I am Grateful for
1. Having Lisa for my daughter helping me find a place in FL.
2. Having an easy paced day today, didn't get exercise in.
3. Having good leftovers to eat as I try to clean out the frig as I will be gone to FL then to Chicago this next 10 days.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Move to Florida? Visiting Brandon this week.
On Thursday I will fly to Fl to look for housing in the Brandon area, Hillsburough County where my daughter Lisa and her family live. I am facing a series of possible surgeries and decided I would rather move now than during a medical crisis. Get to know the community, support and medical professionals.
I will be in Fl for about five days and I think that will give me plenty of time to see the housing nearest to Lisa and to make an informed decision. I can always stay here and try again in the spring if I don't find a place this trip. Put my adds out on Craig's list-Tampa and using my daughter's cell phone number to arrange visits because wouldn't you know it I just lost mine while on retreat this week!
I am looking for a two bedroom apartment-so folks can visit, I assume my Northern relatives would like to do so in the winter. My son and his wife Jodi have returned to FL this past month; Jodi at the Un of FL in Gainesville and Jason in Tampa working for the DOD. I hope that our relationship might be more easily healed if I move to FL. I pray God will touch Jason's heart with the grace of forgiveness towards me.
If I move to Brandon I will be close to my Bishop Bridget Mary who resides in FL with her father from November to May in Sarasota. I would hope that I could preside at liturgy for her community until she arrives. I hope that I will be able to begin a small intentional faith community in Brandon. I hope that is where God is leading me if I move.
I will be in Fl for about five days and I think that will give me plenty of time to see the housing nearest to Lisa and to make an informed decision. I can always stay here and try again in the spring if I don't find a place this trip. Put my adds out on Craig's list-Tampa and using my daughter's cell phone number to arrange visits because wouldn't you know it I just lost mine while on retreat this week!
I am looking for a two bedroom apartment-so folks can visit, I assume my Northern relatives would like to do so in the winter. My son and his wife Jodi have returned to FL this past month; Jodi at the Un of FL in Gainesville and Jason in Tampa working for the DOD. I hope that our relationship might be more easily healed if I move to FL. I pray God will touch Jason's heart with the grace of forgiveness towards me.
If I move to Brandon I will be close to my Bishop Bridget Mary who resides in FL with her father from November to May in Sarasota. I would hope that I could preside at liturgy for her community until she arrives. I hope that I will be able to begin a small intentional faith community in Brandon. I hope that is where God is leading me if I move.
Three Things to be Grateful For
I have been busy with MD's etc seeking to make the best medical decisions I can. Went to a physical therapist this week who said, "you have been doing too much exercise for your back." Two times a week on the reclining bike, two times a week water aerobics.
1. I am thankful for physical therapy and Social Security Medicare that gets me there.
2. I am thankful for AlAnon and the support offered to parents with children abusing drugs/alcohol.
3. I am thankful for the ability to take a nap in the afternoon. I slept from 2-4 today. Woke up refreshed and began to clean the living room.
1. I am thankful for physical therapy and Social Security Medicare that gets me there.
2. I am thankful for AlAnon and the support offered to parents with children abusing drugs/alcohol.
3. I am thankful for the ability to take a nap in the afternoon. I slept from 2-4 today. Woke up refreshed and began to clean the living room.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Rules to Live By by Rebecca Wells
The novel "The Crowning Glory of Cally Lily Ponder" follows a woman's life from her childhood in LA to her marriage to her childhood sweetheart many years later. Calla Lily's mother dies in the novel and before she dies she creates the rules of life for her children, soon motherless.
The Rules of Life
1. Sleep with the windows open (window screens are fine if necessary)
2. Whistle in the dark. Attempts at whistling are good enough
3. Good enough is good enough. Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.
4. Sing anytime you feel like it, and even more when you don’t feel like it. This does not mean in math class. Silent singing is good, and try to sing out loud at least once a day.
5. Am I going to have to haunt y’all to keep everybody laughing? If I have to, you know I will.
6. New visitors are going to come join y’all. Welcome them with open arms.
7. Make new friends, keep the old ones. Get a new dog or cat as soon as you can, and always let one keep you.
8. Let love slip underneath closed doors, through tiny cracks in the wall, through your pores.
9. Remember: Y’all are so dear; each and every one of you makes it so easy to love you, as if anybody needed a reason.
10. Don’t push the La Luna (a river). You do not push a river.
11. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT wash my seasoned cast iron skillet in soapy water. It must simply be wiped clean with an oiled paper towel. We must respect things tht help bring us good food from Mother Earth-wherever we live.
12. Most important of all: KEEP ON DANCING. Dance while you brush your teeth, dance when the sun shines, and dance under the moon. Oh, please be sure to dance in the light, dance in the streets. When life is happy, dance in the kitchen; when life is the roughest, dance in the kitchen. My dear holy family, dance for the good of the world.
From The Crowning Glory of Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells.
The Rules of Life
1. Sleep with the windows open (window screens are fine if necessary)
2. Whistle in the dark. Attempts at whistling are good enough
3. Good enough is good enough. Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.
4. Sing anytime you feel like it, and even more when you don’t feel like it. This does not mean in math class. Silent singing is good, and try to sing out loud at least once a day.
