Aligning with Grace

I posted a variation of the following on my website this morning, and thought I would share it here as well... One of my favorite quotes by St. Francis de Sales is: “Be who you are, and be that well.” This quote is one that all students attending Visitation schools learn and I believe learn well, although it  can be a tall order at times and it's not always easy to actually embody. But really? Who else can we possibly be? All we can ever aspire to be is to be ourselves - genuinely and completely. So take a moment, and think of your own unique attributes, and what only you can contribute to any situation. There is a way we can approach and contribute to life in general that is our unique expression. We can each make this world a better place in a particular way. If this seems to much to comprehend or bear, then just for today, be who you are, and be that well! Yes, just one day at a time! And over a succession of moments, and days, and then months and years - you will...

The title for this post came after a particularly trying day for me, involving change and releasing the past. A dear friend noted that such an experience can ultimately be joyous, even when we cannot see it that way. This morning, I reflected on the stories behind the two 90 second meditations I posted most recently. Yesterday's meditation revolved around a story I heard years ago, but which became familiar to many after the movie "The Bucket List." It is told, that before an ancient Egyptian was allowed to cross over into the afterlife, he or she was asked two questions: "Did you find joy? Did you bring joy?" In other words, have you allowed yourself to experience joy in your life? And have you embodied, reflected, and shared it with others? It seems simple enough, but often, we lives our quotidian lives without any joy, overlooking the simple things in life that can bring us joy: a smile, a friend's laugh, a warm cup of tea, birds chirping o...

Just for today, on this snowy day,  I am reminded of love, of beauty,  Of all that is meaningful, And holds my heart captive... Just for today, on the biggest snowfall Of the last few years, I am reminded of what is important, And what is not... Just for today, my heart bids me slow down, And invites me into its sacred and hidden abode, To go there and roam aimlessly... Just for today, I will put aside anxious thoughts, Avoiding all discussions or words, Pulling my center o ut of its gravitational orbit,  That is Divine in both nature and origin... Today, and every day,  Let me be all I must be... Today, and every day, Let me love unconditionally... Today, and every day, Let me do my work, And do it well... Today, and every day, May I not forget the true purpose of life - Which is to embody And express love, In every way imaginable... Just for today, I am grateful. Today, I am filled with love. Today, I see the beauty that i...

For the last week or so, I have been reflecting on a teaching from the Bhagavad Gita , which instructs that we should do our work - and then let it go... More specifically, the teaching is really about how we are never entitled to the fruits of our actions. It is certainly our choice whether to act or not in a situation. We are in "control" of that, so to speak, but we are never in control of the outcome of our actions. It does not belong to us. It belongs to God. So teaches this text, beloved to so many... And by the way, even our choice not to act - it is in itself an action. So, we are never truly free from choice... In some ways, this is very freeing - if we truly understand the teaching and internalize it. And if we do, it means we must let go of  all expectations - and if we truly do that - then we cannot really feel hurt by what others do - or do not do, in our lives... In fact, we wouldn't even be concerned with what others do or do not. (Am I sounding lik...