Don't Worry...Be Happy!
In the summer time I like to participate in a lot of different outdoor activities. During the winter I usually go to the gym and do pretty much the same routine, but in the summer, well that's when things begin to change! I will do almost anything outdoors, walk, run, play tennis, swim, boat, hike, bike ride, well, you get the picture...I've really been enjoying this summer, why?
The other day I was sitting outside watching my son play soccer in the front yard and it dawned on me. I have been home for two whole summers! Wow! It was amazing to think that, especially since I have worked my whole teen and adult life. I thought, "who am I that I get to have this incredible luxury?" That's what it is you know? Some people would look at being off of work as a punishment or curse from God, but me, I look at it like it is a blessing! Never in my life have I EVER been able to just sit on the porch and watch my kids play in the yard. They are teenagers now, but when they were little I used to dream about being able to stay home with them.
So, I was talking to one of my girl friends who was telling me about her brother. She was saying that he has a great job but everyday he worries about losing it. Another friend was saying that she is so stressed at work because they are laying people off and she can't sleep at night for fear of losing her job. Don't get me wrong, I stress myself out too. I am always like, "what the heck do you want me do God!!" But I had to laugh because I noticed that people are never happy, those who have jobs worry everyday about losing them and people who are out of work worry everyday about getting one. We are never happy. No matter what is going on in our lives we are always worrying.
I am disappointed in myself when I worry because in my 45 years on this earth God has NEVER let me down, yet I still don't believe He will do the right thing by me sometimes. We are SO cynical! What's in gonna take to finally trust...50 years! God will provide in His perfect time. My angst and worry won't make things happen faster or better. If we rush things we usually end up taking a direction that we ultimately will hate! During this time off of work I discovered that maybe I am called to move on to something REALLY new in my life, something exciting, something I would have never discovered if this opportunity hadn't been here. This fall I am enrolling in the Pastoral Ministry program with the Diocese of Cleveland. I have made it past all of the hurdles to be accepted except one. My final meeting with the Pastoral Ministry board is on July 28th, that is the finally step in this long and arduous process, but when it's over I hope to be embarking on a whole new life for myself, my family, and the community.
I am looking forward to starting something new, a new "career" if you will, but before I do, I promise you that I am going to enjoy every single second God has given me to enjoy this day! I know that once I start school I will long to have these wonderful summer days back, so I better enjoy them.
The moral of this story is to remind you that today is all that matters. What you make of this day is the most important thing because you will NEVER get this moment back. So take time if you can to sit on the porch, or go for walk, and don't turn down anyone's invitation to do something fun today. When you have faith your world becomes half-full rather than half-empty. Faith requires us to remember what God has done for you in the past and trusting that He will be there for you again. So enjoy what He has given you today. And if that doesn't help try reflecting on these quotes:
- Henry S. Sutton______________________________________________________________________
Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. - Lao Tse ______________________________________________________________________
A smile is the beginning of peace. - Mother Teresa ______________________________________________________________________
Whenever you are sincerely pleased, you are nourished. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
______________________________________________________________________
End each day with thoughts of peace. Begin each day with
thoughts of peace. Continue thinking thoughts of peace
throughout your precious day and happiness will be yours. ______________________________________________________________________
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by
which we arrive at that goal.
- Martin Luther King, Jr ______________________________________________________________________
When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up
behind us and the future slowly unravels before us. - Rev Richard Levy
______________________________________________________________________
Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation. - Stephen C. Paul
______________________________________________________________________
Life is lived in the present. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is
yet to be. Today is the miracle. ______________________________________________________________________
It's not the tragedies that kill us. It's the messes. - Dorothy Parker______________________________________________________________________
Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life
around it. - Brian Tracy______________________________________________________________________
Nothing is worth more than this day. - Goethe______________________________________________________________________
The other day I was sitting outside watching my son play soccer in the front yard and it dawned on me. I have been home for two whole summers! Wow! It was amazing to think that, especially since I have worked my whole teen and adult life. I thought, "who am I that I get to have this incredible luxury?" That's what it is you know? Some people would look at being off of work as a punishment or curse from God, but me, I look at it like it is a blessing! Never in my life have I EVER been able to just sit on the porch and watch my kids play in the yard. They are teenagers now, but when they were little I used to dream about being able to stay home with them.
