Benefits

A newsletter just came from the administrator of the spiritual direction program I got my training at in Arizona, speaking of the challenges of the pandemic yet.  Of course, we all thought this whole mess would be over by now but in reality we may be living with the effects for quite some time.  Lots of challenges and drawbacks but not often do we hear of the benefits. 

Yes, you say, "benefits?" Well, we all have been challenged with the downside of Covid and it hit businesses very hard.  Many clients of mine, who had to travel a bit to get here, certainly couldn't come because of precautions.  Many said, "when this is all over, I'll be back!" 

Every month, every year we all think, "when will this be over?"  If we consider the other side of the coin for a moment, here is what came to mind: distance is not a problem. We can be in a "space" with the click of a button on Zoom, Messenger, Duo and other technology. 

Even in a conference, when small groups are getting together, there is no physical juggling to do getting the environment ready, it's just a click of the button and two or three folks are paired for small group discussion.  Bingo, done! 

Courtesy of Pixabay

Same with clients coming for spiritual direction.  Never in my wildest dream did I think there would be any benefit of seeing clients over the computer screen but it nearly is as good as in person and saves so much travel time, putting up with the elements, etc. etc. 

So, rather than "waiting till it's all over", if you've considered spiritual direction, distance doesn't have to be a factor at all anymore!  I will be connecting with someone in Ohio in a few days, where I had hesitancy before Covid. Think about it; there really are benefits brought on by Covid!  Feel free to call: 920.793.3530 for an appointment.

BIG MONKEY!

 I just had a BIG MONKEY, more like a Silverback or a Sasquatch, fall off my back! That huge animal has been hanging around my neck for many, many months and my spirit was drooping, sleep was challenged and joy was gone.  It was hard to think about anything else.  Ever have one on your back? 

Courtesy of Pixabay

Probably so, but we all have  different monkeys with different sizes and names. Various names can fall under categories such as: medical issues, grief issues, financial concerns, fractured relationships...you could name more, but each one of us has had them. 

Sometimes, I think we need to carry that load while we ponder, pray, ponder some more and keep on praying.  One of the monkeys lightened itself the other evening after I had a gentle conversation with my husband about his health. It was many months coming but timing was right, he was receptive and words came. 

Timing is one thing that I have learned over the years, especially when abuse issues are the concern.  Safety is paramount and there are situations that need to be planned out very carefully. 

It's not an easy journey, we suffer in the meantime in many ways, but the divine, good Karma, the Universe, God...you name it...is there for each of us. We must be open and trust that answers will come but be willing to take action at the appropriate time.  These answers never fail to amaze me, especially after that BIG MONKEY is gone! 

Guru

Courtesy of Pixabay

 The other day, after writing a post, I wasn't able to post it to my personal page.  You would have thought it was my first rodeo navigating my Facebook page but for the life of me, I couldn't find it. For the past few days I have been away from any WiFi so couldn't work on my computer. 

Tonight I called my computer guru, trying to figure things out with her.  Of course, I was thinking the worst, that I had been hacked again.  When it happens once the thought of having been hacked is not far from my mind. 

Well, with just a few adjustments and looking in another spot, there it was, my personal page. There are so many icons on a page and with her kind, helpful words, I found it!  What a relief.

Lately, there have been thoughts going through my head on various situations that sometimes nearly leave me paralyzed with fear.  It isn't until I make a phone call or appointment with a "guru" that the answers come, followed by calm inside me.

What do you do when you run into a glitch in life that, by yourself, you just can't make heads nor tails out of?  We all need a guru to turn to when we run into a dead end trying to solve our issues.  Chaos or calm? Think about it! 

Cat on My Lap!

This morning I was reading the diocesan newspaper in my recliner chair. It was my way of procrastinating working on some paperwork that has been hanging over my head for many months.  In the midst of my reading, hardly without noticing, my two year old furball, Carmel, gently crawled over my right arm and made his way into my lap. Not a peep out of him, he just snuggled in my lap and laid his head over my hand.

Some days when this happens I just look at him and ask, "where did you come from and how did you get up in my lap so quietly...hardly without me noticing!?"  Of course, he just snuggles there, knowing he's got my attention. Yes, I continue to sit!! 

I had just read a column in the paper about our guardian angels and the prayer, "Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

This is a prayer I grew up with but often forget about it, as well as my guardian angel. It is a simple prayer but I needed a reminder, which came at a good time for me.  It was a good thing I had a little help, "making me" sit long enough to read the paper thoroughly.  

The phone also rang twice during this time, which now I didn't complain as "distractions."  I also had to notify a company about an order that came that was short an item. All are tasks that could be done with Carmel on my lap! 

Carmel

So, perhaps my guardian angel has been at my side in more ways than I can count guarding and guiding me in many things.  Today, my angel's helper
is Carmel!  What's yours?

Thoughts to Action

Have you even given it a second thought as to how our thoughts can make or break us?  In the book "You are a Badass at Making Money" by Jen Sincero, she goes to great length to explain how strong our thoughts are.  I'm sure we have all heard versions of this same idea in many ways, "if you think you can...if you think you can't"  You know how it goes. 

Well, aside from her incessant use of potty mouth words, she gives so many wonderful examples from real life that it has given me a new energy on taking more time to "listen" to my inner voices and beliefs...my real deep beliefs that have been ruling my life that I may not even be aware of.

It takes effort and determination to become a more rounded, grounded individual. I think, too, that it is a process, albeit, a slow, intentional one that often needs companionship of a well-trained individual, therapist and/or spiritual director but a very rewarding journey, to say the least. 

In the 12-Step Recovery process of Alcoholics Anonymous it is often spoken as to how that program can work for an individual.  It uses the acronym H.O.W. and explains it by saying that our own honesty, openness and willingness is what makes it work. 

That very honesty, openness and willingness comes after many, many times of hearing others share their own struggles and gains to see the miracle happen as they begin to get in touch with what is really going on inside of them; this miracle becomes so rewarding. 

So, it does good to hear the same thing in a variety of ways and the above-mentioned book brings me renewed energy for the old path I have been on for many years. 

Courtesy of Pixabay

What about you? What thoughts are making or breaking your peace of mind? Let me encourage all of us to take some quiet time to really "listen" to what our thoughts are saying to us.  Our actions will certainly follow, as they have been all along.