May Pope Francis rest in peace! Even among religious clergy there are deep differences between ultra conservatives and liberals. Let us pray for the Conclave that will choose our next pope! Let his example to the migrants, the poor, the outcasts and all people and religions be an example that we may take to heart ourselves!
God bless you, Pope Francis, good and faithful servant! May your soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!! Amen.
There is a wellness podcast I listened to by Mel Robbins. She said many folks in their older years think this is the time to just sit back and decline...thinking declining to death is inevitable. WRONG!!! The only way to prevent a decline is to MOVE!
Even as I write this Channel 2 has news of an "82 6/12" years old man who loved track and field sports in school. Now he has a hard time walking so running isn't in his bag of desires. However, power lifting is! Can you imagine. He doesn't even practice because that makes him sore but he adds a 2+ lbs. every time he attends a meet.
Getting back to Mel Robbins, she says the best way to move is to simply walk around the house, walk around the block and to keep adding to it...just move! Of course, when we get older, more and more of our friends and acquaintances leave us one way or another... moving, dying, transitioning to care facilities...you name it...leaving us lonely and sad.
Getting involved somehow helps our spirit and can bring some spark and increased activity into our day. Each of us can decide how we are going to move but just move! For me, I just ordered a 3 wheeled electric trike that I can pedal when I want, coast when I'm tired! Can't wait. How about you? By the way, Mel Robbins has many fine podcasts and all are very pertinent!
I was eighteen when the Viet Nam war was raging and a bit removed from all the chaos, turmoil, riots and political arguments of that time. Also, a saying: of being on "this side of the hill, not under it," took me awhile to understand. It also has taken me until not too long to understand really what Watergate was all about.
I didn't necesarrily consciously "avoid" all that was going on but circumstances helped keep me at that distance. Well, there are different circumstances now. At the local "Hands Off 2025 demonstration April 5, 2025, the fellow next to me wondered where all the younger people were. Oh, we weren't all old but those in their 30's and 40's were not plentiful.
Maybe wisdom, years and reality bring a higher sense of urgency pushing many of us to take action and doing what little we can do to make a difference. 600 (at the local demonstration) is certainly a far cry from thousands (at Madison and other large cities) but individually, each one of us adds up to make a change.
Think of all the demonstrations against Viet Nam. My best friend helped organize busses to go to Kent State!! Until presently, I wondered how anyone could even get so passionate to do such a thing!! But now...long before yesterday's demonstration was organised I said I would go if there was a march!
So, how about you? What can you, and each of us do, to get passionate about important matters that make a difference. For me too, it has also been about volunteering and not sitting back. Find a group or cause that can make a difference. Not only political but meaningful.
It might be a pantry, a parish, humane society or government, just pick something; it might be your relationship with God. We all matter. Don't be like me and wait until you're starting to roll down the other side of life's hill we are on. It might be too late when you find you're under the sod, not on top of it!
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
--There are some sayings that have guided me lately:
"yes, 'In God we trust' but still tie up your camel! (Anthony DeMello)"; "you are right where you are supposed to be!"; "we are Jesus to others (Fr. Dave Beaudry)."
Well, what do these sayings have anything to do with anything?
I was thinking about the state of affairs yesterday, April 4, 2025, and can only think that yes, I and lots of folks do trust God but operating with fear we act and live as if our "camels" are running loosely in the yard. A picture comes to mind of trying to corral a herd of cats! Then to mind Kamala Harris's comment regarding living with courage rather than fear comes to mind.
This morning my thoughts terrorized me to the point of thinking "if things get so bad who might I have come live with me to share expenses!!! And maybe I should go on a "hoarding" spree getting food, drinks and of course toilet paper!!"
So, rather than write a dissertation on my other sayings I will stick to the first one about the camels.I see my camels as having a tether on them so that I can tie them up with. I have others to help me, supportive friends and family. I do have my faith, God and prayers and of course, some common sense to decide what needs attention physically,nutritionally and financially.
So, hopefully, this little reflection might help you know that yes, it's good to trust in God, always...but also, tie up your camel!
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