So, I was talking to one of my girl friends who was telling me about her brother. She was saying that he has a great job but everyday he worries about losing it. Another friend was saying that she is so stressed at work because they are laying people off and she can't sleep at night for fear of losing her job. Don't get me wrong, I stress myself out too. I am always like, "what the heck do you want me do God!!" But I had to laugh because I noticed that people are never happy, those who have jobs worry everyday about losing them and people who are out of work worry everyday about getting one. We are never happy. No matter what is going on in our lives we are always worrying.
I am disappointed in myself when I worry because in my 45 years on this earth God has NEVER let me down, yet I still don't believe He will do the right thing by me sometimes. We are SO cynical! What's in gonna take to finally trust...50 years! God will provide in His perfect time. My angst and worry won't make things happen faster or better. If we rush things we usually end up taking a direction that we ultimately will hate! During this time off of work I discovered that maybe I am called to move on to something REALLY new in my life, something exciting, something I would have never discovered if this opportunity hadn't been here. This fall I am enrolling in the Pastoral Ministry program with the Diocese of Cleveland. I have made it past all of the hurdles to be accepted except one. My final meeting with the Pastoral Ministry board is on July 28th, that is the finally step in this long and arduous process, but when it's over I hope to be embarking on a whole new life for myself, my family, and the community.
I am looking forward to starting something new, a new "career" if you will, but before I do, I promise you that I am going to enjoy every single second God has given me to enjoy this day! I know that once I start school I will long to have these wonderful summer days back, so I better enjoy them.
The moral of this story is to remind you that today is all that matters. What you make of this day is the most important thing because you will NEVER get this moment back. So take time if you can to sit on the porch, or go for walk, and don't turn down anyone's invitation to do something fun today. When you have faith your world becomes half-full rather than half-empty. Faith requires us to remember what God has done for you in the past and trusting that He will be there for you again. So enjoy what He has given you today. And if that doesn't help try reflecting on these quotes:
Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm - it comes from becoming still - in
order to reflect and meditate on our inner wisdom and receive answers. A
peaceful heart is one that is free from worry and trouble. It's becoming quiet
so we can look at things quietly so we can more clearly understand them and
thus come up with creative solutions. It is learning to live in the present.
order to reflect and meditate on our inner wisdom and receive answers. A
peaceful heart is one that is free from worry and trouble. It's becoming quiet
so we can look at things quietly so we can more clearly understand them and
thus come up with creative solutions. It is learning to live in the present.
How beautiful it is to be alive!
- Henry S. Sutton______________________________________________________________________
Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. - Lao Tse ______________________________________________________________________
A smile is the beginning of peace. - Mother Teresa ______________________________________________________________________
Whenever you are sincerely pleased, you are nourished. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
______________________________________________________________________
End each day with thoughts of peace. Begin each day with
thoughts of peace. Continue thinking thoughts of peace
throughout your precious day and happiness will be yours. ______________________________________________________________________
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by
which we arrive at that goal.
- Martin Luther King, Jr ______________________________________________________________________
When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up
behind us and the future slowly unravels before us. - Rev Richard Levy
______________________________________________________________________
Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation. - Stephen C. Paul
______________________________________________________________________
Life is lived in the present. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is
yet to be. Today is the miracle. ______________________________________________________________________
It's not the tragedies that kill us. It's the messes. - Dorothy Parker______________________________________________________________________
Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life
around it. - Brian Tracy______________________________________________________________________
Nothing is worth more than this day. - Goethe______________________________________________________________________
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