5. Am I going to have to haunt y’all to keep everybody laughing? If I have to, you know I will.
6. New visitors are going to come join y’all. Welcome them with open arms.
7. Make new friends, keep the old ones. Get a new dog or cat as soon as you can, and always let one keep you.
8. Let love slip underneath closed doors, through tiny cracks in the wall, through your pores.
9. Remember: Y’all are so dear; each and every one of you makes it so easy to love you, as if anybody needed a reason.
10. Don’t push the La Luna (a river). You do not push a river.
11. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT wash my seasoned cast iron skillet in soapy water. It must simply be wiped clean with an oiled paper towel. We must respect things tht help bring us good food from Mother Earth-wherever we live.
12. Most important of all: KEEP ON DANCING. Dance while you brush your teeth, dance when the sun shines, and dance under the moon. Oh, please be sure to dance in the light, dance in the streets. When life is happy, dance in the kitchen; when life is the roughest, dance in the kitchen. My dear holy family, dance for the good of the world.
From The Crowning Glory of Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The very best "Good News" for our times I have read in a long time
Received the following via a list serve that I read.
Jon Stewart is noted for his right on "comedy" reporting, the only news I really follow besides reading my local paper. Jon is excellent. I do not believe that this is an actual show but the author uses the format to be "right on!" about issues of the day. The theology is impeccable from where I sit. It reminds me of an author Fr. Joe....who wrote many books putting Jesus into historical situations and how he would live and respond.
Jon Stewart asks Jesus about Mosque Ground Zero
I woke up last night to the sound of laughing and realized I'd fallen asleep with the TV on. It was 3 AM and I knew it was Jon Stewart but I had to fumble around for my glasses to see who his guest was. Unbelievable! It was Jesus, in his robe and all. His nose was bigger than I thought, his skin a lot darker, but his eyes were more piercing than I'd ever imagined. It was like light came out instead of going into them.
John was making some joke about both of them being Jews and Jesus, after laughing harder than I thought he would, said quite seriously to Jon, "Yeah, that's one of the weirdest things, isn't it? How could they forget that?"
Jon was all over him with questions from the daily news. What was his take on the whole Mosque/Ground Zero fiasco? Jesus said he'd seen some newscasts on the story and couldn't believe the drama and fear it was bringing up. "They want to build a public building for prayer, education and community gathering. That's a good thing. A better thing perhaps, would be the construction of an interfaith building, There's room for everyone, and it's these distinctions between religions that's causing all the problems in the first place."
Jon looked incredulous. "An interfaith building??"
"Yes, a multi-tasking mosque, with a synagogue, chapel and meditation hall in it. A building where people of different faiths come together to make a better world together. That's the point of religion right? It's not about doctrine. It's a plan for action, an opportunity to be a communal force for good. Religion is just the map. Faith is the real adventure."
"I don't know...." said Stewart, making one of those funny mouth movements he does after hearing a strange idea.
Jesus pipes in, "What could be better in that spot than a building that represents, by its very structure, a coming together, a new vision that goes beyond religious borders? It's like taking a good idea and making it great. The real prophets of the day know this. Where are their voices? Why aren't you interviewing them?"
"Hmm, I thought I was," says Stewart, tapping his pencil on the desk.
"You know why you have border issues here? Because you believe the borders are real, like they MEAN something. Muslin against Christian, Mexican against American, Republican against Democrat--all those borders are made up. You put up walls to defend your ideas--and not even your OWN, but ideas passed down to you from someone else--and then you make other people look like demons. It's no wonder this country is in a state of collapse. You don't even get it how connected you are. You're like five fingers on a hand who think they're separate and make up reasons why not to get along."
Jon sat there with his mouth open.
"You're like children playing war games. You spend all your time, all your energy attacking the "other side" instead of realizing you need to bridge the two sides in order to get across to a higher level of thinking. Even news shows are at war. Look at how you make fun of FOX. What light does that add to the world? All the time you could be giving to real visionaries, all the ways you could be role-modeling good behavior, showing the audience how it really WORKS to bring great and opposing minds together, and you sit there poking fun at another station. That's really enlightened, isn't it?"
This was the first time I'd ever seen Jon Stewart speechless. He looked like an embarrassed 6th grader. No pencil tapping now. More like a puppy with his tail between his legs.
"What in the world are you people doing? The ones who call themselves "religious" are often the most immature, the most judgmental and intolerant. What is THAT about? That's exactly the opposite of what every religion teaches. And I mean EVERY religion," Jesus said, as he looked away from Stewart and spoke right to the camera.
"All the religions say two basic things," he said, holding up his fingers in a peace sign.
"First, there is no distance between you and this one you call God. God is the creative force behind all things. It's invisible, but you are the manifestation of it. I'm telling you, the Sistine Chapel should have been a mirror."
The audience laughs, but Stewart stares into those deep eyes of the Nazarene.
