Inspired by Scholastica

I just came across some great ways to deal with the burdens of life. First, Just accept that some days, you're the pigeon and, some days, you're the statue. That's realism, for sure. You can't always be on the top and sometimes you deserve the cr     . Second, Always keep your words soft and sweet - just in case you have to eat them. Good reminder that bitter and angry words are hard to swallow. Third, Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. If you're always trying to do it perfectly, you'll never have any fun. Just let go and enjoy the music. Fourth, Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live . Don't get depressed about growing older. Hopefully, you are growing wiser and more tolerant too. Fifth, A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. Sure detours are a nuisance and might make you late, but there's nothing you do about it. So take in the diversion and be glad for n...

Most of us believe that it is good to be generous to a certain extent. But to be overly generous might mean we won't have enough for ourselves. Yet evidence shows that people who give without measure actually receive much more. It depends on if you have a "scarcity mentality" or an "abundance mentality."  Those who have a scarcity mentality believe everything is limited. They are afraid they will not have enough so they hold back from giving. Actually they end up getting the opposite of what they want in life. On the other hand, those who have an abundance mentality can't wait to give and make others happy. They thrive on being generous and in return, God blesses them with more so they can keep on giving. In the book of Proverbs, we read, " One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." What ...

  John the Baptist tells his hearers to "Prepare the way of the Lord," and do it quickly because you don't have much time. Certainly Jesus only spent three years in public ministry so he must have felt an urgency to spread his message of love and mercy. And in the early days of Christianity, people expected Jesus to return within their lifetime so they must have felt some pressure to be ready. Each Advent we remind ourselves that Jesus' coming is certain and his day is near. Yet most of us are very busy in these days before Christmas, shopping, decorating, sending cards, and making special holiday treats. That's not the preparation John is talking about. He called people to repentance, to a change of heart. We ought to be about preparing our hearts to receive him through silence, prayer, and awareness. Silence is hard to come by during Advent when we are bombarded by commercials and Christmas carols. Prayer is often squeezed in at the end of the day when w...

I just read an article about DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals) recipients and how much they contribute to our economy, our democracy, and our society. Many of these young people, who were brought to America by their parents and know no other country, are college students, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, and skilled workers. They appreciate the chance they were given to live in the United States and want to use their talents and gifts to give back. According to Jack Reardon, president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, DACA recipients are working in nearly every sector of our economy from hospitality to technology, and their economic power is indisputable." Research shows that Dreamers earn almost $19.9 billion in annual income, and contribute more than $3 billion to federal and state taxes.  As baby boomers age and families are smaller Dreamers are a vital part of our future. Instead of deporting them, we need to ensure that hard-working im...

During the last few months, we  have had terrible catastrophes, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and forest fires. Newspapers are filled with depressing news of mass shootings, corruption,  and sexual harrassment. We are bombarded with attacks on a free press and nasty political  battlegrounds. Yet during this Advent season we are supposed to rejoice and be glad for our Savior  has come. Where will we find the joy we want to experience during this holy season? Here are a few suggestions: !. Spend time with people who are optimistic and hopeful; avoid those who are pessimistic and negative. 2. Surprise neighbors with a homemade pie or cookies and enjoy their surprise and delight. 3. Start laughing in a group for no reason at all and others will join you. A good laugh relieves stress. 4. Watch children playing on a playground and let their spontaneous antics warm your heart. 5. Stop watching the news or reading the newspaper for one or two days a w...

Many families gather for a festive meal at Thanksgiving. Aunts and uncles and cousins come from near and far to celebrate this special day. We usually eat too much but who can resist turkey and gravy and cranberries and pumpkin pie? All usually goes well until the subject of politics comes up. It is better to avoid the topic, but someone always seems to bemoan the party in charge or disagree vehemently on  some current issue. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief when a brave soul deftly changes the subject. It is far better to focus on people  we are grateful for during this Thanksgiving season, especially those who we take for granted, like the newspaper carrier, the one who makes the morning coffee, the one who empties the trash, the one who takes care of the recycling. We often fail to thank the one who brings a fragile elderly aunt or an uncle who has dementia to enjoy the festivities, or perhaps we fail to notice the extra effort someone contributes to the gathering...

A man came into the Catholic Charities food pantry recently and asked about joining a church. He said he was a sinner and wanted to “get right with God.” His big motivation seemed to be that his mother had recently died and he wanted to see her again in heaven. I thought of the many ways God draws people to repentance. St. Paul was knocked off a horse and many responded to John the Baptist's call to epent and be baptized. People often ask for a priest or minister on their death bed and some who receive a diagnosis of a terminal illness decide to make peace with God. Joining a church might provide the support and inspiration a person needs to turn his/her life around. But it’s not a sure thing. The person may need to be reconciled with a family member, or they may require help to learn self-control or to heal past traumas,  or they may have to sever a relationship that is leading them astray. Humans are very complicated individuals and making changes is one of the bigge...