Tag: Catholic

Six Months?

Six months ago, I accepted our Pastor’s challenge to start everyday on my knees. Our Pastor would ask the congregation every Sunday, “How many of you started the day on your knees”?

Literally, no one’s hand went up. Over 1,000 people and no one? Impossible.

So, on April 1, 2009, I started. It’s been six months and I haven’t stopped. Does this make me a righteous person. Not even close.

Does it make me more mindful of each day being a special gift and privilege? Absolutely.

What’s stopping you? Seriously. How hard is it to do this every day. It isn’t. Which brings us back to the original point.

It’s been six months. And six months from now, it will have been a year. Six months from now will mean what to you?

WWJD

WWJD. What would Jesus do? Most are familiar with this.

Because my mind works in mysterious ways, this acronym could also have a second meaning:

What would jeff do? No one is familiar with this.

That’s okay. As long as it means something to me (everyday), then the odds increase that better choices are made. One day at a time. Always an eye on the future. Always a reflection on the past. But mostly, carpe diem.

What do you do every day, to get and stay focused – in the moment to moment opportunities that today brings you?

You are preparing for this TODAY, right?

My Son’s Pain Update

Last night after delivering a Web Seminar, I picked up our third-grade son, like every other day. Except Wednesday, we have Catechism.

He’s a student and I’m a junior assistant deputy teacher. Miss Jane runs the class, and I sort of help by staying out of the way and pitching in here and there.

Anyway, our routine is a drive-through fast food place for dinner, eat on the way and in the parking lot. Clean ourselves up a bit. Class 6:30 – 7:45PM. Head home.

Our son could barely walk on his right leg, so we did not go.

We never know when he will have pain, where he will have pain (it migrates all over his body), or how long it will last.

It’s just a part of our landscape. We simply do the best we can, and keep moving forward.

I Don’t Know How to Start

A lifetime of learned behaviors. Life is hard. And mostly difficult. And busy. And distracting.

Some days, maybe while watching a movie or TV show, we see a Family that seems to have it all together and wonder why we can’t live like that.

It’s a movie, okay? It’s not real. Yet perhaps there’s some compromise between what’s portrayed in books and movies, and what is our current reality.

Maybe. maybe not.

I’d like to find out.

Carpe diem, jeff đŸ™‚

Failing?

Failing? Probably. It weighs heavy on my soul and heart. I’d really like to be a better:

  • Son
  • Brother
  • Nephew
  • Uncle

Yet after decades of learned behavior, there’s a struggle deep down inside that seems overwhelming.

Overwhelming, yes. Impossible, no.

The people involved in this are going to have to want this too. It takes two. This is not a one-sided challenge, nor a one-sided opportunity. Is it me, or is that ticking sound the clock?