He goes on, " You are the eyes, the hands, the feet of that creative force. That energy is in you. It's called your breath." He holds up his index finger and taps on it a few times. "That's the first thing. Don't think there's some man out there pulling strings. Grow up. This civilization--if you can call it that--is YOUR creation. This earth, it is not a bunch of resources to be exploited. It is not to be owned. It is your mother, the womb that you sprang from. You are its consciousness, its neural cells. The whole earth is the organism that you belong to. You did not come down to earth, you came up from earth, as I did. Its well-being is in your hands. Can you be proud of what you're doing? Are you going to be the ones who kill it off, after all that talk about pro-life?"
Jesus was getting a little worked up, like that day he stormed through the temple turning over the merchants' tables. Jon cut to a commercial, "And we'll be right back to hear the 2nd basic thing from our guest tonight, ladies and gentlemen, the Jewish prophet Jesus of Nazareth. Stay tuned..." They were laughing about something when they returned from the commercial, Jesus stretched out in his chair with his long lanky legs covered by his tunic, his sandaled feet hidden under the desk.
"OK," Jon says, "You were saying there were two things. Let me see if I got this right. There's no bearded guy up there on a cloud. That God we talk about and fight over is the creative force inside us and around us? It's invisible and we're like....(a long pause) its shadow?"
"Not exactly," says Jesus. We're like the physical form of the same energy. The ice cube version of water or steam. Same elements, different form. The sea and the iceberg. You're all icebergs in the Sea of God," he said, half-laughing at his own quaint metaphor. "But the problem is you don't realize that underneath it all, you're all connected. There's just one big iceberg with a lot of tips. The truth is, you're Creation continuing the co-creation of Itself."
"Oh my," says Stewart. "Let's leave that discussion to Bill Moyers, What about number two? What's the number two thing we're supposed to know?"
Jesus holds up his two fingers again, tapping the tip of his middle finger. The camera zoomed in so closely on him I could see a scar on his forehead. "It's not so much what you need to know--that's part of the problem, all these peoples' belief systems. That's what gets you in trouble. No one has to believe in me to get to heaven. A...there is no heaven to get to and B, it's not what you believe but how you act that matters. If anyone learned anything from reading that Bible they should have picked up that one. There's 3000 references to helping the poor in there. But let me get back..."
"Yes," says Stewart. "The second thing.."
"The second thing is this: forget everything you ever learned in any holy book and just treat everyone like a brother and a sister. I mean that literally. If it were your brother coming across the border...your sister with cancer and no health care....your child unable to get an education....your mother with no food in her house. And even further, your brother who was gay or hated gays, your sister who was a corrupt politician, your brother who bombed an abortion clinic, your sister who got an abortion. What does it look like to love unconditionally? To bridge differences, to come together over what we can agree on? Can you get through one day without thinking you're better or less than another? That's the thing to strive for. That is living faithfully."
"But...but..." says Stewart. "What about the Tea Partyers, the terrorists, what about Fox News and hate crimes?"
"If you think they are so different from you, be the opposite of what you think they are and enact that powerfully in the world. Don't focus on who's wrong. Just be a greater force for good."
"Not focus on who's wrong? How could I do my show?"
"Exactly. Remember what Gandhi said? Be the change you want to see in the world?"
"Sure. I have that quotation on my refrigerator."
"Well, it's time to take it further. You're evolving as a people. You've come through the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the wrongly named Period of Enlightenment. You're now in the Information Age. You are growing your consciousness. In the physical world, you have Olympic marathon trainers who run 10 miles or more a day. They spend every waking hour in training, eating the right foods, researching the right clothing and equipment, working out, following a discipline. And in the metaphysical world, the spiritual world, you have people doing the same--they are your mystics and prophets--engaging in spiritual practice, accelerating their wisdom, expanding their consciousness, transcending judgment and radiating love into the world. You might be in that category.,."
Stewart does one of his choking, ahem things, putting his hand over his mouth. "Out of the question," he says frankly. "I thrive on judgment."
"Good to know yourself. You're all evolving at different rates. In the fall, when you look at a maple tree, you see leaves that are green, yellow, orange and red. They don't all change at the same time. And that's what makes life exciting. You all know different things. That's why you need each other. Like that guy Ken Wilbur said, "You're all right, only partly so."
Stewart nods his head in agreement, tapping his pencil on the table again.
"But back to Gandhi. I agree with what he said, but I'll say it a different way, just to shake things up a bit, which I love to do. By the way, it'd make a great bumper sticker:
Be the God you want to see in the world."
"Oh-oh, sounds blasphemous to me," says Stewart.
"You know as well as I do, every good idea starts out as a blasphemy."
"OK, great, we're out of time," says Stewart, as the camera swings over for a shot of the audience. They're all standing, some crying and laughing at the same time, the most incredible look of collective awe I've ever seen. And Jesus walks over like Jay Leno and starts shaking hands with them. What a night!"
Jan Phillips
September 3, 2010
Jon Stewart is noted for his right on "comedy" reporting, the only news I really follow besides reading my local paper. Jon is excellent. I do not believe that this is an actual show but the author uses the format to be "right on!" about issues of the day. The theology is impeccable from where I sit. It reminds me of an author Fr. Joe....who wrote many books putting Jesus into historical situations and how he would live and respond.
