Inspired by Scholastica

TV ads bombard us with "must haves" and "can’t live withouts" filling every channel − new improved cleaners, softer gentler tissues, faster safer automobiles, cheaper better insurance coverage − the boasts go on and on. Saturated and sated, we mute the noise, the clamor, the rabble, rejecting outrageous claims of bigger and better, refusing to succumb to lures and lies, willing to keep the tried and true unconvinced by the hype.

Many of us battle internal negative chatter like "You're not good enough, you're not smart enough, you're not attractive enough." The last thing we need is criticism or condemnation. What we really need is encouragement. We need bosses who commend their employees for doing good work. We need parents who praise their children for their achievements. We need teachers who compliment students' successes. We need leaders who bring out the best in their followers. Encouragers know how to make others feel important and valuable. They take time to convey uplifting words and positive messages. They know that life is filled with challenges and difficulties, and they will do anything they can to lighten the burden. Encouragers are strong, caring people who are not filled with their own egos, but quick to boost others' self-esteem. Encouragers make a difference in the lives of others. They can often enable a discouraged person to try again, or a depressed pers...

    In the gospel for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus asked the apostles, "Who do people say I am?" and then, "Who do you say I am?" Was Jesus really curious to know what people thought of him? Maybe. We all wonder what others think of us, but usually don't have the courage to ask. Perhaps Jesus was testing the waters to see whether he was really being understood by those around him. When Peter says, "You are the Christ of God," he knows that Peter has been profoundly affected by their relationship, even though he doesn't fully understand what he is saying yet. Peter's  faith and love have yet to be tested by Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, and his own denial. It might be a good idea to ask our friends who they think we are. If we are honest with ourselves, we know we are flawed yet worthy of love and acceptance. But sometimes we need to hear others tell us who we for them, what our assets, as well as our liabilities,...

Everybody says getting old is the pits, a dreaded thing, but I think aging is a blessing. I can take a nap, read a book, sit in a rocking chair without guilt. People just smile if I forget their name or what I came to do, I get discounts at stores and movies, assistance in carrying my groceries preference in acquiring a seat. But the best thing of all is looking at the young and knowing those scary, hectic, troubling times are over. No more worrying about latest styles, or the right shade of makeup or how I look in a bathing suit. Now I wear anything that’s comfortable, don’t care about spots and wrinkles, or getting lost in the parking lot, just glad to be alive and navigating!

   Why write a blog? 1. It's a good way to share your ideas on topics that are important to you. Most of us like to express our opinion and see if other people agree or disagree with us. 2. It's a means of reaching a wider audience than your family or friends. Some blogs have an audience of hundreds or even thousands. 3. It can be a way to make extra money if you write for a business. Companies are willing to pay good money to advertise services or products. 4. It's interesting to get feedback from people who don't even know you. Whether they agree or disagree, people are reading what you write. 5. It's a good way to keep your brain active and increase your vocabulary. Words and ideas stimulate your ability to communicate effectively. Blogs aren't for everyone. You have to be able to write coherently and time to devote to it. It helps to be well read so you have some facts to back up your opinions. Pictures and graphics to embellish your ideas require...

When I was growing up, I somehow got the message I needed to be perfect. When I entered the convent I continued to strive for perfection. It took me a few years to realize that perfection was an unattainable goal. I learned to accept my failures and faults, but I never knew about a spirituality of imperfection. I just thought I had to be content with not ever attaining my desired goal and realize my humanness. Then I heard about a retreat on the spirituality of imperfection and found a book with the same name by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham. I learned that AA is based on the spirituality of imperfection and the 12 steps enable a person to acknowledge that he/she is not God and seek help with others in need of healing. I began to see the foolishness of berating myself for my shortcomings and the wisdom of acknowledging that pain and failure are a part of life.  All our yearnings for perfection, completion, wholeness are unreachable because we are human. Since the s...