A plea to offer prayer intention for peace to the couple in Pittsburgh

I only saw a brief snippet on yahoo news regarding the tragedy of their child losing his balance and falling into a local zoo's wild African dog exhibit.  The child fell when the parent was trying to give him a better view of these most dangerous dogs. I know there is much suffering in the world, struggle in life, loss and other life challenges. This story, however, causes a deep pain for all of us as we know that it could be any one of us that this may have happened.  We never understand fully why things happen to some versus others. There are no explanations that can reduce the depth of sorrow, pain and suffering these parents and extended family will endure.  However, for today, when you read this, or other heart breaking stories, stop, breathe, and pray that this family will find the peace that their little child now knows in the resting state many call heaven.  We are with you in prayer. Allow us to absorb some of you pain so that your pain may be lessened. Together, we walk with you, leading you to peace.

Answers in the silence

My nephew told me he was talking to God on night and that God was not talking back to him. My nephew, soon to be 13, is an old soul, and is moving through the joy and struggle of adolescence. I tried to explain that God whispers to us. I shared that I find answers in quiet and even silence. Truly a difficult concept to share: the divine is within, and nudges us to take one path versus another, sends a dove, deer, puppy, or friend as a reminder of God's presence. I see my nephew as a seeker and I am too naive on my own journey to know the words to guide him. I have found that in my own silence I hear more deeply, I feel more peace and I know God's presence. Even now, as the quiet of morning is only disturbed by the tapping of my fingers on the keyboard, I hear "I love you". I pause as I breathe in that Presence, God holds me, God knows me, God loves me. God, I pray it does not take my nephew 49 years to know that You speaks to us in silence. Yes I hear you, stop tapping and be with Me.

Who sees all being in his own SELF

"Who sees all beings in his own Self and his own Self in all beings, loses all fear". This quote comes from the Isa Upanishad. I continue a periodic meditation and want to do it daily however I allow other distractions to keep me from sitting. This morning, in The Book of Awakening by Mark Nero, a gift from Joan Trabucco, I read the quote above, and the reflection Mark wrote and it resonated with me. Practicing seeing me in everyone helps to take away judgment, enhance compassion and deepen each relationship. I have also been practicing being in the present moment. As my mind wanders to worry about the future, I keep bringing myself back to experience where I am, who I am with and find the beauty of each moment deepening.

My neighbor Jenny

Jenny is 95 and we see her sweeping her yard, getting her newspaper and taking her recycling and garbage cans to the curb each week. She is vibrant and friendly and knows the history of our neighbors, and our home as she has lived in her home across the street since 1957. She maintains her yard beautifully, and she invited me to see her backyard yesterday. WOW, like the paradise I imagine. She has a green lawn with a bird bath in the middle and surrounding the lawn are big beautiful hedges and trees. She grows beautiful geraniums, most from clippings. Jenny's life is simple and she claims her good health is from taking care of her garden. I believe her and I think this is the best advice for healthy living. She is living proof of her claim. My brief encounters with Jenny are always joyful and filled with a nugget of interesting facts or tips on living. Thank you Jenny.

Letting my compass guide me

Sometimes I am clouded by society's measures of success: having more money, bigger house, exotic travels, younger body and all of the material matters you or I can name. I continue to seek my way out of the clouds through meditation, my yoga practice and returning to my values, most especially faith, family, friends and health. In my practice today, the image of an inner compass guiding me to contentment was present in every breath. When I focus on my breathing and notice the inhalation, the subtle pause and the exhalation, the peace that is within becomes ever present. The idea of following my compass, perhaps a metaphor for following the Holy Spirit dwelling within, in order to balance my life between earth's realities and heaven's graces, I am allowing the compass to create the path of balance. Today, I felt contentment as lightness of being, literally lifting me into heaven while being fully grounded "rooted" to earth. What earth represents I will describe as my basic needs of food, shelter, meaningful work and what heaven represents I will describe as quiet, peace and contentment. My compass pulls me into a balance between earth's call to focus and work and be productive and heaven's call to live with grace and in peace. Perhaps the enlightenment for today is that bringing the grace and peace to my daily work has created contentment beyond all measure. My compass is guiding me in every moment to grace and contentment

Meditation for today

It began with forgiveness, gratitude, petition, and became reflection, silence, tears, lightness and healing. This was the order of my meditation this morning. I wish for you today to close your eyes, sit quietly and find the healing of just being in God's presence. Love Gretchen

My Lenten Journey

Aspiring to simplicity as a lifestyle has brought much joy. Lent, a season in the Christian faith marks the 40 days before Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the penitential preparation of the believer—through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. This year like many years I'm giving up something and trying to do more for the poor, particularly through my service in St. Vincent de Paul. Also this year I took a broader approach to my overall journey and that is trying to live more simply. For me, this includes walking as often as possible, eating light meals with fresh ingredients, praying as a way of life, and practicing moderation in food, drink, activity, to do lists and other areas that try to lure me into gluttony. I am finding that being this is creating a simplicity that is life giving. I feel more alive every day, my energy has increased exponentially and frustrations dissipate sooner. My Lenten journey of prayer and penance is creating peace, almsgiving is returning gifts of love untold and self denial is bringing joy in abundance. Perhaps I shall continue these 40 days forever.