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To see what a painter paints, one has to look at the unexpected form that jumps out of the canvas and not to look into his mind. Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos, a … Continue reading
I keep my eyes and thoughts focus on one candle at a time reflecting the subtle meaning of each as it’s was being lit for the past four weeks. To make meaning out of them, I needed to know what … Continue reading
When Autumn arrives, I have to remember to revere the glory of what was before: in spring, the earth is waking up to life; in summer, the world is basking on the light and warmth of the sun. Spring and … Continue reading
September 1, 1939 W. H. Auden, 1907 – 1973 I sit in one of the dives On Fifty-second Street Uncertain and afraid As the clever hopes expire Of a low dishonest decade: Waves of anger and fear Circulate over the … Continue reading
“We hope that your faith inspires you to be just, loving, humble and merciful. We hope that your faith inspires you to encourage the church to be more just, more loving, more humble and more merciful.” “We hope you find … Continue reading
“Let’s go visit Granny.” That’s what the kids used to say when Granny was alive. Some of these children were not able to experience the love of their grandmother nor Mother would see how fruitful we have become. Mother instilled … Continue reading
Go on, young Alfie, son of Albion, Fearless fighter in a soulless age, With every shallow breath, while judges rage, To the very end, beyond all hope. Go on, young Alfie, son of Tom, Lion-hearted soul, without a trace Of … Continue reading
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The primary emphasis in this work is based on evolution distinctively a combination of three persons, one God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. He is drawn and inspired by The Trinity. The Prayer of St. Augustine … Continue reading
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Eventually, Ms. Van Sluytman decided it was time to look into his eyes. “We shared really wonderful e-mails. His words helped to heal me, but I finally said, ‘I have to meet you, I need to see your eyes,’” she … Continue reading
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It’s God’s gift that enables peace. The supernatural message of Easter is that Jesus overcomes death, and when people believe that and act upon it, it changes the headlines. Spiritual beliefs change how people respond to evil. The bloody cross … Continue reading
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Today marks the first day of advent. A day of excitement filed with hope and grief. But hope trumps! It’s Not This Time of Year Without… a message of hope, everlasting hope. The message is to step out of our head … Continue reading
Here lies the future. The future garden. For months, I assessed it and imagined how it would look like should there be a garden on this space. It was February 28, 2016, when I started digging on this space. I … Continue reading
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Do you know that we are just like cats that get scared easily, fearful? So be careful. All we need is love. Yesterday, I attended a conference in renewing my sense of wonder by bringing together theological, psychological and spiritual awareness … Continue reading
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Voss would visit the arboretum whenever he had a free moment over the course of about a year. He would choose one tree to focus on each day and sit for hours on end, face-to-face with these epic yet small … Continue reading
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When it comes to gardening, I prefer to start from seeds. It reminds me of conception to birth. The seeds are the eggs and the sperms are a mixture of good potting soil mixed with mushroom manure saturated further with … Continue reading
“Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about.
Truth is, I don’t want to know. Some things are best left unsaid.
I’d like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can’t be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it.
I tell you those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.
Go ahead, play, relax, free your mind, redeem yourself and listen to the full aria of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro Duettino Sull’aria Le nozze di Figaro. This is a moment of grace.
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‘Half the harm done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them…or they do not see it, or they justify it…because they are … Continue reading
Doubts pushed me into drawing up a list, “Eleven Thoughts on Rejection Dejection,” responses to questions one side of me was asking the other. I admit the weary voice of continuance half hoped retreat would prevail:
Source: “A Guy in a Metal Suicide-Box,” chapter six of Writing Blue Highways, is reprinted here by permission from the University of Missouri Press and the author via Talking Writing.
What compels me to write.
Well, first and foremost, an old quote from a wise friend: “A paper refuses no ink.” Secondly, it’s a very long list of stories of in between times.
Now, what compels you to write?
“Beauty is more than what we see with the eyes. People are more than their conditions. I am more than my hair and skin. This only shows my exterior”
She Took A Daily Selfie While Battling Depression & Anxiety. The Results Are Truly Astonishing.
Rebecca Brown is a film student from the U.K. In 2007, when she was only 14, she began a project that documented her life by taking selfie photos of herself. Brown is now 21 and she has compiled the roughly 2100 pictures that she has taken into a video on her Youtube channel.
