FRIENDSHIP

Today, I visited a good friend.  I was surprised to find myself a little nervous as we had not seen each other for awhile.  Do friendships peter out?

As soon as we met and hugged and sat down together and chatted and laughed at silly things, I was reassured at there is no such thing as fickle friends, only careless ones.

I'm now resolved to give time and attention to the good friends I have.  These are my treasures.

We can buy a lot of things, never friendship.

This is a special gift that God affords us when we are willing to share ourselves with others.

The gift of friendship is precious.  Value it.

HOLY SOULS

We are already into November, often known as the month of the Holy Souls. It can be important to know why.
Why pray for the Holy Souls, and more importantly, who are they, these Holy Souls who ask our help and yet are able to help us?
This is my belief, that the Holy Souls are those who have passed on in life.
They wait, in a state of peace, for the day when they can be with God, their final resting place.

There are several issues regarding why they are waiting. Surely when we die, we go to Him who loves us?
Perhaps there is much we don't know about the spiritual world, yet we do know that all of us are bonded by who and what we love.
When we love God, we are with Him. Yet just like the shy lover, we may need to wait awhile before we can be comfortable with the One we love.
The waiting is our choice and as we wait we can and will help others.
And in a strange way we can be helped by the prayers of those still on earth. This is my hope and belief.
I ask the Holy Souls to help me and I on my part will help them.
I call this a bond of Love.

Going on a Journey

On Saturday 19th October, I set out on a Journey to meet up with my friends in Spain.
The journey begins on M50 to Bewley's Hotel where I get the Shuttle bus to the Airport, Terminal One. (This means RyanAir)
I will have all I need with me, I hope, and so the Adventure begins.

Perhaps all adventures are started by going on a Journey and finding our way to where we are meant to be.
A good way to prepare ourselves is to be focused on where we want to go and determined to get there.

When we read the lives of the saints, it's obvious how motivated they were.
They were focused on loving God and so made everything and anything that happened in their lives a way of
helping them to grow in their love for God.
They knew where they wanted to go and used every means to get there, to be with the One who loves them.

Where do I want to go?
What is my journey in life?
Am I motivated to do all I can to get where I want to go?

Love is the answer.

JOY OF LIFE

It's easy to be caught up with duties of all sorts.
This happens when we are primed to complete a project or job of some kind or other.
Of course, it's good to be focused and to be dutiful, yet beware!
There is a Joy in life that lifts us above ourselves and brings us into a state of love and wellbeing.
When we are moved by the joys of life then we open our hearts to all that is good / positive / loving / creative.
This is our true nature, to experience joy and to spread it about as best we can.
Sometimes, a smile will give joy / a kind word / empathy and compassion etc.
Whatever it takes to be joyful, let us do so whole-heartedly.

SIMPLICITY

After attending a Catholic Conference at the weekend, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to practise our Faith is through Simplicity.
I look at the life of Christ and am astonished at His Simplicity and
His Gentle way of leading us towards a Truthful life.
When I am simple and willing to be the 'little' person that I am, then there is no need to pretend or feel guilty about anything.
God has allowed me to be as I am, with all my shortcomings and weaknesses.
Do they prevent me from being a loving and caring person?
Perhaps, yet there is a short-cut that leads to Grace and that is found in living a simple and honest life.

PREPARATION

Preparation is the key to success and peace of mind.
I'm made aware of this as I prepare to take part in the Catholic Conference taking place in Kilkenny, this weekend.
What to bring / what to wear / what am I forgetting?
So many questions jump into mind and yet perhaps the only preparation that is needed is to focus my mind on why I am taking part in the Conference?
Am I prepared to be the Catholic person I am and represent the Servants of Love Community of which I am a member for the past forty years.
God loves to test us and draw us further along the path of sanctity.
Am I willing to go at His pace?
Do I trust in His goodness?
Do I truly believe that I am loved by God, and do I return that love?
Plenty to meditate on as I prepare for the journey to Kilkenny.

INNOCENCE

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to meet up with family and cousins, and of course, all the 'new' arrivals.

Such sweet and interesting babies, the youngest LEAH is only four weeks old.

Next in line came JACOB who is four months old, and of course the wonderful RUBY who is now almost a year and a half!

Their lives are only beginning to unfold.

What do they learn from observing US?

Is it gentleness/ patience/ understanding/ etc. OR are we so caught up in our failings and weaknesses that we portray a flawed image as an example to follow.

Innocence needs protection so it can flourish.

Am I willing to protect the Innocence, and how?