A Monday thought to ponder...

There
is
nothing
clever
about
not
being
happy.

- Arnaud Desjardins

As a child I learned that there was always something worth worrying about.

Lydia's First Day!

Wake up Lydia...It's the first day of school!

I'm ready to take on the world Mom!
And I've got my lunch too!

Here I come First Grade!
Are ya ready for me?

This is my desk! I'm ready to learn!

What makes love Real?

"The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done."

This quote has been attributed to Mother Teresa who died 11 years ago today. So often we believe love has to be a reciprocal action - I'll love you as long as you love me....but does it?
Her quote reminded me of a similar dialogue which took place in an odd film, "Adaption" that came out about five years ago. It starred Nicholas Cage, who played twin brothers who were attempting to write a screenplay. They had differing views on just about everything but Donald's view on love has always stayed with me:

Charlie Kaufman: There was this time in high school. I was watching you out the library window. You were talking to Sarah Marsh.

Donald Kaufman: Oh, God. I was so in love with her.

Charlie Kaufman: I know. And you were flirting with her. And she was being really sweet to you.

Donald Kaufman: I remember that.

Charlie Kaufman: Then, when you walked away, she started making fun of you with Kim Canetti. And it was like they were laughing at *me*. You didn't know at all. You seemed so happy.

Donald Kaufman: I knew. I heard them.

Charlie Kaufman: How come you looked so happy?

Donald Kaufman: I loved Sarah, Charles. It was mine, that love. I owned it. Even Sarah didn't have the right to take it away. I can love whoever I want.

Charlie Kaufman: But she thought you were pathetic.

Donald Kaufman: That was her business, not mine. You are what you love, not what loves you. That's what I decided a long time ago.
pause............

Donald Kaufman: Whats up?

Charlie Kaufman: Thank you.

Donald Kaufman: For what?

So...in order for Love to be Real, must it be returned?

What makes us Somebodies?

When we enter into solitude to be alone with God,
we quickly discover how dependent we are.
Without the many distractions of our daily lives,
we feel anxious and tense.
When nobody speaks to us,
calls on us,
or needs our help,
we start feeling like nobodies.
Then we begin wondering whether we are
useful, valuable, or significant.
Our tendency is to leave this fearful solitude quickly
and get busy again to reassure ourselves that we are
'somebodies'.
But that is a temptation,
because what makes us somebodies
is not other people's responses to us
but God's eternal love for us."

To claim the truth of ourselves
we have to cling to our God in solitude
as to the One who makes us who we are.

Henri Nouwen

How to Treat People

"Treat people as if they were
what they ought to be,
and you help them to become
what they are capable of being."

- Goethe

The Labyrinth

Several days ago I took a walk on Elizabeth's+ delightful Labyrinth that is situated in the woods next to her home. I had not walked on it in over a year and was surprised by how much it had changed since the vegetation had grown considerably - or was it me that had changed? From the photo it looks rather flat but in actuality it has lots of twists and turns and obstacles (roots) to climb over - just like life. But don't be fooled - this is a labyrinth that demands your attention at all times.....no mindless strolling allowed here or you may end up on your butt!

I kept trying to remember what it was like during the last time i had entered it.....did this path turn to the right? Am i on the wrong path? Am i going the wrong way? Didn't i just make this turn? There was lots of chatter going on in my head and I had to stop occasionally just to quiet my thoughts.

Several times i looked up from the path in an attempt to see what lay ahead on this journey to the center & of course the path i thought would take me there was not the one that eventually did! It's true what they say - spiritual journeys are seldom linear. And that says a lot about all of our paths of discernment, does it not?

"What is a labyrinth? It is a path for prayer that leads from yearning towards joy, meaning, hope & peace. While it can be used for personal explorations, it also invites communal participation. What is planted here flowers in the gardens of our lives. Whether perplexed, overjoyed, confused, hopeful, hurt, distraught, happy, or simply curious, as we pray, God meets us here. It is not unusual to emerge from the labyrinth inspired, encouraged, grateful, and clearer about next steps." J.K.H. Geoffrion - Christian Prayer & Labyrinths

Gustav Prayer

For Those Affected by Hurricane Gustav

by Josh Thomas (taken from here)

O God, we pray for the victims of Hurricane Gustav in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cuba and the Gulf Coast of the United States. Many of these areas have already been battered by storms of poverty, hunger and official neglect; aid them with your mighty power. Comfort all those who mourn, restore all those who suffer loss, and help those of us who live in safety to reach out to them in service; in the name of Jesus, who understands our every suffering, and the Holy Spirit, who draws us ever closer in unity with you. Amen.