Finding time for the best parts of life

Enjoying the fruits of our labor is not an easy task in these times of much work and the many opportunities to do service whether it is for schools, church or other passions. However, carving out time to enjoy life is a key to making the other commitments a more joyful endeavor versus the feeling of being burdened. I myself say yes too often to many requests and then have a sense of frustration/irritation for not having time to be with friends and family. Over the past weeks I have made an extra effort to find time to be with family and friends and in doing so feel literally invigorated and joyful about being of service to my other commitments. Life is full and I know that in the fullness we miss some of the best parts of living. My best parts of life are being with family and friends and that has led me to more joy in all. Do you know the best parts of your life? Are you creating time for those best parts?

The changed life of a family

My sister Bridget has shared a sad story with us and asked for our prayers. One of her employees, while vacationing with his young family in Mexico, experienced a tragedy that no doubt has brings deep sorrow and pain for him and his family. While his 14 year old triplet children were jet skiing one of them crashed and was killed. Far from home, and now with the loss of a child, a changed life for this family begins. I was praying last night and thought about his daughter that died, she is at peace passing from this life into heaven. For those us that believe in heaven, we think of a place of deep peace. If only this family will see that their daughter's tragic death has enabled her to move to the peace of heaven, maybe their own suffering might be lessened. Nothing anyone can do will change what has happened. I ask all of us that believe in the power of prayerful intention, to pray that this family will not allow the loss of their daughter to bring their own lives to death here on earth. So often when one loses a child, the whole family dies from the agony of the depth of what I see as the greatest suffering, the loss of a child. I pray that they will live more fully experiencing life as the gift it is and see their daughter's new life in heaven as inspiration for creating LIFE here in this changed family. Bridget, I am continuing my vigil for this family to experience more peaceful moments than sorrow.

Folding Laundry

Folding laundry is one of my favorite meditations. It allows me to accomplish something necessary while quieting my mind in what others may consider an overwhelming task. As I fold laundry, I am present to the feel of the fabric, the effort that went into making and designing the article I am folding whether it is a towel or a pair of pajamas. I practice focusing on the piece I am folding. Those reading this might think this is insane, perhaps yes. However if you lived my life filled to the brim with activity, rushing to and fro, constant emails, phone calls and other inputs to accomplish work related matters also known as my career, those same people may consider this the real insanity. For today, folding the laundry became a blessing manifested in a simple, quiet, and restful day. Bring me another load of laundry.

Sister Sisters

Tuesday night we had the great pleasure of spending an evening of joyful celebration with our beloved Maryknoll sisters. We shared a meal, told stories of our time in Africa, and learned of the good work they are doing with the Dublin women's jail ministry, crisis centers and the teaching of liberation theology at UC Berkeley. The time passed quickly and yet in those few hours together a bond of love transformed a time of tension and chaos that I was experiencing in my work. Being with the sisters of Maryknoll and my sister Bridget was a gift that has been sustaining me this week that is filled with long hours, tension and frustration. It is amazing the ability to recall Tuesday evening into the next day as a reminder of what is most important in my life: family, friends and presence to the relationships we form with colleagues, friends and people. Sometimes we humans are so fragile; we break easily and must find healing through being with "sisters". I hope today to bring the healing of sisterhood to everyone I meet, for I am called to be a sister to my little missionary world called my career. Sr. Ruth, Sr. Nancy, Sr. Joann, Sr. Becky and Sr. Bridget, thank you.

Nick Vujicic Happy Valentine's Day 2010

I first saw him at the San Anotonia, TX airport on Feb 7, 2010, sitting across from me while waiting for our flight to Los Angeles. Suddenly I realized he had no arms and legs and yet he seemed happy. His helper and his helper's girlfriend just sat there, three friends engaged in a life that is very different then most of us will even know. A man with no arms and no legs, sitting in the airport chair, with his wheel chair and helper companion close at hand. I thought a million thoughts, how does he eat and then his companion fed him the fruit. Another man came over to say thank you for the motivational talk he must have given while in TX. Nick, whose name I found doing a Google search, greeted him with gratitude and told the man who had courageously come up to thank him, "give me a hug man". I watched amazed at Nick's grace, confidence and leadership. Nick, you inspire me. In that moment watching you get fed the fruit that you and your companions had bought, I realized I was in the presence of someone very special. As a Christian, I thought Jesus' dying on the cross was nothing compare to living a whole life with no arms and legs and yet being of the same depth of service and inspiration as Christ. I was touched by your capacity to live, to be as you are and to obviously inspire. I am grateful that I sat across from you. I am disappointed I did not have the courage to talk with you. I am moved to be more and to do it in honor of you. Keep up the great work Nick Vujicic. You have inspired more courage in me to be more than I thought I could be. Happy Valentine's Day.

Being on the yoga mat all day

In our yoga practice we begin by bringing our presence to the mat. We do this through sitting and closing our eyes and watching our breath breathe us. This simple practice allows me to feel very present and says here I am mind and body and no where else. I find that being on the mat is a place of great peace of mind and even through the rigor of the vinyasa yoga practice, my body while working is deeply rested. I even have a friend, when he sees me outside of yoga with any agitation or frustration, reminds me to get on the mat. As Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD and a founder of Yoga Journal magazine stated, "Practice and life are not that different. That's a fundamental understanding. I don't do my life any differently from what I do on the mat." This in itself is my practice to bring the peaceful presence and nowness found on the mat to the other activities my daily life.

"I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." St Therese of Lisieux

As I ponder my new year's resolutions and goals, I came upon this quotation from St. Therese, "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." I want it to be my inspiration for this year and hopefully for life. Of course, I will continue with my goals for fitness, financial planning, household projects and spiritual development; however St. Theresa's way shall guide me this year. My father has frequently said that he has experienced heaven on earth from the love of his wife (my mother) and the joy of his children and grandchildren. No doubt, our family has been deeply blessed. This blessed way comes not only from our faith, it also is reflected through my father and mother's service and "doing good" for each other, their children, their community and even at ages 81 and 85 they continue to do good. My mother volunteers for hospice and both my parents are volunteers at church working the gift store, bringing food for receptions following the funeral of a fellow parishioner, even for those they do not know. We just shared 12 days together for the Christmas celebration and each day mom and dad would cook, bake, do our laundry, take us places, and create a most beautiful Christmas break. This has been our life, our parents doing good. I would say that St. Theresa is onto something, the more good we do, the more heaven becomes part of this life.