When was the last time you had a good confession? Or any confession at all for that matter. It can be so easy to put the out of routine spiritual sacraments on the back burner, but they really need to be placed as a priority.
It's funny how ignorant we can be sometimes. We wander around complaining about why we are so grumpy or why we can't seem to move forward spiritually or even overcome the bad habits we've acquired in life, but then we ignore the graces that God has placed right in front of us, available at least weekly. We continue to in our day to day struggles trying to carry these giant or little burdens of sin believing that it is easier to carry the sin and live life rather than confessing them to God and letting them go and living life. Now which is easier to you? Doing everything you have to do all day carrying 10 bricks on your back or carrying none? I know that when I receive the sacrament of reconciliation I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I also feel a sense of freedom and the ability to overcome my struggles so much easier. Why is that? Because of the grace that is received in the sacrament.
You may or may not be Catholic reading this. If you are...take the time to go to confession, it will do you a world of good. If not, take the time to offer a special time to God to just reflect and confess your sins, or you could give Catholic confession a try once. You might be surprised how wonderful the experience is. Just call your local Catholic church and ask about their confession times. I'm sure they'd be glad to help.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It's All About Attitude!
What is your attitude today? What has it been the past week or month? Would you say overall you are pretty grateful for what you have and who is in your life? Or do you find yourself wishing for something different, something better, a permanent change? If you find yourself frequently dwelling on how everyone around you needs to change or how every situation around you is aggravating, maybe you need to look at the common denominator....YOU! Perhaps your attitude is a bit skewed and it is you who needs to change.
Sometimes I find myself blaming all those around me because my life isn't perfect, but when I really look at the heart of it, it all comes down to my own selfishness and ingratitude. When I start to live in a way that stops focusing on myself and starts focusing on those around me....life is better. Life becomes more fulfilling and more joyful. But it all begins with the choice of which attitude I want to carry each day.
Sometimes I find myself blaming all those around me because my life isn't perfect, but when I really look at the heart of it, it all comes down to my own selfishness and ingratitude. When I start to live in a way that stops focusing on myself and starts focusing on those around me....life is better. Life becomes more fulfilling and more joyful. But it all begins with the choice of which attitude I want to carry each day.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Practice
I've often had people ask me, "How do you make time for yourself?" Life can be so hectic and with so many things to do how do you do it? How do you make time to sit on the couch and watch a TV show or just read for a few minutes?
Sometimes the answer is in becoming more organized and better with time management, but mostly the answer lies in making a choice to just do it. It means you set some boundaries with those around you. You say "no" to some things so that you can say "yes" to yourself.
Many feel guilty if they were to sit and do something for themselves even if it's just for a few minutes, but in reality by spending a few minutes for yourself you are actually helping those around you. Because a few minutes to yourself can be just enough to help you regain your perspective. A few minutes could be enough to give you some needed rest so that you can be at your best. A few minutes could be all you need to change your mood.
O.k. Now you've made the decision to do a little for yourself...how do you really do it. You practice it. You just try it. Admist all the things you need to do, you stop for 10 - 15 minutes, set the timer and sit. Let everyone know that this is your time to relax and they can interrupt you when the timer goes off. It's amazing, during that time, no one in your house will starve, more and likely no one will experience any life changing event (however, make sure all the little ones are in a safe place prior to doing this). Chances are that you will not be any further behind than you were before you started. Practice this daily and you will be surprised how this will begin to feel normal and o.k. Practice!
Sometimes the answer is in becoming more organized and better with time management, but mostly the answer lies in making a choice to just do it. It means you set some boundaries with those around you. You say "no" to some things so that you can say "yes" to yourself.
Many feel guilty if they were to sit and do something for themselves even if it's just for a few minutes, but in reality by spending a few minutes for yourself you are actually helping those around you. Because a few minutes to yourself can be just enough to help you regain your perspective. A few minutes could be enough to give you some needed rest so that you can be at your best. A few minutes could be all you need to change your mood.
O.k. Now you've made the decision to do a little for yourself...how do you really do it. You practice it. You just try it. Admist all the things you need to do, you stop for 10 - 15 minutes, set the timer and sit. Let everyone know that this is your time to relax and they can interrupt you when the timer goes off. It's amazing, during that time, no one in your house will starve, more and likely no one will experience any life changing event (however, make sure all the little ones are in a safe place prior to doing this). Chances are that you will not be any further behind than you were before you started. Practice this daily and you will be surprised how this will begin to feel normal and o.k. Practice!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Stepping Stones
Do you ever look at what you have or are doing in life, and compare it to what someone else has or is doing in his or her life and think, "I wish I had that" or "I wish I was doing that"? If so, why? God's plan is perfect for each of us, regardless of our circumstances, and we must look at what we have and what we are doing as stepping stones towards where God is leading us. His plan will never be fully revealed to us unless we willingly step onto each stone and stay there a while. When God feels we are ready, he will put the next stepping stone ahead of us and it will then be time to move.
But we get impatient...we want to jump from the first stone to the last stone. Realistically, if we did that, we would fall into the creek and perhaps be carried away by the waters. We need to take God's step, one at a time! We need to be comfortable there, take a look around and see what God is offering to us in that moment. We need to praise God for where he has us and where he is leading us.
Be patient!
