Acts of Kindness

No one needs the next person to discuss how much snow has fallen, the reality of shoving the white stuff and all that goes with winter, whether it's here in Wisconsin or anywhere else for that matter! Our back yard neighbor helps us with shoveling, which is a relief beyond compare! He helps us with so many acts of kindness. 

Two days ago I had an appointment; this meant driving over and packing down the snow down the driveway, making its removal a challenge.  Pat was shoveling but I couldn't wait until he cleared the path.  I told him how very much we appreciated what a fine job he does for us, then gave him a hug. 

Well, this hug proceeded to make "headlines" with my husband relaying this whole story back to me later in the day.  It meant so much to our neighbor that he had told my husband, and I wonder who else heard this same story!  We never know how our small acts of kindness will touch someone's heart!

I would venture to say most of us have enjoyed emails and passed them on. In Facebook it is called "like", as we read a post on someone's blog. A more assertive action, of encouraging others to appreciate what we have seen, is to "share" that post.  I believe the hug I shared with my neighbor got a whole lot more attention than just a comment from me. Obviously! Enough that he then passed along the incident.  Acts of kindness certainly speak louder than words! Consider "sharing" these posts as an act of kindness, it would mean so much!  Thank you very much!


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director and can be reached for an appointment at 920 793.3530 or read more at:mollylafond.com

Nothin' Special

Well, the holidays are over, the glitz and glamour are gone, it'll be some weeks until the thought of Easter...a very ordinary time of year with nothin' special going on. Almost a letdown. The sun rises, the sun sets, the seasons change; these are all rhythms, pulses and patterns that we live with day in and day out. 

This ordinary time, as lackluster as it may be, does add immensely, however, to our life and gatherings. We mark time with all these changes. Some people live with the rhythm of the tides, some who are not retired mark time each day by the alarm clock or a commuter train that brings them home from work. 

Finding God during the high times of Christmas and Easter is easy but how do we find God speaking to us in our daily lives, which sometimes can be quite a grind, common and ordinary with nothin' special going on? We are challenged to slow down, to listen to God's voice always, each day. We are called to help the poor, to be merciful, to pray for others in every season not just the big times, but always. 

Who are those individuals, right among us, who need our assistance, our prayers, our forgiveness?  We are not prompted by end of the year deductions, charitable organizations with their hand out or special causes.  No, we are simply prompted by nothin' special during this ordinary time.  If we are able find God in ordinary places of our day: in our daily rhythms of our work, play,our rest and wakefulness, our laughing and worrying,  just imagine how the high holy days of our year will be! 

Seeds

Today while roaming the isles in Walmart I saw that spring garden seeds are on the shelves already!  It is still the dead of winter, snow is still on the ground and yet seeds are out.  They will certainly need some help from Mother Nature before they will bear any fruit. In fact, they will need a lot of help before they can even be planted. 

We are often like those seeds.  Have you ever needed to "run something by" a friend, to talk to someone who will listen to what is on your heart?  Mostly, just wanting a companion to receive what you have to say, to acknowledge your feelings?  It is a blessing to have that person who can listen, who will keep your deepest thoughts and feelings in confidence.  This in itself is the climate that allows us to know that the wisdom is inside, God's spirit is with us, and we can trust awarenesses, truths and insights that come. 

This climate to  help our own "seeds" bear fruit can be found in spiritual direction.  It is usually a process that takes time, cannot be forced, but while trusting it, gentle things happen inside...like the germination of the seed while in the dark ground, waiting for the warmth of spring to come.  The warmth of the relationship between the seeker and the spiritual director (spiritual companion) is the environment that helps the seed of our spirit to sprout and bloom. 

If this is something that sounds interesting to you, it might be worth your while to find a spiritual director for yourself.  If you would like help with the seed of your spirit in finding new growth spiritual direction just may be for you! Consider calling me today for an appointment!  I would love to journey with you in your spiritual garden!


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director, accepting new clients at either of two locations:  Two Rivers or Crivitz, WI.  Call: 920.793.3530 or see: mollylafond.com

"Stuff"

Have you ever resolved to finally clean that room that always collects "stuff?"  You know the one that clutter is hidden behind a closed door and you don't have to look at it every day. Well, this week was the week! Basically, the room now looks great, the surfaces are cleared off, the floor is swept. 

Then I went into one of the closets...a walk-in closet.  It had boxes on the floor: toilet paper, paper towels and Christmas boxes.  Then I had a bright idea to put a couple of shelves up. I needed my husband to help me with that, with trimming a shelf, getting the electric drill, etc.  A "five minute" task took a whole day.

I'm sure most of us have had similar situations occur.  One thing leads to another, then another...more and more "stuff" becomes obvious. It's a slow process, maybe even to the point of needing to call for help.  That help could be an array of resources: another person to join in and help, calling a pick-up van like Goodwill or maybe a carpet cleaning service. 

Each of us also have spiritual "stuff" but that needs the help and guidance of a spiritual companion. It's nearly impossible to sort that all alone. These spiritual companions called spiritual directors, come in all different "sizes".  Each one, male or female, religious or lay, has a style unique to themselves.  Their backgrounds, experiences, education...all sorts of variables, make them each very unique in their style. 

If you are to the point of looking for a spiritual companion to help with your spiritual "stuff", consider this gift to yourself this new year. Spiritual Directors' International has a listing of directors in your area. Consider calling me for an appointment, which is an hour long. It's a wonderful feeling to have someone who understands and listens in a tender, compassionate way. Some of our "stuff" cannot be rushed!


Molly LaFond is a spiritual director in the Two Rivers, Wi area. To make an appointment call: 920.793.3530 or see: mollylafond.com

2016

To you and all those dear to you, may this new year

 be a blessed one! 

From Molly LaFond

and

Third Chair Spiritual Direction