Pushing the limits

He came in this afternoon, accompanied by others who we normally refer to as 'friends' or 'young people'.  While they all fit into the customary measure of the second criteria, we can't be convinced that the first holds true too.  Nevertheless, this was the first time we had met him, and it wasn't long before we began to hear fragments of his story.

He's a street kid who'se known the pain of losing his father.  We're not sure what the story with his mom is, nor do we know whether there are any siblings.  What's sure is that he presents as a very insecure young man.  By his own admission, he'd been forced to come to our kitchen, and although he put in his time, I'm not convinced he was truly happy to be here.

Later in the day, when I happened by just at the time of supper service, he was still trying to prove himself.  I wonder whether he's even aware that at least some of those who observed his choices and movements today knew that he was trying very hard to fit in.  Pushing the limits is nothing new.  It is in fact a very tell tale sign that he's a very needy person.  The question is how to allow him to find his place, to be himself, and to trust that life is worth living.

These kinds of questions can be asked for all of us.  There are times when we are all insecure about our choices, and about the possible outcomes.  Learning to take the risks though is an essential part of finding peace.  Thanks for today's lesson.

People helping people

For what shall we give thanks today?

Since the morning began in an airport, I must be thankful for those who made me wait (for clearance through the security and for admission aboard the flight).  These moments were filled with their own anxieties as time was running out before the flight in question would leave the ground, but considering the responsibility for security placed upon their shoulders, the wait was definitely worth it.

Later in the day, I met with parishioners who have agreed to help with the planning of liturgies in the parish.  These people willingly share their talents and gifts to help others who come to pray with us find a place of welcome, a place to be quiet, a place to meet friends, a place to speak whatever is on their hearts before a God who promises always to listen.  Creating an environment that is condusive to prayer is not an easy thing, and paying attention to people's needs (myriad that they seem to be at times) adds its own level(s) of challenge, but together we do our best to put the building blocks in place.  When all is said and done, we must let the truth of the moment speak and the Divine have His own way.  That's perhaps harder to do than it might seem.

Just waiting

For what shall we give thanks?  This is the phrase I've added to the blog (at least the editing page) as a reminder to myself every time I get to this stage that I must find something for which to express my gratitude.

Today, I found myself in a hospital setting, sitting with some loved ones, waiting for a chimo treatment to be administered.  Admittedly, since we arrived at the hospital shortly before 8:00 am, it was a bit unnerving to say the least to find ourselves still waiting at 10:30.  By that point, the preliminary tests had been completed, but the treatment hadn't yet begun.  Then again, a quick glance around, and knowing that everyone else in the room was facing the same questions: a desease that can have as many permutations and combinations as crowds have faces; the stark reality that for some of these, there is no cure, only management techniques ... pretty serious stuff which is much more life changing than just a few hours of imposed waiting.

When all was said and done, the treatment in question was indeed administered, the patient slept and the bystanders waited.  As we left the building, I couldn't help thinking that I was truly thankful for having had this opportunity: to sit quietly, to read, to spend time with loved ones, and to just 'be' there.

Take good care

The human body is a wonderful thing.  It knows how to take care of itself (you might notice this if you watch how the skin seems to heal itself with time).  What is visible on the outside is also going on on the inside.

One example of this is the liver.  Did you know that there are at least nine things that the liver does for the body to keep it healthy?  Here's a sample:

• Our liver stores the iron reserves we need, in addition to a lot of vitamins and other minerals.  Without this reserve, we wouldn't have the strength to carry on.
• The human liver creates bile, used to digest our food.  Without it, we'd waste away to nothing.
• Without the liver, we would not be able to detoxify poisonous chemicals such as alcohol, wine, beer and drugs (both the prescription and non-prescription kinds), to say nothing of illegal substances.  I suppose some bad habits can kill.
• Like a battery, the liver stores energy by stockpiling sugars (carbohydrates, glucose and fats) until we need them.  Otherwise, sugar levels in our bodies could fall dramatically, causing coma.
• The liver is responsible for making the blood that got us going even before we were born.
• This is where new proteins are manufactured so that we can stay healthy and grow.
• This is the organ that removes poisons from the air we breathe, including smoke and other chemicals that we may ingest.  Without it, we'd be poisoned by pollutants.
• The liver manufactures clotting  factors that stop us from bleeding (too much) when we're injured.  Without them, we would bleed out.
• Our liver helps defend us against germs that enter our bodies at all times.  Thanks to the liver, cold germs, flu bugs and their relatives are either killed or at least weakened.  Without this defense, we'd be sitting ducks.

Now that you know all this, how well do you take care of your liver?

• Do we ever drown the liver in beer, alcohol or wine?  For some people, even one drink is too many.
• Medicine is sometimes necessary, but overdoing it, or mixing drugs without doctors' advice can lead to scars in the liver called cirrhoses which are permanent.
• Even aerosol sprays, including bug repellents, mildew sprays, paints and other sprays can be inhaled, and lead to permanent damage done to the liver.
• Sometimes insecticides and other chemicals can pass through the skin and be absorbed into the body, and potentially cause irreparable damage to the liver (and other organs).
• The liver is a non-complainer.  It won't tell us it's in trouble until it's almost at the end of its rope.

Take good care of the things you have been given, especially the things that can't be replaced.  Respect them, protect them and they'll be around for a long time to come.

Dancing

Have you ever taken a good look at the word guidance?

Look with the eyes of faith and you might be surprised what you find.  Perhaps you've played the childhood game involving complex words, involving the practice of finding smaller words contained within, or perhaps manipulating the letters to form smaller words.  If you do this with the word guidance, you'll quickly find the word dance.

Doing God's will is alot like dancing.  Have you ever noticed that when two people dancing both try to lead, nothing feels right?  The movement doesn't flow with the music and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. If one person realizes this, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.  It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.  Dance takes surrender, willingness and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

Also within the word guidance, you may notice the letters g, u and i.  Ok, take a bit of liberty here, and think for a moment that guidance is about God, you and me (I) dancing.

Allowing God to lead the dance that you and I do with Him calls for trust on our part.  Where trust and love are present, there is no room for fear and doubt, so look for guidance, and be willing to trust, to let God lead the dance.

A new look at charity

Charity: being good to others out of love for them.  This is a basic tenet of our faith, and one that we try every day to embody.  It's at the heart of what it means to be a disciple, and to some extent or another, it's been at the core of the values upon which our society is founded.

Whenever something is as familiar as charity is, human beings have a tendency to take it for granted, and that indeed is a shame.  It takes a fresh look at times to help us appreciate what it's all about.  Enter a newly-discovered video entitled First as Tragedy then as Farce.  It made me think.  Maybe it might make you more aware too of things for which we should all be thankful.

Be positive

Have you ever met a person who always seems to be in a good mood?  Some people seem to be able to find the silver lining in every cloud, even though from the outside, they may appear to be suffering greatly.  These are the people who cause others to wonder (even from a distance) and to be filled with admiration.  They almost emit a positive energy that attracts others and fills them with happiness, even though they may still wonder about the source of contentedness.

Some such people (the positive-minded ones) will tell you that their approach to life is all about choices.  We choose how to react to the events that greet us each day.  Some such events are easy to celebrate, but some need some serious effort on our part if we're going to find the joy that is hidden behind the challenge.

Choose each day to find the positive, to celebrate it, and believe as well that life is an adventure.  You might be surprised at how many reasons for gratitude you will uncover.