Jon Stewart asks Jesus about Mosque Ground Zero
I woke up last night to the sound of laughing and realized I'd fallen asleep with the TV on. It was 3 AM and I knew it was Jon Stewart but I had to fumble around for my glasses to see who his guest was. Unbelievable! It was Jesus, in his robe and all. His nose was bigger than I thought, his skin a lot darker, but his eyes were more piercing than I'd ever imagined. It was like light came out instead of going into them.
John was making some joke about both of them being Jews and Jesus, after laughing harder than I thought he would, said quite seriously to Jon, "Yeah, that's one of the weirdest things, isn't it? How could they forget that?"
Jon was all over him with questions from the daily news. What was his take on the whole Mosque/Ground Zero fiasco? Jesus said he'd seen some newscasts on the story and couldn't believe the drama and fear it was bringing up. "They want to build a public building for prayer, education and community gathering. That's a good thing. A better thing perhaps, would be the construction of an interfaith building, There's room for everyone, and it's these distinctions between religions that's causing all the problems in the first place."
Jon looked incredulous. "An interfaith building??"
"Yes, a multi-tasking mosque, with a synagogue, chapel and meditation hall in it. A building where people of different faiths come together to make a better world together. That's the point of religion right? It's not about doctrine. It's a plan for action, an opportunity to be a communal force for good. Religion is just the map. Faith is the real adventure."
"I don't know...." said Stewart, making one of those funny mouth movements he does after hearing a strange idea.
Jesus pipes in, "What could be better in that spot than a building that represents, by its very structure, a coming together, a new vision that goes beyond religious borders? It's like taking a good idea and making it great. The real prophets of the day know this. Where are their voices? Why aren't you interviewing them?"
"Hmm, I thought I was," says Stewart, tapping his pencil on the desk.
"You know why you have border issues here? Because you believe the borders are real, like they MEAN something. Muslin against Christian, Mexican against American, Republican against Democrat--all those borders are made up. You put up walls to defend your ideas--and not even your OWN, but ideas passed down to you from someone else--and then you make other people look like demons. It's no wonder this country is in a state of collapse. You don't even get it how connected you are. You're like five fingers on a hand who think they're separate and make up reasons why not to get along."
Jon sat there with his mouth open.
"You're like children playing war games. You spend all your time, all your energy attacking the "other side" instead of realizing you need to bridge the two sides in order to get across to a higher level of thinking. Even news shows are at war. Look at how you make fun of FOX. What light does that add to the world? All the time you could be giving to real visionaries, all the ways you could be role-modeling good behavior, showing the audience how it really WORKS to bring great and opposing minds together, and you sit there poking fun at another station. That's really enlightened, isn't it?"
This was the first time I'd ever seen Jon Stewart speechless. He looked like an embarrassed 6th grader. No pencil tapping now. More like a puppy with his tail between his legs.
"What in the world are you people doing? The ones who call themselves "religious" are often the most immature, the most judgmental and intolerant. What is THAT about? That's exactly the opposite of what every religion teaches. And I mean EVERY religion," Jesus said, as he looked away from Stewart and spoke right to the camera.
"All the religions say two basic things," he said, holding up his fingers in a peace sign.
"First, there is no distance between you and this one you call God. God is the creative force behind all things. It's invisible, but you are the manifestation of it. I'm telling you, the Sistine Chapel should have been a mirror."
The audience laughs, but Stewart stares into those deep eyes of the Nazarene.
He goes on, " You are the eyes, the hands, the feet of that creative force. That energy is in you. It's called your breath." He holds up his index finger and taps on it a few times. "That's the first thing. Don't think there's some man out there pulling strings. Grow up. This civilization--if you can call it that--is YOUR creation. This earth, it is not a bunch of resources to be exploited. It is not to be owned. It is your mother, the womb that you sprang from. You are its consciousness, its neural cells. The whole earth is the organism that you belong to. You did not come down to earth, you came up from earth, as I did. Its well-being is in your hands. Can you be proud of what you're doing? Are you going to be the ones who kill it off, after all that talk about pro-life?"
Jesus was getting a little worked up, like that day he stormed through the temple turning over the merchants' tables. Jon cut to a commercial, "And we'll be right back to hear the 2nd basic thing from our guest tonight, ladies and gentlemen, the Jewish prophet Jesus of Nazareth. Stay tuned..." They were laughing about something when they returned from the commercial, Jesus stretched out in his chair with his long lanky legs covered by his tunic, his sandaled feet hidden under the desk.
"OK," Jon says, "You were saying there were two things. Let me see if I got this right. There's no bearded guy up there on a cloud. That God we talk about and fight over is the creative force inside us and around us? It's invisible and we're like....(a long pause) its shadow?"
"Not exactly," says Jesus. We're like the physical form of the same energy. The ice cube version of water or steam. Same elements, different form. The sea and the iceberg. You're all icebergs in the Sea of God," he said, half-laughing at his own quaint metaphor. "But the problem is you don't realize that underneath it all, you're all connected. There's just one big iceberg with a lot of tips. The truth is, you're Creation continuing the co-creation of Itself."
"Oh my," says Stewart. "Let's leave that discussion to Bill Moyers, What about number two? What's the number two thing we're supposed to know?"