This video documents her battle with depression, anxiety and an impulse control disorder (which is a form of OCD) known as Trichotillomania. (Trichotillomania causes a person to pull out their own hair when anxious).
Brown says that this project is ongoing and plans to continue as long as she can.
For all those people who are inflected by this disease, stay strong and be strong. There is always HOPE and life does get better.
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” ― Shannon L. Alder
Mother subscribed to “Living with Christ” that I took over when she died. I changed the mailing address and kept her name. It’s a booklet of daily mass readings.
As years go by, I noticed I started receiving other mails addressed to her. Now, there are more mails for her than for me. These envelopes are coming from various charitable and health organizations asking for donations. Some mails even have greetings cards, address labels, calendars, pens, bags and other goodies. I consider these as bribes.
Who on earth is keeping my Mother alive?
I know that there is an industry that collects and sells data of name and address of other people. At the same token some organizations buy the list for solicitation purposes. I wonder if they have any idea that some people on the list are dead.
I find it rather amusing that these organizations are totally clueless. One envelope is from Heart and Stroke. Do I dare tell them that Mother actually died of a massive heart attack on March 31, 2000?
Seeing all these mails for Mother is one way of keeping the memory of her alive. I do not have the heart to return them to sender for I love receiving her mails.
Mother left us a lasting legacy of love, faith and hope.
Love is her guiding principle, faith is her foundation and hope kept her forging ahead to raise her thirteen children as a single mother. Like most parents, she wanted the very best for her children.
Mother had a tremendous responsibility to maintain love and care for one another in our family unit. She provided a modest rented apartment as our home that is welcoming. Even though our home is small, our friends and classmates are part of the family. There was a sense of belonging and ease. They even call her Mother, too.
When it comes to education, Mother wanted us to focus our energy on studying since she only finished Grade 4. Once we graduated from University, only then can we try extracurricular activities such as having a boyfriend.
Family is all about relationship of unconditional love, giving and nurturing. She loved, gave and nurtured. Her children came first and sacrificed her own personal wants; a very altruistic person. She set a good example and standard for me, my siblings, family, friends and community. The community presented her an award as Mother of the Year.
When I was younger, I cannot see through what Mother is. Only then, as I grow older and have more time to contemplate and reflect about her, I can truly say how blessed I am that she chose me to live and saved my life when I became gravely ill. Not just me but so many others before me. We are all lucky to have Mother.
Even though she’s no longer here on earth, we keep her legacy of love, faith and hope. And for as long as we are alive, we will continue to speak and tell stories to the younger generations.
When we forgive, we have to let go of our own feelings, our own ego, our own offended identity, and find our identity at a completely different level—the divine level. I even wonder if it is possible to know God at all—outside of the mystery of forgiveness. ~ Mystery of Forgiveness
Source: CNS photo by Art Babych
The Archdiocese of Vancouver, Archbishop Miller addressed former residential school students on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission event. He acknowledged the role the Church played in “implementing the Canadian government’s policy which involved forcibly separating children from their parents.”
THE APOLOGY
Distinguished members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Venerable Elders, Survivors of the Indian Residential Schools, First Nations Brothers and Sisters, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Speaking on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I am here with you today to acknowledge the role we played in implementing the Canadian government’s policy which involved forcibly separating children from their parents and families and placing them in Indian Residential Schools. through generations, this deeply flawed policy has led to unbearable pain and suffering.
At the five residential schools which existed within the boundaries of the Archdiocese, we were entrusted with safeguarding the children and young people under our care. However, we failed to live up to the trust placed in us. Over the century of their existence, tragic incidents of cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse took place at these schools. We hold in high esteem those survivors who have had the courage to tell the truth about their harrowing experiences….
Related links:Let us pray then, with all fervour for this peace which our Divine redeemer came to bring us.
May he banish from the souls of all people whatever might endanger peace.
May he transform all people into witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly love.
May he illumine with his light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee them the fairest gift of peace.
Pacem in Terris
As we long for peace we remember our brothers and sisters of all faiths – and none – who share our longings.
Baha’i Garden in Israel Pilgrimage 2010
Prayer for peace
May Christ inflame the desires of all people to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another and to pardon those who have done them wrong. Through his power and inspiration, may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as brothers and sisters, and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them.
Pacem in Terris
At Sacred Space today can I allow the Word of God to stir up the authentic desires and longings of my heart? The men and women of the whole world long for peace.
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Source: Sacred Space
Reflections 