Unplugged

When I signed up for NaBloPoMo, I forgot the small detail that I spend the last weekend in November disconnected from technology. Completely unplugged. Away from the interwebs.

From today until Monday morning, I will not be online. At All.

Thanks to the magic of “pre-publishing” blog posts, I plan to complete NaBloPoMo anyway, but as you read this, I’m already enjoying the disconnect from the world.

For some, the idea of spending an entire weekend away from the internet, television, radio, their cell phones, might be far too much to handle.

In the past, this was true for myself as well.

And truthfully, my cell phone will be with me this weekend. Just in case.

But let’s be honest…considering most of my immediate family will be involved working this youth retreat, and my closest friends will also be there with me…what purpose could I possibly have for technology, for the internet, for my cell phone?

The phone will remain in my bag and probably only be used as an alarm clock, to rise me out of bed on our WAY TOO EARLY mornings during the retreat weekend.

While in years past the idea of being “away” scared me some, today, I am excited for the opportunity to step away.

Each year, this weekend forces us (myself and those others involved) to hit PAUSE on our lives and focus on what truly matters. On our inner thoughts, on our God, and on love.

I return to the world on Monday exhausted, but fully recharged. Full of love, full of hope, full of the belief that I can do this, I can make it another day, week, month, year, and make a difference.

Sometimes, before you can plug back in and light the world, you need to take a moment to recharge your batteries…

Unplugged I leave you with this:

Even if only for a few hours, remove yourself from the outside influences of the world, and take some time to reflect. Pray, meditate, exercise, dream, sing, read, but do something you love, something that reminds you of the simple pleasures of the world. Do it alone, or with someone you love. Hug a friend, tell your family how much they matter to you.

Take the time…recharge your batteries.

The internet isn’t going anywhere. It’ll be there when you’re done.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Turkey, Tryptophan and Thanks

It’s Thanksgiving day in the good ol’ USA. For most of us this means family time (good or bad), football, and way too much food.

Across the nation we eat, complain about how much we ate, watch whatever game is on, and reminisce of Thanksgivings past.

Many people will take the latter part of the day to formulate their plan of attack for the next morning’s Black Friday sales.

For some, perhaps way too many of our nation’s citizens, however, Thanksgiving day is just one more day to struggle in the cold, searching for a simple meal and warm shelter.

I ask that you remember those less fortunate than you on this (and every) day. When you’re about to blow up at a relative, remember those with no family; when you are stressing about the mashed potatoes not being “just right”, think of how blessed you are to be eating such a meal.

This post is not meant to depress or make any one of us feel guilty for what we have. Just the opposite, in fact.

BE AWARE, BE THANKFUL, BE BLESSED and don’t lose sight of the important things this holiday.

It is Thanksgiving…Give Thanks for your blessings…and if you can, when it’s all said and done, GIVE BACK.

I’ll be spending my Thanksgiving with my family, eating, laughing, celebrating.

And on Friday morning, instead of hitting the sales, like I used to, I’ll be heading to a retreat center to help lead a group of teenagers through a youth retreat, hoping to guide them a little closer to God, and to offer them an alternative to the greed, ugliness, sadness and despair in the world.

For a professed shopaholic like myself, giving up Black Friday sales, which I used to call “The Shopping Olympics”, used to be a sacrifice. I find that now, I’m thankful. I’m thankful that I spend that time after Thanksgiving day away from the world, away from technology, away from retail, away from the news, and completely enveloped by God’s love, by my faith family and friends, and by the youth…our future.

I can’t think of a better way to give back, and to give Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Only the Good Friday - Even in Bad Times

This has been a particularly tough week for me emotionally. My birthday is next week, and I find myself not exactly thrilled about it. It is not about the 'getting older' thing, but birthdays have a way of making you take note of where you are in life, the people around you, etc. etc.

So, anyway, without getting into all of it, because this is, after all, ONLY THE GOOD Friday, I've had a tough week.

And yet, even through it all, I have had these amazing glimmers of the amazing, wonderful, fantastic life I have.

THIS is my good today then.

My GOOD is that when my heart was breaking on Monday, and I was crying on the phone to my mother about how alone I felt in the world, she was there for me to talk to. My mom is amazing and my very best friend, and I love her.

My GOOD is that while I was moping about my woes, there were friends, specifically some Twitter friends, and a few others, who made me feel loved, and special, and not so alone in the world.

My GOOD is that when I took a step back from thinking about ME and had an honest, heartfelt conversation with God, HE made it clear to me that I need not worry.

