I
no longer
make a plan
for myself
but respond
to the people
and things
in my life
which are part
of a plan
or
pattern
I
cannot
see.
*The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous work of Christian mysticism in the 14th century.
respect
Inside Out, Outside In
We may judge
others’
outsides
from our own
insides.
Do we look
at others
as calm,
in control,
on top of things?
For many people,
it takes
a lot of
effort
to put
themselves
together.
What you see
is the result
of that effort,
not
the challenge
of
getting there.
When I have been
more willing
to reveal
some of my
inner feelings,
the
result can be
closer
relationships.
THOUGHT LEADER
Thought Leaders
are especially
important
during times of
Disruptive Innovation,
a concept
used in
this time
when things
aren’t working
and ways of thinking and doing
must be changed.
Since Pope Francis was chosen,
he has become a
powerful
THOUGHT LEADER.
From his first moments
Pope Francis
showed his
humility
asking for us
to pray for him.
He chose
simple garments,
comfortable black shoes,
paid his own hotel bill,
moved into a
simple apartment.
During Holy Week,
he washed the feet of the poor,
not all Catholics.
He told priests
to be merciful and compassionate
towards those who are divorced
women who have had
abortions.
When asked about homosexuals,
he replied,
“Who am I to judge?”
Smiling,
he loves everyone
and in return,
he is loved.
The rules have not necessarily changed,
but the
TONE
has completely.
This change in tone is
Francis’
greatest achievement,
and it is HUGE!
In this
political season,
candidates
could learn
because Pope Francis
is an astute politician
in the best sense of the word.
As a South American
he sees the entrenched Vatican
as needing to be cleaned up,
finances and favoritism,
swept out.
Reflecting
compassion.
the tone,
the message
is that God is a God
of LOVE,
not JUDGMENT.
The Church’s role
is to make God
accessible.
Coming to the United States,
his first trip to North America,
he will speak
at the United Nations,
address Congress,
say Mass in Madison Square Garden.
Popular entertainers will
engage people,
using their words and music
to
open up people’s senses
to the music of their hearts.
Disruptive Innovation.
Bring it on!
Being Available Or Not
Living in a 24-7 world
Turning off
Tuning out
Electronically
and
in Person
can be a challenge.
Expectations
may be
to be
Always Available.
Some sleep
with their phones
at their bedside.
For emergencies
only?
Always
for some.
To spend time
in person
is another expectation
entirely.
Some insist
taking some of
another’s time
in person.
Surely
there are people
we want to spend time with
face to face,
eye to eye.
How can we
prioritize and choose
who we spend
real time
with?
Insisting
that time to be together
is necessary,
do you feel
like you must make an excuse?
Can you just
indicate that
it is not possible?
A cartoon
shows a man on the phone
saying
“No Thursday’s out.
How about never
-is that good for you?”
If you are laughing
and nodding your head,
think how you can modify
managing and prioritizing
your time and availability.
Perhaps
your
inner voice is
saying to you
that your excuse is
“I am going to be
contemplating
my navel!
Hiding Out
When I asked a lovely older couple, who still lead a very busy life,
how they manage it all
they both smiled and replied,
“Sometimes you hide out and you don’t tell.”
I have shared their secret, which is now also mine, with many people. The hiding out can be a day, an evening, 10 minutes. However short, take some time for yourself.”Hide out and don’t tell” can be your secret too.
livinglinesreflections.com
Ritual
Ritual
Ritual
Tradition
Out of the darkness of winter
Primal celebration
Holy Week
Passover
Easter
Some continue to come together
Honor
those who have gone before.
Some are too busy
or don’t believe rituals and traditions
are important anymore,
at least to them.
Have we lost a gift of community
leaving rituals and traditions
in the past?
Can we find a way to be grateful for the gifts
of life, light, new growth?
Seeing beauty
All around
Can bring dissonance
into harmony.
Seeing beauty, being grateful
for a bird’s song,
green shoots poking through layers,
for the smile of another.
Love is the ritual we can
all share.
