It could be travelling to somewhere new, presenting us with the challenge of doing new things / new experiences, taking us away from the mundane happenings in our lives.

Or, it could be something simple, meeting an old friend/ playing a game of cards, or learning a new language or skill. Whatever is new to us will become an invitation, a chance to be adventurous. 

So many things can be presented to us, and if we have this spirit of adventure we will respond positively.  We may be afraid of failing, or not being able to do something, yet this is a chance to step forward, willing and able to become more than we are at present.  

Ignore whatever feelings of fear that may come to mind. We are being invited to become a better and more able person, so let's step up to the mark and embrace a life of adventure!