GIFT of FAITH

We live in a strange world where almost anything is possible.

If we have an interest in history / writing / painting, whatever it might be, the information to learn about it is at our finger-tips.

Perhaps, what is most important is the knowledge of learning about ourselves / who we are and what is our purpose is life?

As a Christian and practising Catholic I believe our purpose is to know and love God,  Even more so, to know and realise how much God loves us.

The whole life of Christ is such a mystery and yet, for those who have Faith,  it is an invitation to respond and build a relationship with God.

How could we not love Him who loves us?

The gift of Faith is not handed on to everybody and yet, each one of us can find enough knowledge and reasoning in this amazing world of ours to help us to know and to love God.

It is an open invitation, 'seek and you will find..'

OPHELIA

Such a nice, stylish name and she certainly was that.

She came to visit us on Sunday 15th October 2017 and we will never forget her.

My mind was on other, more creative endeavours at the time so I paid little mind to her until I received the phone calls...

'She's on her way, so you better take care. Do not let her intrude on your home and life...'

Of course, she did make her presence felt in rather a big, rough way.  Then, I began to take notice. 

It was time to find out exactly who she was and why she was coming to Ireland from God knows where...

'RED ALERT / RED ALERT!  Warnings came rushing in as did the hurricane force of her impact on our beautiful, wild atlantic coast.  If that wasn't bad enough, she decided to take on the whole country itself. 

Such boldness and total disregard for us not wanting her to come visiting, at all.

 Good advice was given...  Be prepared for her visit, then as best you can, stay home and ignore her brash and rash behaviour.

She'll get tired of being unwanted and go off with herself, hopefully not to trouble someone else.

Goodbye Ophelia and good riddance!

INSPIRATION

To be inspired is the yearning and dream of all creative people.

Is it a special feeling or atmosphere that we step into and so inspiration follows?

Perhaps where we are and how we feel does play a part to how much we are inspired and yet,

I believe true inspiration comes from deep within, the state of our soul.

When I am true to myself and open and willing to allow the real me to be seen, without guile or pretence, then I believe I am in a state of grace and inspiration will follow suit.

Whatever artistic talent we pursue, writing / painting / cooking etc. there is a need to be honest about the efforts we make to allow our talent to grow.

As a writer, do I write each day?  Special time or place?

As a painter, am I mindful of the beauty that surrounds our lovely planet and the people within.

As a cook / chef,  am I scrupulous about the ingredients I use?

Inspirations flow like a river, yet can only be caught by the diligent fisher!

A Creative Mind...

Having a Creative mind is natural for us.

Just look at children at play and how they use their creative mind to imagine all kinds of things.

A chair can become a truck or a train / a table becomes a house or tent / a large box becomes a hiding place, all depending on how they play in the present moment.

Perhaps as we grew older, yet not necessarily wiser, we can forget the value of creativity, so a simple and easy way to open up the creative mind is to take pen to paper and write down the thoughts that come to us in this given present moment.

No need to ponder or spend time using methods to express our thoughts, simply write them down.

If possible, find a quiet place / a quiet time.

Give our active mind a rest.  Have fun and simply write!

Be healthy / wealthy / wise...

In a world of plenty, we can find ourselves wanting more and more.

Strange...  when we believe ourselves to be poor, we can actually find it easier to be happy.

Perhaps it's all to do with our value system.

If having a big house and beautiful car is regarded as the best one can have, then it's possible we are looking for our happiness in the wrong place.

To be healthy and willing to look after our body is a form of wealth.

No money in the world can compensate for ill health.

To be wealthy depends on our value system.

Having the freedom to cycle out in the country and enjoy the natural pleasures of nature is wealth.

To be wise is a challenge and a willingness on our part to have an objective point of view.

Wisdom is often born of struggle and pain and so, so rewarding.

So what about it... Be healthy / wealthy / wise!