Jesus holds up his two fingers again, tapping the tip of his middle finger. The camera zoomed in so closely on him I could see a scar on his forehead. "It's not so much what you need to know--that's part of the problem, all these peoples' belief systems. That's what gets you in trouble. No one has to believe in me to get to heaven. A...there is no heaven to get to and B, it's not what you believe but how you act that matters. If anyone learned anything from reading that Bible they should have picked up that one. There's 3000 references to helping the poor in there. But let me get back..."
"Yes," says Stewart. "The second thing.."
"The second thing is this: forget everything you ever learned in any holy book and just treat everyone like a brother and a sister. I mean that literally. If it were your brother coming across the border...your sister with cancer and no health care....your child unable to get an education....your mother with no food in her house. And even further, your brother who was gay or hated gays, your sister who was a corrupt politician, your brother who bombed an abortion clinic, your sister who got an abortion. What does it look like to love unconditionally? To bridge differences, to come together over what we can agree on? Can you get through one day without thinking you're better or less than another? That's the thing to strive for. That is living faithfully."
"But...but..." says Stewart. "What about the Tea Partyers, the terrorists, what about Fox News and hate crimes?"
"If you think they are so different from you, be the opposite of what you think they are and enact that powerfully in the world. Don't focus on who's wrong. Just be a greater force for good."
"Not focus on who's wrong? How could I do my show?"
"Exactly. Remember what Gandhi said? Be the change you want to see in the world?"
"Sure. I have that quotation on my refrigerator."
"Well, it's time to take it further. You're evolving as a people. You've come through the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the wrongly named Period of Enlightenment. You're now in the Information Age. You are growing your consciousness. In the physical world, you have Olympic marathon trainers who run 10 miles or more a day. They spend every waking hour in training, eating the right foods, researching the right clothing and equipment, working out, following a discipline. And in the metaphysical world, the spiritual world, you have people doing the same--they are your mystics and prophets--engaging in spiritual practice, accelerating their wisdom, expanding their consciousness, transcending judgment and radiating love into the world. You might be in that category.,."
Stewart does one of his choking, ahem things, putting his hand over his mouth. "Out of the question," he says frankly. "I thrive on judgment."
"Good to know yourself. You're all evolving at different rates. In the fall, when you look at a maple tree, you see leaves that are green, yellow, orange and red. They don't all change at the same time. And that's what makes life exciting. You all know different things. That's why you need each other. Like that guy Ken Wilbur said, "You're all right, only partly so."
Stewart nods his head in agreement, tapping his pencil on the table again.
"But back to Gandhi. I agree with what he said, but I'll say it a different way, just to shake things up a bit, which I love to do. By the way, it'd make a great bumper sticker:
Be the God you want to see in the world."
"Oh-oh, sounds blasphemous to me," says Stewart.
"You know as well as I do, every good idea starts out as a blasphemy."
"OK, great, we're out of time," says Stewart, as the camera swings over for a shot of the audience. They're all standing, some crying and laughing at the same time, the most incredible look of collective awe I've ever seen. And Jesus walks over like Jay Leno and starts shaking hands with them. What a night!"
Jan Phillips
September 3, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Three Things to be Grateful For
A beautiful day here in Lexington.
I slept in a little, got up read the paper, talked to my sister for an hour.
Took Donna who is looking at RCWP to the Spiritual Growth Network meeting which she enjoyed very much. The spiritual experience is diverse from OSB to shaman.
1. I am grateful for beautiful fall days with blue skies and pots of annuals still blooming.
2. I am grateful for circles of spiritual seekers coming together to share from their collective years of wisdom living in the Mystery who is God.
3. I am happy for a day free from challenging pain because of the degenerative arthritis in my lower back.
Many blessings in the week ahead, both personal and work.
I slept in a little, got up read the paper, talked to my sister for an hour.
Took Donna who is looking at RCWP to the Spiritual Growth Network meeting which she enjoyed very much. The spiritual experience is diverse from OSB to shaman.
1. I am grateful for beautiful fall days with blue skies and pots of annuals still blooming.
2. I am grateful for circles of spiritual seekers coming together to share from their collective years of wisdom living in the Mystery who is God.
3. I am happy for a day free from challenging pain because of the degenerative arthritis in my lower back.
Many blessings in the week ahead, both personal and work.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Three Things to be Grateful For
Today is Thursday in Lexington, soon the world equestrian games will begin. The trees and grass are totally stressed by the drought. I doubt there will be spring flowers on the trees next year as the next two months are Lex's driest in a good year.
I am grateful for:
1. My Godmother Aunt Therese who called to see how I was doing with second opinions etc. I told her that I was thinking of moving to be near Lisa as my 70's are looking to be filled with surgeries, some less major some more. Plus who knows what health care issues will arise.
2. For my first water aerobics class at the YMCA. I think I must be very diligent about not bending at the waist. So I could not do all the exercises but I got out of the water and my legs were like jelly! So I had a good work out.
