Joy: Paying Attention! :)

 "The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention." -Julie Cameron

One gift Crystal gave Mary and I before we parted ways in June was a Gratitude journal. It's a book with blank pages for writing, but on every other page is a quote about thankfulness. Crystal took markers and wrote on some of the pages about what she was grateful for this year-- so beautiful!

I was flipping through the book today, and came across this quote. Also today, someone forwarded this YouTube video to me. Click to watch:  Pay Attention. :)

Not only did I learn what a carillon is, I also was watching the people as they were walking/sitting/going about their normal day and getting to where they needed to go. Some would stop, laugh, look up at the bell tower, and then keep walking; some would laugh to themselves, glance up, yet keep walking; and others made no outward signs that they recognized Lady Gaga's song coming from the carillon. But one thing is for sure: For those that were attentive to their surroundings, they sure were DELIGHTED! :)

Be present. Stop and smell the roses. Slow down. Relax. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. All these are things I need to remember as the busy school year starts up. I usually do a good job of being present, but this served as an amusing reminder, when paired with the wisdom from the Gratitude Journal. :)

And Happy Feast Day of St. Augustine!

Peace,
-Michelle

Joy: Love Poems From God!

That's right. Love Poems from God. Read it. Even if you don't like poetry (or think you don't like poetry), read it. I feel like I'm one of those kids on "Reading Rainbow" who smiled at the camera and said, "If you like such-and-such a book, then you'll LOVE this one..." Because it's THAT good!

Recently, I've been *somewhat* obsessed with the following people, largely due to this book: Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, Hafiz, Kabir, St. Teresa of Avila, Tukaram, Sr. Catherine of Siena, Mira, St. Thomas Aquinas, Rabia, Meister Eckhart, and St. John of the Cross. This book brings together a bouquet of poetry written by these people. Up until now, I had no idea that St. Thomas Aquinas wrote poetry.  Who knew?! Amazing. 

So, thanks to my generous and loving friend Christina, who has lent me this book since July, I have been starting my mornings with a lit candle, and a few poems from the East and West. I also recently read "Praying Your Experiences" by Br. Joseph Schmidt, and he says, "Pray as you can, not as you can't." I've found that praying poetry in the morning puts me in SUCH A GREAT MOOD! I am so happy as I get out of bed, blow out my candle, and head off to breakfast with verses like "God and I will forever cherish Myself" from Rabia in my subconscious. 

Below are just a sampling of my favorite little golden nuggets. Enjoy!   

"God Would Kneel Down" ~ St. Francis of Assisi

I think God might be a little prejudiced.

For once He asked me to join Him on a walk through this world,

and we gazed into every heart on this earth,

and I noticed He lingered a bit longer 

before any face that was 

weeping,

and before any eyes that were 

laughing.

And sometimes when we passed 

a soul in worship

God too would kneel 

down.

I have come to learn: God 

adores his 

creation.

* * * * * 

"And Help Him Comfort" ~Mira

God has

a special interest in women

for they can lift this world to their breast

and help Him 

comfort.

* * * * *

"Each Soul Completes Me" ~Hafiz

My 

Beloved said,

"My name is not complete without yours."

I thought:

How could a human's worth ever be such?

And God knowing all our thoughts--and all our

thoughts are innocent steps on the path-- 

then addressed my heart,

God revealed a sublime truth to the world,

when He sang,

"I am made whole by your life. Each soul,

each soul completes 

me."

Peace, 

-Michelle

Joy: Trusting in the Catcher

This reflection speaks for itself... beautiful for those in transitions and the uncomfortable spaces of new beginnings. See also: Luke 8:50 & Mark 5:36. :) 


An excerpt from "Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation On Dying and Caring"

     ~By Henri J.M. Nouwen

One day, I was sitting with Rodleigh, the leader of the [performing arts] troupe, in his caravan, talking about flying [on the trapeze]. He said, "As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher.  The public might think that I am the greatest star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher.  He has to be there for me with split-second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump."

"How does it work?" I asked.

"The secret," Rodleigh said, "is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything: When I fly to Joe, I have simply to stretch out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron behind the catchbar."

"You do nothing?" I said, surprised.

"Nothing," Rodleigh repeated. "A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."

When Rodleigh said this with so much conviction, the words of Jesus flashed through my mind: "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit." Dying is trusting in the catcher.  To care for the dying is to say, "Don't be afraid. Remember that you are the beloved child of God.  He will be there when you make your long jump.  Don't try to grab him; he will grab you. Just stretch out your arms and hands and trust, trust, trust."

For Further Reading: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=31946