A third simple question

Where would we be if we didn’t have the capacity to forgive?

 

__________

 

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

Winnie, can you help my Dad?

Nursing home double occupancy room
Winfield is behind the curtain. A 15-year old is bedside.

 

Winnie, can you help my Dad?

i know you’re 101 year-old, bed-ridden body leaves you physically incapacitated, but my goodness, your mind – your mind is astonishing.

Can you help me, educate me, and encourage me to develop a deeper and wider wisdom about what it’s like to stare death in the face every day?

And through this and with this, help my 90-year old Father-in-Law fight a good fight every day.

 

__________

 

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

Overlooked, but not by everyone

Sanibel sunset
Simple images like this, nowhere near the direction of the sunset, are often overlooked.

 

Overlooked, but not by everyone.

We can feel that way sometimes.

God is always noticing.

 

__________

 

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

Tempers, anger, hate on high. Would it be safe?

Islamic Center of Orlando open house
Room filled with Parishioners from my Church a few miles north. Camera crew from Brazil. (not part of the normal agenda)

 

Islamic Center of Orlando
Josh, standing, top center led 30-minutes of Q&A before dinner. Imam top left, hand raised, addressing the group too. Both were wonderful. Our Son lower right green-plaid shirt.

 

Islamic Center of Orlando open house
Guest speaker, a Christian from Atlanta, who converted to Islam.

 

Islamic Center of Orlando open house
There was a nice presentation projected on the wall before dinner.

 

A few days ago sitting in Church, the Pulse Orlando tragedy was only a few hours old and the enormity hadn’t fully emerged, so when our Priest reminded everyone that Parishioners were invited to a Ramadan dinner celebration and Islamic presentation in three days (last night), i leaned over and asked our Son (15) if he’d like to go. He said yes.

As we walked to our car after Mass, i checked Twitter for an update – death toll at 20.

WHAT!

An hour after we got home, Twitter updated the number to 50 dead.

Please tell me this is just a bad dream.

i became afraid of the decision to attend.

Tempers, anger, hate on high. Would it be safe?

This passed and we looked forward.

Upon arrival, the teen had reservations and asked me to be attentive to our surroundings.

Already on it (but i didn’t tell him that).

We left feeling like we had made one of the best decisions in recent memory.

 

__________

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.

 

Forgive yourself and then prove it

Daily noticing
Yesterday morning at big intersection returning from cycling to breakfast.

 

Daily noticing
Sure, notice the clouds, and sometimes messages are at our feet.

 

Daily noticing
Real life in real time. No staging. Ever.

 

Daily noticing
Straight ahead is the main north Cast Member entrance for Walt Disney World.

 

Daily noticing
So weird…Safety, right? And just a few hours ago the worst massacre in US history.

 

Daily noticing
Notice. Be intentional. It’s such a gift.

 

Forgive yourself and then prove it.

Second chances are constantly in front of us.

We rarely see them because they are so prolific.

When was the last time you spent three days in a row doing these four things:

  1. Begin the day on your knees
  2. Watch the sun rise
  3. Stare at the clouds for at least two minutes without distraction
  4. Watch the sun set

Those four are tip of the demonstrable behaviors iceberg.

PS. Can you imagine doing those four things every day for the rest of your life?

 

__________

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

This website is about our spiritual health. To leave this site to read today’s post on jeff’s career health website, click here.