3. For Peace vigilers all over the world who since 9/11 have come together week after week to say "no to war."
I have periods when my lower right side and leg really are filled with discomfort. Some shooting pains but I can't predict when that will happen, that is what move causes them. I have trouble falling asleep because I can't get comfortable at night. I take and Advil and natural muscle relaxers which help eventually. I think of my mother frequently as she suffered from arthritis and Paget's bone disease. I feel exactly like her when I am so stiff and can't move. It was genetics that got me here but I know I am more like mother emotionally and physically than I ever thought for all the years I said, "I don't want to be like her" I know I am very much like her. So I seek healing and peace for both of us.
I am grateful for:
1. My Godmother Aunt Therese who called to see how I was doing with second opinions etc. I told her that I was thinking of moving to be near Lisa as my 70's are looking to be filled with surgeries, some less major some more. Plus who knows what health care issues will arise.
2. For my first water aerobics class at the YMCA. I think I must be very diligent about not bending at the waist. So I could not do all the exercises but I got out of the water and my legs were like jelly! So I had a good work out.
3. For Peace vigilers all over the world who since 9/11 have come together week after week to say "no to war."
I have periods when my lower right side and leg really are filled with discomfort. Some shooting pains but I can't predict when that will happen, that is what move causes them. I have trouble falling asleep because I can't get comfortable at night. I take and Advil and natural muscle relaxers which help eventually. I think of my mother frequently as she suffered from arthritis and Paget's bone disease. I feel exactly like her when I am so stiff and can't move. It was genetics that got me here but I know I am more like mother emotionally and physically than I ever thought for all the years I said, "I don't want to be like her" I know I am very much like her. So I seek healing and peace for both of us.
Monday, September 6, 2010
And this is Why Rome Ordered the Investigation of the Nuns.
The good Sisters of many orders taught us the vision of Vatican II for the People of God with their lives. Many Orders only in the USA are under official investigation by Rome. An opinion of one of them is this commentary on Rome equating women's ordination with pedophilia. I have removed her name from the article.
New list of 'grave crimes' belies intent
It is regrettable that the crime of clergy sexual abuse of minors was linked with the issue of women’s ordination in the Vatican’s recent revised list of “more grave crimes.” No matter how much Msgr. Charles Scicluna, the promoter of justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, claims that these revised norms “send a clear signal that the church is serious about protecting children and punishing abusive priests,” the linking of these two unrelated issues seriously undermines the intended strong stance on clerical sexual abuse on at least three counts.
First, it appears to be a diversionary tactic, deflecting attention away from the seriousness of the crime of clerical sexual abuse of minors. To many, it will once again seem to be an attempt at cover-up on the part of the hierarchy.
Second, the fact that punishment is more severe for priests who support women’s ordination (excommunication) than it is for priests who rape children (no excommunication) again appears to mask the seriousness of sexual abuse. What moral grounds can possibly justify milder punishment for committing sexual sins against children than for believing that women, created in the image and likeness of God, can validly represent the risen Lord in the faith community?
(Furthermore, the timing of this extremely negative decree on the ordination question reflects a rather callous insensitivity to the feelings of Catholic women, already in deep pain over the official ban placed on discussion of the topic. Are we to believe that all this is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit?)
Third, this soft-pedaling of the sexual abuse issue will seriously weaken the teaching voice of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. As our official teachers and guides, they are to adhere to the centuries old principle of sensus fidelium and listen to the people they are called to serve. If they were doing so, they would hear the pain of the victims of clerical sexual abuse without obfuscating the issue by linking it with the topic of women’s ordination.
For those of us who love our church, it hurts to see the already eroded credibility of church leaders become even more eroded by this apparent glossing over of the heinous crime of sexual abuse of children.
Furthermore, it is disheartening to see the teaching authority of our leaders undermined by their own actions which seemingly distort the Gospel message of Jesus.
May I point out respectfully that the treatment recommended by Jesus for those who scandalize little ones was fastening a great millstone around their neck and having them drowned in the depth of the sea (Mt. 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk. 17:2), while in selecting proclaimers of the all-important good news of the resurrection, Jesus chose women.
This is more evidence for me that substantiates the rightness of our becoming ordained at this time. We must speak truth to power.
New list of 'grave crimes' belies intent
It is regrettable that the crime of clergy sexual abuse of minors was linked with the issue of women’s ordination in the Vatican’s recent revised list of “more grave crimes.” No matter how much Msgr. Charles Scicluna, the promoter of justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, claims that these revised norms “send a clear signal that the church is serious about protecting children and punishing abusive priests,” the linking of these two unrelated issues seriously undermines the intended strong stance on clerical sexual abuse on at least three counts.
First, it appears to be a diversionary tactic, deflecting attention away from the seriousness of the crime of clerical sexual abuse of minors. To many, it will once again seem to be an attempt at cover-up on the part of the hierarchy.
Second, the fact that punishment is more severe for priests who support women’s ordination (excommunication) than it is for priests who rape children (no excommunication) again appears to mask the seriousness of sexual abuse. What moral grounds can possibly justify milder punishment for committing sexual sins against children than for believing that women, created in the image and likeness of God, can validly represent the risen Lord in the faith community?
