GOD & JUDY GARLAND

By Lori Carmody

When I read this reflection by H.A. Williams, something exploded within me.  I don’t audibly hear the voice of God however sometimes when I am looking at a picture, reading a story, or am listening to a song, I "know that I know" that I need to pay attention to what is in front of me.  It’s as though the Divine has a message for me.

“Among the more unlikely occasions when a fit of awareness came upon me was in the Arts Cinema in Cambridge during the Judy Garland film A Star is Born.  I had gone to the cinema because I felt depressed and defeated.  In the story of the film Judy Garland had tried to make her mark three or four times and had failed completely on each occasion.  So discouraged was she by this succession of failures that she decided to give up all attempts at a stage career.  At this point an oddish somewhat matriarchal woman gave the defeated Judy Garland a lecture on the necessity of perseverance.  The road to success was always strewn with failures, and therefore you had to be in touch and believe in yourself so that you would get up and try again however often you failed.  The words of this matriarchal figure came to me as the voice of God.  They thrilled me.  And in the thrill I was aware of God’s presence with me in the cinema giving me new life and inspiring me with fresh courage…The matriarch’s utterance undoubtedly verged on the corny.  To speak to me deeply and powerfully by means of it seemed to me grotesquely funny.  I couldn’t deny the reality of the experience, but it was precisely its reality which made the occasion of it so hilarious.  There was no knowing where God would explode next.  On my way home I looked about me for somebody to slip on a banana skin. But nobody did.  God, apparently, had exploded enough for one day.”  ~  Some Day I’ll Find You by H. A Williams

Whether the source from where we get our guidance is called God, Yahweh, our Higher Power, energy bigger than ourselves, the Source of all, the Divine or the Universe, H.A. Williams reminds us that “there is no knowing where God will explode next.” 

I believe this is true.  Don't you? 

And yet, in order to “hear” a message, our minds can’t be making plans so far in the future that we aren’t aware of what is actually happening as it happens.  (So often where I live) Nor can we be so caught up in our memories that we lose sight of this day and this moment. 

Present moment awareness is a spiritual practice that one never completes this side of eternity.   But there is is hope!  We can take tiny steps forward each day to improve on our ability to focus on the moment.     

I have been reading Matthew Kelly’s new book Perfectly YOURSELF.  Much of it (so far) is about present moment awareness.  Here is a video from his daily Lenten reflections on the topic.   

https://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/lent-reflections-2018/a-chance-to-turn-it-all-around/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWXpCbVpXWXdZek0zTjJWbSIsInQiOiJwcWNmREVIbG1DZFBMQjk3RTh6OHFySGE4STF6M2tyTHRXQWkrcEQ2czk2XC8wR3liM1YrcEtscVdJd3FEN3J4aDM2OHc2dlwvdzFZVWE0WG91aUZxN2dSb0Z6YXlTTHNLZGRNUWdNSVdXSm5uZEVkbXQ2aHBpUTkyNnkrdjdwM1ZTIn0%3D

There is no knowing where God will explode next.  May we be present in the NOW so we don’t miss the thrill!

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#PresentMoment #Now #PerfectlyYourself #Day18

OBEY IN MARRIAGE & LENT? WHAT???

By Lori Carmody

When we hear words like obey, unselfishness, unconditional love, silence, and patience: I’m guessing that lent comes to mind before marriage even shows up on our radar.  Obey was thrown out of the marriage ceremony decades ago, right?  

Tom and I work with engaged couples at our church.  I would like to share with you an article that we sometimes give to couples we meet with if we are with them around this time of year.

LENT & MARRIAGE … perhaps a new lens to view both.

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/marriage-lent.html

Thanks for reading,

Lori

#Lent  #Marriage  #NewLens  #Cherish  #Day17

BILLY GRAHAM 1918 – 2018

By Lori Carmody 

When I was growing up, there was basically only 3 television stations - channel 4, 5, and 7.  When a Billy Graham Crusade came on TV, it would preempt whatever was on the station and, if we wanted to watch television, that is what we watched. 

Although I was quite young and not Southern Baptist, I clearly remember sitting on the floor in our living room watching Billy Graham preach to stadiums filled to overflow with enthusiastic people.  Sometimes the telecast came to my small living room from somewhere in the United States.  Other times I recall it being from countries far way.  I was stirred both by this eloquent minister’s passion and his message.  Whether Billy Graham was preaching in lofty surroundings such as at Madison Square Gardens or in poor villages in Africa, the theme of the Crusade resonated with my soul ~ God loves you. 

He began his unofficial ministry when he was 16.  His last crusade was in 2004.  Never did his message veer off this theme. 

