April, 2009
April 28, 2009
smart
Fourteen year old, Sarah, a straight A student who excels at music, sports and of course, text messaging as well, asked me recently how I happened to be driving a SMART car.
I explained that a gentleman and his wife observed that the Sisters of St. Joseph really mean it when we say that we care about the environment—that our conversation and behaviors match. When the SMART car came up as an auction item at a non-profit gala this fellow and his wife looked at each other and together said, “The nuns” They offered the top bid, won the car, then gave it to our Sisters!
“Our Sisters care about your generation.” I told Sarah. She smiled and nodded politely. But when I asked her if she had any ideas to give my generation about what more we can do for her future world, she sat up straight, looked me right in the eye and said, “Yes.” We weren't able to have that conversation at that moment, but we made it a priority to return to it.
I wonder if parents with young teens ask them for their thoughts and perspectives about what we could be doing for the earth.
Let’s help them exercise their wisdom and leadership for the future health and welfare of our earth community. It will mean the world to them, literally.
Possumus
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April 21, 2009
Stresss
I’ve been tangled in a series of events that ultimately swallowed whole the last month and a half. Yet, I’ve considered myself lucky to have been able to show up when and where I was expected! Has that ever happened to you?
Today the economy alone is a burden and I believe it has either touched us personally or someone we love. Worry morphs into stress and stress is a killer if not relieved. It’s important to know how stress works in our lives as it affects each of us differently.
Some people become immobile while others become hyper. For me, patience becomes strained. I find it difficult to stay with a process and instead, focus on results. This isn’t good because it spreads the stress around.
I get back on track with meditation. During stressful times, a 30 minute daily meditation is not enough to re-balance patience in my life. I try to add several short periods as well—3-5 minutes throughout the day.
When stress is my issue, I make stress the focus of my meditation. I set that feeling in the center of my mind, and observe it as if from a distance. Soon it becomes something that I know but no longer feel. In time, patience begins to seep back in place.
Work at being well however you do it for yourself. It’s important because today we need the intention of all of us to help society get on a track of right relationship throughout our planet.
Possumus