(Furthermore, the timing of this extremely negative decree on the ordination question reflects a rather callous insensitivity to the feelings of Catholic women, already in deep pain over the official ban placed on discussion of the topic. Are we to believe that all this is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit?)
Third, this soft-pedaling of the sexual abuse issue will seriously weaken the teaching voice of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. As our official teachers and guides, they are to adhere to the centuries old principle of sensus fidelium and listen to the people they are called to serve. If they were doing so, they would hear the pain of the victims of clerical sexual abuse without obfuscating the issue by linking it with the topic of women’s ordination.
For those of us who love our church, it hurts to see the already eroded credibility of church leaders become even more eroded by this apparent glossing over of the heinous crime of sexual abuse of children.
Furthermore, it is disheartening to see the teaching authority of our leaders undermined by their own actions which seemingly distort the Gospel message of Jesus.
May I point out respectfully that the treatment recommended by Jesus for those who scandalize little ones was fastening a great millstone around their neck and having them drowned in the depth of the sea (Mt. 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk. 17:2), while in selecting proclaimers of the all-important good news of the resurrection, Jesus chose women.
This is more evidence for me that substantiates the rightness of our becoming ordained at this time. We must speak truth to power.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Three Things to be Grateful For
Today was the perfect late summer day in Lexington. Sunshine, in the 70's nary a cloud in the sky.
I continue to get feedback from folks for/against fusion surgery. I have my appointments so I will go through the process of collecting information and following what my body says. I appreciate that everyone is saying, "It is your body; you have to do what works for you." Right now if I sit for any length of time I am totally stiff when I try to get up. My right leg feels weak oftentimes. I am hoping PT can help with that.
1. I am grateful for beautiful sunshine days.
2. I am grateful for friends who share their experiences with back surgery.
3. I am grateful for bouquets of flowers that grace my table with the bright beauty.
At the Spiritual Group Network tonight I told my story and everyone had something to say, a paradox as Ray said, "Listening to the troubles, makes me feel better." I told him that it was helping him relativize or put into context what he was feeling. I think he struggles with regret over what he had done earlier in life. Don't we all have things we judge, "I wish I hadn't done that, I would change it if I could."
I am happy for each day, I have times in the day when my body is comfortable. It is enough. I enjoy immersing myself in the beauty of creation and that means I am one with the Creator who made it all, humans, flowers, sun, moon, stars and universes without end. The First Day of Creation is happening throughout the universes.
I continue to get feedback from folks for/against fusion surgery. I have my appointments so I will go through the process of collecting information and following what my body says. I appreciate that everyone is saying, "It is your body; you have to do what works for you." Right now if I sit for any length of time I am totally stiff when I try to get up. My right leg feels weak oftentimes. I am hoping PT can help with that.
1. I am grateful for beautiful sunshine days.
2. I am grateful for friends who share their experiences with back surgery.
3. I am grateful for bouquets of flowers that grace my table with the bright beauty.
At the Spiritual Group Network tonight I told my story and everyone had something to say, a paradox as Ray said, "Listening to the troubles, makes me feel better." I told him that it was helping him relativize or put into context what he was feeling. I think he struggles with regret over what he had done earlier in life. Don't we all have things we judge, "I wish I hadn't done that, I would change it if I could."
I am happy for each day, I have times in the day when my body is comfortable. It is enough. I enjoy immersing myself in the beauty of creation and that means I am one with the Creator who made it all, humans, flowers, sun, moon, stars and universes without end. The First Day of Creation is happening throughout the universes.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Three Things to be Grateful For
I am grateful for:
1. Friends who walk the spiritual journey with me.
2. AlAnon and the good the meetings do in supporting emotional and spiritual growth.
3. Beautiful fall-ish days in September. A visit to the Farmer's Market brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers to grace my table this week.
1. Friends who walk the spiritual journey with me.
2. AlAnon and the good the meetings do in supporting emotional and spiritual growth.
3. Beautiful fall-ish days in September. A visit to the Farmer's Market brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers to grace my table this week.
Attended an Inspiring AlAnon Meeting This Morning.
I attend a meeting/called "room" for Al Anon each Sat morning here in Lexington.
Today was exceptional.
The format is the reading of the 12 steps, a short reading or presentation by a facilitator and opening the floor for sharing amongst the 30 members present. This morning was intense for the first person who shared spoke of her children, her ex spouse and the lies he is telling. Her child is struggling in school. She wept so hard that I could not hear all her words. We knew she was in great pain and suffering from his attacks. I was not the only person crying in the room by the time she completed her sharing.
Some of the sharing:
1. The need to detach in love to protect oneself.
2. What the alcoholic does is on "his side of the street."
3. Codependency may continue after divorce.
4. A sharing that made us laugh "I am so in need of helping the other. One day I found an 80 year old man and gave him an enema" Our faces I am sure expressed our "What??" She responded with "I am a RN" We laughed with a whole lot of relief!
5. Children are resilient if given the chance, support and information.
6. One mother shared how she helped her six year old express and discuss her anger.
7. Miracles occur: one woman's ex is now sober 21 months and good father to his 3 daughters.
8. Over and over sharing included the need for trust in our God/higher power, not only our higher power, but that of each of our family members. God has a plan for each person's life and we must not get in the way.