Evangelist Billy Graham preached in 184 countries.  He also met with presidents, queens (any other Crown watchers out there?), country leaders from all over the world, religious leaders, civil rights activists, actors and regular folk.  

When asked a while back if he had any regrets, this is what he had to say, “If I had to do it over again, I’d spend more time in meditation and prayer telling the Lord how much I love him.”

I believe this giant of a man made the world a better place no matter your religion, race, or creed simply by doing what he was called to do.  Many times he was asked to run for political office and urged to run for President of the United States.  He, of course, never did.  He was steadfast in his conviction that he was called to be a minister of the Word of Jesus Christ for the people of the world.

We may not have the world as our pulpit but, just as surely as Billy Graham, we too are called in some way to make the world a better place by sharing our unique gifts.  All that is required from us is to discern our gifts and to respond to the invitation to share them with our “Yes”. 

As we reflect on the life of Billy Graham, we realize that we have been given a legend to show us how to keep saying “yes” to service throughout a lifetime. 

                                              THANK YOU, BILLY GRAHAM
Thanks for reading, 
Lori

#BillyGraham  #Crusades  #Legion  #GodLovesYou  #Day16  

APPRENTICE? ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

By Lori Carmody     

There are as many reasons that people turn to violence as there are solutions that we can consider in our quest to heal them and our world.  Although some of us feel the answers are simple, I believe we need to look at as many solutions as we can and bring to the table all the best we have to offer to support people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Along with the issues of what gun control measures we may want to legislate and what mental health programs we may want to fund, I suggest many other support networks need to come together to make fragile people whole again.

One small but not insignificant program that a friend told me about (thank you, Debra) is called APPRENTICESHIP CAREER PATHS.  I have to wonder if a program for students that may feel that college is not for them and, perhaps, have felt as though they are like square pegs in a round hole in middle and high school, may find a home in a program such as this.  Imagine the difference it could make in the emotional welfare of the student not to mention helping out the companies that need qualified workers.  Win/win. 

This Ted Talk is about 15 min long.  I encourage you to learn about the program and forward it to anyone that you think may find it helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z3Fgtj8fqk

I further encourage you to open your mind and your heart to the vast possibilities of options we have to help those who are in our circle that may need a helping hand.  I look forward to hearing your ideas as together we all imagine many ways to reach out to support and heal our brothers and sisters. 

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#ApprenticeshipCareerPaths  #Apprentice  #Working  #Day15

CRUSADE: JOY

By Lori Carmody

Yesterday, the ladies of my church had a bridal shower for this beloved one. 

To share Jill's JOY was such an honor for me.  Pus, to spend the afternoon in conversation with this circle of beautiful women who cherish relationship, faith and humor, fed my body (delicious food), mind (stirring conversation) and spirit (laughing out loud). 

In a world that seems to be consumed these days with finger pointing and finding fault with one another, it was a delight to be in the sacred space of ENJOYMENT. 

Our world can use a LITTLE SLICE OF JOY, don’t you agree? 

This week, how can each one of us 
nurture such a place of JOY 
for ourselves and perhaps for others?  
I invite us to CHOOSE JOY 
even if in the simplest of ways.  
We will be making our week 
and the world a better place.   
I promise. 
Thanks for reading.

Lori

#DoOneThing  #Joy  #TeamJill  #Day 14

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS, THEN ACTION

By Lori Carmody

I keep seeing this posted on social media.  Every time I do, I am mystified. 

It seems to me that BEFORE we make POLICY and CHANGES of any kind, we need to THINK things through and have PRAYERFUL DISCERNMENT about what the best ACTION needs to be.  Only AFTER both of these important steps – THOUGHT AND PRAYER – do we THEN do the necessary steps of making decisions on our will to take ACTIONS which will bring out POLICIES that will impact lives for the better and CHANGE that isn’t just another law on the books but CHANGE that will impact the WORLD. 

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, “Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking.  There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions.  Nothing pains some people more than having to think.”

THOUGHTS engage our minds.

PRAYERS engage our hearts.

ACTIONS engage our guts.

Intelligence of ALL THREE ~ head, heart and gut  ~ bring forth balance in our response.

Am I mistaken?  How I see it is that we need a balanced response of THOUGHTS, PRAYERS AND ACTIONS for a WORLD where FREEDOM AND PEACE have the final word.

Thanks for reading,

Lori

#ThoughtsPrayersActions  #HardSolidThinking  #TruePeace  #Day13

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE

By Lori Carmody

In our families, neighborhoods, schools, cities, states, nation, and world ~

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Where there is hatred, let me bring love
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy. 

