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!

FORTITUDE...

 FORTITUDE might well be another word for Courage, a willingness to be brave when difficulties come our way.

This kind of courage shows itself over a period of time.  We want to be able to suffer well, yet only when we can fortify ourselves, and be protected from a negative attitude or person will we be able to suffer well.

A friend of mine got published in a Magazine.  She was so encouraged and full of interest in writing more.  Then someone who wanted to offer her good advice in becoming a better writer, outlined a certain mistake.  It took the wind out of her sails, so to speak and suddenly she felt unable to write...

This is where fortification can protect us from the negative, and encourage us to only be open to positive encouragement.  They say, by our mistakes we learn, yet be careful, being able to create in writing or acting or painting, our creative self is very, very fragile.

Fortitude will guard us against any negative vibes, and we will soar into a World of positive creativity!    

ENERGY...

ENERGY...

To have a motor car without power is futile, no matter how beautiful it might be. Well, the same goes for ourselves.  If we feel without energy,  then our efforts will be of no use.  

The Energy we possess within is the driving force, helping us to achieve all that we want or need to do.  This energy is the true belief we possess within ourselves, driving us to almost amazing feats at times.

With this Energy, this powerful ability to believe in all that we want to do, is powerful.  We can reach forward and surprise others, and especially ourselves. We become a substance of Power, guided by the very Creator who has brought us into existance.  We can and will respond to the gift of Life.

Perhaps what is needed most is to eliminate all and everything that would destroy the belief we have in being a person of worth, energised to do whatever we are inspired to do, and reach for what appears impossible! 

DESIRE...

 DESIRE...

Someone once said that whatever we desire, is a reflection of just who we are. I wonder if that is true?

In a way, whatever we aspire to, and give our time to, becomes an image of the real inner us.  For example, a person I know, who will not be named, always had a desire to act, to become an actress.  

She loved to behave in an almost exagerated way, with gestures and loud laughing and having fun. Even when she sneezed or coughed, it  would be heard, loud and clear.  And of course, she was brilliant at emphasing each word as she spoke.  We thought it was funny, then she won best actress when taking part in local plays.

Yes, she became famous.  The laugh was on those who laughed at her.

So, good sense would say, be careful what you desire because it will become you.

DILIGENT

 DILIGENT...

The Dictionary says that DILIGENT means hard-working / being conscientious. That certainly means a lot. No room for half-measures.

I feel reprimanded because I often 'cut corners' in doing a job of sorts, just to have it finished. This might explain why I still have not earned a Pulitzer for Literature!

Then again, often in relation to Creative writing, one responds to inspiration in the moment, knowing that the work in only a first-draft. and will require a redraft. 

On this happy note I will redeem myself.  However, in many ways in our daily life, we are invited to respond to others and learn to build / reflect and add to what is presented to us.  In a Godly sense, we are constantly being inspired to become more than what we are, especially in relation to loving others.

Seize the Day and welcome Love!

CONTROL...

CONTROL...

Being in Control of one's life is essential if we are to make progress in developing our Creative self.  It would seem to be an easy thing to do, yet it requires a certain deliberation on our part to control ALL of ourselves, especially the hidden recesses of our EGO.

There are some people who believe our EGO is a special trait of our personality... NOT so.  Our ego is centred on being important. The Truth is found in realising our spiritual self which aims at loving creatively.  We don't have to be another Mozart or Renoir, we just need to be original, our true selves.

Perhaps we can learn a lot from children, and how authentic they are when behaving in a normal manner, and how un-natural they become when trying to be what they are not.  A spoilt child may put on an act to get attention and the same applies to a 'spoilt' adult.

If we are 8 years old, or eighty, we must be authentic.  Even if fearful, the challenge must be addressed, and become fearless. If we are constantly in a hurry, we need to slow down.  This is where CONTROL  becomes the best friend we can have, so we can be free to be ourselves.

BELIEF...

 BELIEF..

I guess what we believe in, is who we truly are...

Being a believer in the Chritian values makes me a believer in Christ.  Also, puts a responsibility upon me to be Christlike.

Most of us live in a World of freedom, to think for ourselves, and to follow our dreams, whatever they might be.  This sense of freedom is both liberating and almost dangerous because we could become a victim of stronger personalities. 

Even worse, we could be influenced from childhood to believe that certain people of Race or Nationality are our enemies, so we believe we must oppose them at all costs. Hence, we have justified hate led by people like Hitlar etc.

Mark Twain, the American author, wrote a book called Huckleberry Finn.  The boy in the story is friends with a black boy. However, when the black boy tries to escape because there is talk about the lady who owns him, may have to sell him. Huckleberry is filled with fear of losing his soul because it is forbidden to help a slave escape?

How easy it is to use religion as a means of scaring people, and this can happen in different ways, in different religions. Perhaps a father might be obligated to kill his own child, if she brought disgrace upon the family.

Belief must be authentic, motivated by love and devoid of fear.

ACT...

 Every good deed begins with an ACT...  either of Mind / Body / Spirit.  We begin to demonstrate our desire to move forward, and depending on who and what we are, the act will come from something we think about / something we do, or some value we possess that moves us to Act!

Some people are moved by music, and without even thinking they begin to dance and move to the music.

Whereas a person moved by a thought, might simply sit and ponder upon whatever is in their mind.  It could be something silly, or it could be a point of genius.  Only by following it can they know.

A spiritually - minded person  will meditate and however possible, link up with God and the spiritual life.

Generally speaking, most of us can be any or all of these. How we educate ourselves, what we read, and especially what we love, will determine what kind of person we become.

Who am I?  This is the big question, and how do I find out!