9. Over and over the role of a sponsor working with the AlAnon member was affirmed and thanks were shared.
God is present in each of our lives. For me it is the God of Evolution, calling us forth to create a more human life and species. AlAnon is a very supportive process for finding our true selves in the midst of chaos and living our very best selves. Thanks to Bob and Bill the founders of AlAnon and to his wife who founded AlAnon.
Today was exceptional.
The format is the reading of the 12 steps, a short reading or presentation by a facilitator and opening the floor for sharing amongst the 30 members present. This morning was intense for the first person who shared spoke of her children, her ex spouse and the lies he is telling. Her child is struggling in school. She wept so hard that I could not hear all her words. We knew she was in great pain and suffering from his attacks. I was not the only person crying in the room by the time she completed her sharing.
Some of the sharing:
1. The need to detach in love to protect oneself.
2. What the alcoholic does is on "his side of the street."
3. Codependency may continue after divorce.
4. A sharing that made us laugh "I am so in need of helping the other. One day I found an 80 year old man and gave him an enema" Our faces I am sure expressed our "What??" She responded with "I am a RN" We laughed with a whole lot of relief!
5. Children are resilient if given the chance, support and information.
6. One mother shared how she helped her six year old express and discuss her anger.
7. Miracles occur: one woman's ex is now sober 21 months and good father to his 3 daughters.
8. Over and over sharing included the need for trust in our God/higher power, not only our higher power, but that of each of our family members. God has a plan for each person's life and we must not get in the way.
9. Over and over the role of a sponsor working with the AlAnon member was affirmed and thanks were shared.
God is present in each of our lives. For me it is the God of Evolution, calling us forth to create a more human life and species. AlAnon is a very supportive process for finding our true selves in the midst of chaos and living our very best selves. Thanks to Bob and Bill the founders of AlAnon and to his wife who founded AlAnon.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
My health care needs: Three Surgeries in my Future II
I have begun to do research about the condition of my back and hip.
I believe that as this back problem is not life threatening I want to explore all options, timing, effects on myself.
I am looking into the possibility of moving to Tampa to be near my daughter not only for this surgery after care but because I can see two more surgeries: hip replacement and cataract surgery probably within the next 5 years. I want to get into the medical system that I will be busy using it looks like in my 70's.
Get to know the services available, find decent housing, build a support network via CTA and RCWP. I love the green of KY but I need to know Lisa would be able to oversee my care if needed.
I have appointments with my internist,integrative medicine MD to ask him, "What do I need to know/find out? What would he recommend to his mother?"
I have an appointment with the surgeon for CT results and more questions.
I have an appointment with a Rehab MD to see what I should be doing now to maintain health and what should I do after surgery to maintain health.
Where is God?
God is with me and in me and all the medical professionals whom I will meet.
God is with me in the caring office staff, the medical technicians and all others who are kind to this Senior.
I am grateful to God for my life till now and for the blessings of each day!
It sounds like the surface but I ask you to do a Fourth Step exercise:
For each letter of the alphabet, name something your are grateful for.
I think the exercise will take you deeper into thankfulness for many things that we take for granted.
I believe that as this back problem is not life threatening I want to explore all options, timing, effects on myself.
I am looking into the possibility of moving to Tampa to be near my daughter not only for this surgery after care but because I can see two more surgeries: hip replacement and cataract surgery probably within the next 5 years. I want to get into the medical system that I will be busy using it looks like in my 70's.
Get to know the services available, find decent housing, build a support network via CTA and RCWP. I love the green of KY but I need to know Lisa would be able to oversee my care if needed.
I have appointments with my internist,integrative medicine MD to ask him, "What do I need to know/find out? What would he recommend to his mother?"
I have an appointment with the surgeon for CT results and more questions.
I have an appointment with a Rehab MD to see what I should be doing now to maintain health and what should I do after surgery to maintain health.
Where is God?
God is with me and in me and all the medical professionals whom I will meet.
God is with me in the caring office staff, the medical technicians and all others who are kind to this Senior.
I am grateful to God for my life till now and for the blessings of each day!
It sounds like the surface but I ask you to do a Fourth Step exercise:
For each letter of the alphabet, name something your are grateful for.
I think the exercise will take you deeper into thankfulness for many things that we take for granted.
Three Things to be Grateful For
I spent time on the Fourth Step out in the beautiful woods and hills of East Central Ky this morning. I am grateful for:
1. A flock of wild turkeys that was in the gravel road back to my friends' home in the woods.
2. For ironweed, a beautiful royal purple prairie flower that can grow up to 10 feet tall. And butterflies love it. I took photos today to remember its beauty as I had never seen it in MI, IL or VA or on any travels across America.
3. For Kroger and its baked whole chicken, so easy to pick up and eat!
1. A flock of wild turkeys that was in the gravel road back to my friends' home in the woods.
2. For ironweed, a beautiful royal purple prairie flower that can grow up to 10 feet tall. And butterflies love it. I took photos today to remember its beauty as I had never seen it in MI, IL or VA or on any travels across America.
3. For Kroger and its baked whole chicken, so easy to pick up and eat!
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