Be Patient...

The virtue of Patience is one worth having and we gain it by being patient.

When we are able to be honest with ourselves, it's easy to see that our lack of patience is often the reason why we fail / do or say things we are sorry for afterwards.

It would be a blessing to be able to focus on what we want to do and leave all negative debris aside.

A patient person will take a moment to reflect and so make positive choices.

It's good to remember we are dealing with imperfection, both in ourselves and others, so take it easy and practise patience!

Be of good cheer...

To be of good cheer means a willingness to look at the bright side of life.

Life as we know it is constantly changing and we are too.

Today I may be in good form and love life and admire the sunshine and the clouds etc.

Tomorrow I may well be not so good and find it an effort to be of good cheer.

All that matters is my willingness to look at life with a positive and optimistic spirit.

Feelings don't make us who we are.

Our choices do. 

TRUTH

We are told TRUTH is like a razor-sharp knife; what is true is on one side and what is false on the other.

This puts life in a 'black and white' picture.  Can this be so?

Do we sometimes live in a world of grey where nothing is very clear...

Perhaps we do at times, yet the truth cannot be coloured according to the mood we find ourselves in.

The person who wants to be free and able to live an honest life is obligated to live by what is true, not not by what is false.

When we read the lives of the Saints, people who loved God and had a love for Truth, then we have a good example of what it takes to be truthful.

God is kind and compassionate and willingly forgives us when we fail to live up to our truthful self.

Yet, we can only avail of this wonderful grace when we are honest and love what is truthful.

The TRUTH will set us free!

Laughter...

Often the mistakes we make in life can cause us laughter later on.

We realise that life is not meant to be taken seriously.  

We can be serious about commitment in our lives and applying ourselves to our daily duties, yet  without a morbid or serious attitude.

No wonder God prompts us to be childlike and happy in our endeavours.

Mistakes and failures can be a great source of learning and also shared-laughter when we are free to laugh at ourselves.

This is wisdom, to be open and willing to have a good laugh!

TIME OUT...

When this wonderful world that we live in appears to become too much to handle, take a break.

Time out in reflection / time out with God in prayer / time out in creative endeavours will help to bring back a sense of peace and comfort.

Community and family and friends lend an atmosphere of peace and contentment and yet often we need to step out on our own and discover the mystery of God's love for us.

This is often called going on  RETREAT.  

In our community we have organised a Retreat Get-a-way to west Cork which is special for me.

I will be joining with Michaela who is brilliant at guiding people in Positive Psychology.

My part will be in facilitating Creative Writing sessions.

It's great to get the opportunity to share with others what is a passion for oneself.

Of course the huge bonus is the location, an organic farm in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. 

And an extra bonus will be the Sound Therapy sessions run by Harry Parkinson.

Yes, it's such a gift to avail of  Time Out!

A Child of God...

I watched a programme on TV about a person who was united with her birth-mother after a lapse of so many years.  The person had suffered for so many years believing they were not wanted.... 

Great happiness followed when they were united and realised they were always loved.

This story made me realise the power of love and what it is like for each one of us to be united to our heavenly Parent.

We can have an idea of the power of a parent's love, yet to be able to fathom the love God has for each one of us...

We are a Child of God and loved beyond our wildest imagination.

Love without limits!

PROGRESS...

It's a very human requirement to make progress in life; to believe we are developing ourselves and becoming a better and more able person.

When we are sound in mind and body, then this will happen.

When we are weak, perhaps unwell or troubled, then a different course of action is required.

We are being invited to go deeper within and examine our motives for all our actions etc. 

This is where our spiritual life is a great blessing.

We come to realise that God is ever present with us.  We have the hosts of heaven on call!

Christ said, ' I am with you always...'

Life is both a challenge and a wonderful invitation to become more at one with God.

Perhaps it's when we are weakest that in truth we are strongest.

St. Paul reminds us, 'In my weakness, I found my strength.'