So much to explore, so much to be thankful for….

Ron

I resolve everyday that I will meditate and contemplate so as to remain close to The Spirit of God. Sometimes I succeed. More often than not, I succeed for a few minutes, get up from my meditation chair and the things of this world pull me away from being “mindful” and I lose “touch.”

It seems to me that it should be an easier thing for me than it is for those who must remain in the “work” world, since I am retired and can rope myself off from the many stresses Marg talks of. Even so, it is still hard for me to remain in a state of mindfulness. I disappoint myself so often and feel badly that I do not use the freedom and the Graces God has given me to keep myself in a state of mindfulness.

It is getting easier, Father, since having discovered your Blog and feeling the benefits of your work and the input of all those who accompany you in your belief that, “…people for others will, quite literally, make the world a better place.”

I thank you Father, and also all who accompany you and contribute to this site to help open doors to a new and deeper understanding of the meaning of “community” and the practical benefits of remaining mindful. It is making my world a better place.

Ron

I have read many of the books by Thich Nhat Hanh on mindfulness. He presents things in such a simple way. You say to yourself, “Why not?” Clearly easier said than done. So I practice, practice, practice. But the world and the stress of it often gets in the way. I think I will practice today. I haven’t in awhile. And I think I could use a little practice. Stress has been off the charts, my appreciation of the simple good things in my life has been low. Thanks for the reminder.

M.

It’s amazing how when a church community suffers persecution the faith of the people is deepened. I found that in Malaysia where the church doesn’t have it too easy – people’s faith is so deep and joyous. In Australia a great many people have lost their faith without even realising, things are seemingly so easy here. Yet below the surface… “So the faith was planted: So it must be restored.”

I’m Ron. I was happy to see your footnote. I suspected that such would be the case Eric, such being your observation: “…when I have been in England it struck me that Guy Fawkes Day is less a vindictive remembrance of an evil man and more a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the notion of Parliament being blown up.” I was not completely sure though and I do thank you for enlightening me.

I sometimes have a dark sense of humour and my funnies get taken seriously when they, also, are said with tongue-in-cheek.

I agree with you completely when you say, “I believe in praying for and joining with our fellow Christians in sharing our faith.” In point of fact, I was very happy to hear recently of our Good Pope Benedict reaching out to Protestants.

In my daily morning prayers, I pray “for our Church and for all people of good faith and will in every religion on earth.” I did actually get off to a “tilted” start today Eric, and was too quick to jump to conclusions.

However I was not set in my conclusion about Guy Fawkes Day and thank you for “straightening” my balance a little further today.

I was happy to note that Father Paul sometimes gets “titled” too and wish all of us to have the balance that the Jesuits — along with all those in company with Father Paul through his Blog — to have only the best of days for each one of us and all of ours.

Have a great day Eric, and Father Paul, and ya’ll.

Ron