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

IN MEMORIAM:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/15/586095587/17-people-died-in-the-parkland-shooting-here-are-their-names

Thanks for reading,

Lori

#Florida  #ChannelOfPeace  #Day12

VALENTINES FOR LENT

By Lori Carmody 

It makes perfect sense to me that yesterday, the start of the Lenten season for Christians, was also St. Valentine’s Day.  What if both being on the same day wasn’t just happenstance?  What if our celebration of love on Ash Wednesday was pointing us in the direction of observing Lent with love being in the for front of our minds over the next 40 days (especially in light of the Florida High School shooting)?

As we know, God asks unusual things of His people.  He asked Noah to build an ark in the middle of the desert.  He asked a virgin to have a baby.  You get my point.   So, yesterday He may have asked us to hold love (valentines) together with Ash Wednesday (you are dust and to dust you shall return).  Unusual to say the least.  Or not?

In my mind, this translates:  Act in love towards all while holding in the back of your mind that life is short.

Let me share with you a prayer written by Joyce Rupp that I have adapted.

Faithful God, in these Lenten days we pray:

to live deeply, with purpose, 
to live freely, with detachment, 
to live wisely, with humility, 
to live justly, with compassion, 
to live lovingly, with awareness, 
to live gratefully, with generosity, 
to live fully, with enthusiasm.

Help me to hold this vision and to daily renew it in my heart, 
becoming ever more one with you.
Amen

From time to time we all forget we are meant to be Valentines to one another.  Yet life is short.  Perhaps we need to remember from Ash Wednesday that we are dust and to dust we shall return.  We were given a gift yesterday; a reminder that we are created to do both; love with a BIG VALENTINES LOVE and to remember that we won’t have forever to share our love with others.  God is counting on us to live the next 40 days with both in mind.

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#BIGLOVE  #LENT  #DAY11

I WONDER

By Lori Carmody 

With St. Valentine’s Day in mind, this poem by Derek Tasker touches my heart and moves my will.

I WONDER

I wonder what would happen 
If I treated everyone like I was in love with them,
Whether I like them or not and whether they respond or not
And no matter what they say or do to me
And even if I see things in them which are ugly twisted petty cruel vain deceitful and indifferent,
Just accept all that and turn my attention to some small weak tender hidden part
And keep my eyes on that until it shines like a beam of light
Like a bonfire I can warm my hands by
And trust it to burn away all the waste which is not
Never was
My business to meddle with.

May the business of living the fullness of St. Valentine’s Day begin with us all.

Thanks for reading.

With wholehearted love,

Lori

#ValentinesDay  #BigLove  #Wonder  #Day10

A HUMMINGBIRD SHARING LIGHT

By Lori Carmody

I was doing some gardening and saw this hummingbird in one of the bushes tucked away in her nest.  

How often do I slow down enough to notice what is right in my path but hidden just below the surface?

Marveling at the beauty in this moment of discovery, I asked myself …..

~  Do I need to take a break in my “nest” for a bit and simply savor the beauty surrounding me today?

~  Hummingbirds are physically light.  Do I need to lighten up?  Am I weighted down with doubt, anxiety, fear, agitation? 

~  Hummingbirds move their wings in a figure eight pattern which is a symbol of infinity.  Do I need to pause before moving forward with something?

~  Hummingbirds are adaptable.  Is there something I need to step back from, notice, discern, and then see from a new perspective?

In Native American cultures, hummingbirds are symbolic of good luck, joy and love.  How might I better embrace these gifts today?   Is this, perhaps, an invitation for you as well?

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#Hummingbird  #SelfReflection  #Symbols  #Day9

MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING

By Lori Carmody

The classic best seller, Man’s Search For Meaning by author-psychiatrist Viktor E Frankl, speaks of the meaning of life through his experiences of being in the Nazi concentration camps (Dachau and Auschwitz) for three years and his private logotherapy practice following World War II. 

Frankl asserts that we discover our meaning in life in three unique ways:

1. By creating a work or doing a deed of achievement or accomplishment
2.  By experiencing a goodness, truth or beauty in nature and/or culture or by deeply loving someone
3. By the attitude we take towards unavoidable suffering in so far as transforming our unavoidable suffering into something that has meaning for ourselves, someone else or for the world

This book is so powerful that, rather than writing my own synopsis of the greater points, I would prefer to give you several quotes from the book in hopes that they will whet your thirst to pick up the book and read it yourselves.

• Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire.  (pg 49)
• He who has a “why” to live can bear with almost any “how”.  (pgs 9, 84, 109) (Written with moving examples from the death camps)
• There are two races of men in the world but only these two – the “race” of the decent man and the “race” of the indecent man.  Both are found everywhere; they penetrate into all groups of society.  (pg 94)
• Freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness.  That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.  (pg 134)
• If one cannot change the situation that causes suffering, he can still change his attitude. (pg 148)  (Written with examples from his logotherapy practice treating depression, suffering of all types and guilt)
• Public opinion pollsters recently reported that those held in highest esteem by most of the people interviewed are neither the great artists nor the great scientist, neither the great statesmen nor the great sports figures but those who master a hard lot with their heads held high.  (pg 149)
• So, let us be alert – alert in a twofold sense.  Since Auschwitz, we know what man is capable of.  And since Hiroshima, we know what is at stake.  (pg 154)

Originally written in 1959, these words continue to speak today.

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#MansSearchForMeaning  #BookLover  #2Races  #Day8   

STRIVING FOR GREATNESS

By Lori Carmody

This wonderful boy was having breakfast with his Pa and Grandma when I met him.  He was building tabletop towers of jam & honey, playing sugar packet football, teasing his little sister unmercifully and generally making my morning!

I thought the shirt he was wearing was perfect for his infectious smile and the scene I was observing. He was definitely “striving to be a great” protagonist as a big brother, football star, and overall 10 year old boy.

Our culture tells us every day what greatness “should” look like.  

Should we believe what we hear?

I invite us to define it for ourselves – be it greatness in living life, loving well, forgiving, employment goals, practicing mindfulness, gratitude, health, faith, joy, finances, or even victories at sugar packet football!

And for those of us striving for excellence, perhaps The Beatitudes could be our guide ~ blessed are those who are meek, who hunger for righteousness, who are merciful, are peacemakers and pure in heart (Matthew 5:1-11).  

What are you striving for today?

Run after it with all the gusto you have.  

Wear it like a motto on your shirt for all the world to see because others just may be watching!

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#StriveForGreatness   #Beatitudes  #YouAreTheExample  #Day7   

COLD NOSES & WAGGING TAILS

By Lori Carmody 

Our first dogs taught me about complete acceptance and love beyond all bounds.  Rhody and Dandy were the constant joy factors in our lives…ALWAYS happy to see us, ALWAYS by our side, ALWAYS there to remind us we had a friend.  I miss them.

Our next little guy, Tucker, taught me about comfort.  He was there when Matt left for college and our family went from 4 to 3 living under our roof.  Tucker was still with us when Kaitie went to college and we became empty nesters at home.  Although he barked a lot and that got on our nerves, his barking was something I treasured when Tom traveled and I was in the house alone at night.  Tucker was my consummate guard dog and sofa lapdog.  I miss him.

Donald Hicks writes, “Those who teach the most about humanity aren’t always humans”.  I agree.  Dogs bring hope, loyalty, companionship and unbridled love to the world.

It has been said that the day God made dogs, He just sat down and smiled.   

I think that is just about right.

Thanks for reading. 

Lori

NOTE:   A friend of mine, Diane Odegard Gockel, is a children’s book author.  She has two books that are “written” by rescued dogs.

Check these out:

IS RANGER IN DANGER?   https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Is+ranger+in+danger

BELLA SAVES THE FARM   https://www.amazon.com/Bella-Saves-Diane-Odegard-Gockel/dp/0989631710

#DogLover  #DogFanClub  #Day6

A Person Is A Person

By Lori Carmody

What does the United States have in common with North Korea, China, The Netherlands, Singapore, Vietnam and Canada?  And what does that answer have to do with us who are fed up with many of our Senators and Representatives of both political parties? 

Last week I was dismayed by our US Senators – both the Democratic and Republican ones.  Let me explain.

Science has made great gains in discovering what the unborn feel while they are in utero.  The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that the US Senate voted on Jan 29th took into account the scientific information that fetal neural development experiences pain after 20 weeks of gestation.

 

Even with having this knowledge, our Senators voted against passing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.  (60 votes were needed.)  Let me say that again.  Even knowing that babies feel pain, our elected Senators voted down the legislation that would protect these children.

Republicans needed Democratic support in addition to the votes of their own 51 Republican Senators to stop a filibuster (which requires 60 votes).  Two Republicans voted against the bill – Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.  That left only 49 Republican votes for the measure to pass so they now needed 11 Democrats to vote with them.  They only got 3 – Senators Bob Casey, Joe Manchin and Joe Donnelly so the bill was defeated by our US Senate by a vote of 51-46.  Heart breaking news as far as I am concerned.