But we get impatient...we want to jump from the first stone to the last stone. Realistically, if we did that, we would fall into the creek and perhaps be carried away by the waters. We need to take God's step, one at a time! We need to be comfortable there, take a look around and see what God is offering to us in that moment. We need to praise God for where he has us and where he is leading us.
Be patient!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Humility
We frequently hear how humility is needed to progress in holiness, and I have really been thinking alot about humility this week. What does it mean to be humble? It's obvious that Jesus was humble and what did he do? He taught us to love and to serve. So what does it mean to serve?
When I think of a servant, I immediately think of a Butler. You know, the kind we see in a movie. What he does is crucial for the master, but he's not really a major player. He's in the background taking care of his duties, quietly. When acknowledged for his service he merely says, "Thank you". He doesn't parade around saying, "look what I did" or even try to get noticed by anyone while doing his work. He is merely there to serve his master, and he knows his purpose is to make sure the master's work can be done. He is only there to truly serve.
How often do we go about our days looking for recognition? How often do we keep score with those around us? It's tough to be humble, but the more we ask God for humility, the more opportunities he gives us to practice. "Ask and you shall recieve". God bless.
When I think of a servant, I immediately think of a Butler. You know, the kind we see in a movie. What he does is crucial for the master, but he's not really a major player. He's in the background taking care of his duties, quietly. When acknowledged for his service he merely says, "Thank you". He doesn't parade around saying, "look what I did" or even try to get noticed by anyone while doing his work. He is merely there to serve his master, and he knows his purpose is to make sure the master's work can be done. He is only there to truly serve.
How often do we go about our days looking for recognition? How often do we keep score with those around us? It's tough to be humble, but the more we ask God for humility, the more opportunities he gives us to practice. "Ask and you shall recieve". God bless.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Speak Up
How often do you allow something to happen in your life that you don't want to happen merely because you don't feel like dealing with the opposition or complaints that occur when you speak up? Most don't speak up because dealing with the complaints or oppositions just seem like too much of a hassle, or for others it's because they don't want to create waves or disturb the peace. But what is the end result of not expressing our true feelings or desires? We loose our own peace, and we are allowing our plans or our desires to be taken away from us.
Now speaking up does require a bit of discernment because we must all be flexible at times and we can't think only of our own plans and desires lest we become selfish. But to discern the matter ask yourself some questions:
1. If I'm allowing this to happen, how will I truly feel at the end of the day and are my feelings legitimate?
2.If I allow this to happen will it upset my plans so much that I won't be able to recover within a reasonable time frame?
3. If I allow this to happen, does it set a moral or immoral example for someone else?
4. Then finish this statement..."By allowing this to happen, that means that I am also allowing...___... Is that O.K.?
"By not allowing this to happen, that means that instead ....___...will occur."
Many time speaking up is a choice which means, when we don't speak up, the results or consequences of that becomes something we have chosen. So what are you choosing?
Now speaking up does require a bit of discernment because we must all be flexible at times and we can't think only of our own plans and desires lest we become selfish. But to discern the matter ask yourself some questions:
1. If I'm allowing this to happen, how will I truly feel at the end of the day and are my feelings legitimate?
2.If I allow this to happen will it upset my plans so much that I won't be able to recover within a reasonable time frame?
3. If I allow this to happen, does it set a moral or immoral example for someone else?
4. Then finish this statement..."By allowing this to happen, that means that I am also allowing...___... Is that O.K.?
"By not allowing this to happen, that means that instead ....___...will occur."
Many time speaking up is a choice which means, when we don't speak up, the results or consequences of that becomes something we have chosen. So what are you choosing?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Simplify
Before reading this post, please be sure and read the post below titled "Vacation".
So, do you feel like you need to simplify your life? Is life crazy, hectic and just plain draining you of energy? Then group coaching is just what you need to get you moving in the right direction. Learn how to identify the things that are cluttering your life and making life more complicated. Gain a clearer vision for yourself and start moving towards that vision, so that you can start enjoying life more. Learn how to take charge of your life instead of your life taking charge of you.
The next Group Coaching sessions will begin on Tuesdays nights at 7pm starting the first week of June. The class size is limited, so make sure you make your reservation ASAP. The cost is only $20 per month (for three months) plus your cost for a long distance call. For more information about the details of each session go to http://www.avenuesofgrace.com/GroupCoaching.asp?Tab=GroupCoaching. or to sign up contact me at http://www.avenuesofgrace.com/ConnectWithMarna.asp?Tab=Contact%20Marna. I hope to see you there.
So, do you feel like you need to simplify your life? Is life crazy, hectic and just plain draining you of energy? Then group coaching is just what you need to get you moving in the right direction. Learn how to identify the things that are cluttering your life and making life more complicated. Gain a clearer vision for yourself and start moving towards that vision, so that you can start enjoying life more. Learn how to take charge of your life instead of your life taking charge of you.
The next Group Coaching sessions will begin on Tuesdays nights at 7pm starting the first week of June. The class size is limited, so make sure you make your reservation ASAP. The cost is only $20 per month (for three months) plus your cost for a long distance call. For more information about the details of each session go to http://www.avenuesofgrace.com/GroupCoaching.asp?Tab=GroupCoaching. or to sign up contact me at http://www.avenuesofgrace.com/ConnectWithMarna.asp?Tab=Contact%20Marna. I hope to see you there.
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