Three facts to consider:

1*  The US is 1 of only 7 countries in the world that allow abortions past 20 weeks of gestation.  The other countries:  North Korea, China, Vietnam, Singapore, The Netherlands, Canada

2*  The nervous system of the child begins functioning in the 4^th month of pregnancy

3*  Since the baby feels pain after 20 weeks, often the abortionist will give the baby anesthesia before the abortion (which suggests that abortionists know that the baby feels the procedure)

I understand that our US Senate will again take up debate on this bill later this year.   A recent poll by the Knights of Columbus discovered that 76% of Americans support limiting abortion in the United States to the first trimester. 

As Dr. Seuss says, “A person is a person no matter what.”   Writing an email to your legislator or making a call expressing your thoughts about the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would be a good thing, don’t you think?   

Thanks for reading,

Lori

#APersonIsAPerson   #Day6

GATE WIDE OPEN

By Lori Carmody

Every once in a while we need to intentionally chase after joy.  

My To-Do list today ~ 

LIVE LIKE SOMEONE LEFT THE GATE WIDE OPEN!

Happy Tuesday, folks.

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#Day4

FOLLOWING NUDGES

By Lori Carmody

Have you ever had a random thought, followed through, and realized it may have come from beyond you?  Me too!

Yesterday my hubby and I were on our way to an out of town outdoor market.  When we drove by a church we hadn’t been to in a long time on our way to the market, I had the desire to stop in the church for a visit.  We decided we would stop by on our way home if we were still in the mood.  

Several hours later we were on our way home and I again was drawn to make a visit.  As we entered the church and knelt in prayer, we were bathed with music as a touring Carmelite choir practiced for a performance they were giving that evening.  

I do not have words to express the peace we felt in those moments surrounded by the Sister’s prayer-filled music. 

Seldom do we know for certain that we are hearing the guidance of God when we have a nudge to do this or not to do that.  After Tom and my experience, we had to wonder if perhaps God had a hand in us being there.  Who knows?   

Amazing Grace draws us – ALL OF US – ALL THE TIME – to receive guidance.  When we respond “Yes” to little nudges of prayer, service, kindness, and love of others it seems to me that we will not be disappointed.   

What nudges are you feeling?  

Spirit, please lead us.

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#CarmeliteSisters #AmazingGrace #FollowingNudges #Day3

AUTHENTIC SUCCESS ~ PATCHES AND ALL

By Lori Carmody

This is one of my favorite coffee cups.  I was drinking out of it when I decided to accept the challenge of writing a month of daily blogs.  Coincidence?  What do you think? 

“Enjoy the simple victory of being exactly where you are”

What a powerful truth starring back at me as I wake up in the morning. 

Now I pass it onto you. 

Will we will victorious in daily embracing who we are ~ talents, foibles and alll?  Are we able to fully accept that where we are in our relationships, job, finances, faith, neighborhood, community, and country is exactly where we are supposed to be today?  Is there enough courage in our minds and hearts to believe that?

“Succcess is sometimes just having one more patch than you have holes in your innnertube”

As we embody who and where we are, fully ourselves and whole heartedly immersed in our lives,
(not as we wish we were or hope our lives will be in the future but as we and they are today), authentic success will be ours.   That is indeed a beautiful simple victory to claim and celebrate.  

      

Thanks for reading.

Lori

#SimpleVictory  #OneMorePatch  #AuthenticSuccess  #DayTwo

DIVE IN

By Lori Carmody

I received a challenge (challenge: a call to take part; an invitation to engage) to write a blog each day for a month.  Since I love taking photos, I knew with this invitation I would also want to include some of my photography.

I was hesitant at first to accept the challenge.  My usual objections quickly rose up within me (I call them my “companions” since I am accustomed to hearing them whenever I am asked to do something new)  …..

~ What do you have to offer?

~ What if you fail? 

~ Or possible even worse, what if you follow through and enjoy yourself.  What then?

I simply pondered the invitation allowing it to percolate within my being and giving space for Grace and my best knowing to inform my decision.  Thoughts, fears, prayers, desires, and what ifs all had a voice at the table of discernment.  Slowly I noticed a quiet sense of joy.   Hmmm.   Discernment, thank you.

So today I begin with this message of a challenge, my questioning, the discernment journey, and a simple beginning.  Here goes!

Oh!  One more thing.  May I ask you to challenge yourself to consider doing something in your own life over the next 30 days so that we will be on this journey together?   If so, consider yourself challenged to dive right in!  The space between where we are today and where we will be in 30 days is sacred ground.   Here WE go!

                                              “DON’T DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS”

                                                                                                  ~ Anonymous

#DiveIn  #30DaysChallenge

Thank you for reading. 

Lori