My GOOD is that in the midst of this funk of mine, little hilarious things happened to make me laugh myself to tears, the sort of laughter we don't always get to experience.

My GOOD is that when I stopped long enough to realize that I don't need to sink into this depression, things really didn't look so bleak after all.

My GOOD is that yesterday I received the most unexpected and ridiculously indulgent surprise, which will make me a giddy 13 year old girl for weeks to come.

My GOOD is that I am alive, I am blessed, and I am NOT alone, even when I might think I am.

I'm still not completely out of my funk. I'm still not completely over the hurt. I'm still not completely over the feeling of neglect, abandonment, loneliness.

And yet...

In my heart, where it really matters, I know better.

Please go and visit Shelly and let her know what's GOOD in your Friday.

Only The Good Friday - Count Your Blessings

I’m doing things a little bit differently for Only The Good today.

I had a moment yesterday. I learned, quite by accident, that a very casual acquaintance, who I’d only met once or twice, but who played a pretty important role in a friend’s life, passed away. Quite young, and unexpectedly. It shook me.

So today, on Only The Good Friday, I just want to focus on all the things that are indeed so good, but we may possibly take for granted on a daily basis…

Waking up in the cocoon of your own bed,

The feel of warm water hitting your head as you step in the shower

A plush robe

The smell of fresh brewed coffee

Putting on your favorite pair of shoes

Turning the key in the ignition of your new (or old, but beloved) car

Saying good morning to the coworkers you genuinely like

Receiving a text, email, phone call from a friend

That second cup of coffee at your desk

Hearing that song you’d forgotten you love

The satisfaction of completing a project at work

Seeing it is clock out time

Unexpected dinner plans with a friend

Sweating it out at the gym

Taking off your shoes at the end of the day

Comfy pj’s

Lighting your favorite candle

The couch, the television, your snuggie, relax time

A heartfelt prayer of thanks at the end of the night

That moment just before you drift off to sleep, when you realize you’re almost out…

Take a second…count your blessings…Life is SO GOOD…don’t let it pass you by focusing on the trivial details that mire us down.

Not Unlike a Sponge

When the world hurts, my heart breaks.

It's always been that way for me, I'm incredibly empathetic and that has served me as well as hurt me in life.

I think my sensitivity is a gift in so many ways. It makes me a caring person, always willing to reach out and help others who need it. I'm sympathetic to the plights of the world, and want to be involved, to make a difference, and that is a very good thing, isn't it?

Except, it works the opposite way too. I'm not just sympathetic to the pain in the world, I tend to SOAK it up, not unlike a sponge.

Many years ago, I decided to stop watching the news, because I couldn't make it through a newscast without tearing up. Truth is, I still can't. The state of our world breaks my heart, over and over again.

The violence, the anger, the diseases, the addictions, the misplaced passion, the ignorance, the utter lack of communication and understanding, all these things, reach deep into my soul and I have a hard time accepting that I'm just supposed to go on about my business.

But the truth is, that is all I can do. Go on about my business. My business of living life the best way I can. Helping others when I can, loving those close to me, enjoying each day to its fullest. And praying.

After all, that is all any of us can do, isn't it?

And most days, this is enough. Most days.

But not today. Not today when an entire country is suffering. When the news of the earthquake in Haiti first hit, I reacted in much the same way I do with most news. "oh, that's terrible, I'll say a prayer, or two or thirty", and then off with the news, I don't want to know, see, hear, learn any of it.

And then today the statistics, the numbers, the facts, the pictures started trickling in. I learned most of them on Twitter, where I seem to get most of my news nowadays. And again, my heart broke. Over and over and over again.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say. I'm not even entirely sure I know what to feel.

I just know going on about my business feels wrong somehow.

In one way, a tragedy such as this serves as a reminder of how important it is to live each day fully...really live. To appreciate the small blessings, to make sure your loved ones know how loved they are, to not get so hung up on the trivial things. So, in that sense, I feel going about my business is exactly what I should do.

But then, there is the guilt, how can I just keep on when so many have lost so much? How can that be okay?

So, I pray. And I write. And then I pray some more.

Thank You

Picture This

The scene opens on a woman, early 30’s, fit, dressed comfortably, but fashionably in a long t-shirt, hoodie and tights. Hair in a careful constructed, yet messy bun, and comfortable ballet flats on her feet.

She takes one last look around her condo. Not a flashy apartment, but a stylish yet homey place. She smiles to herself as she turns off the last light and grabs her suitcase, purse, and sunglasses.

She is off once again on an adventure, headed to the airport, for her third vacation in less than 7 months.

To herself she is thinking “Damn, I am blessed, I lead a charmed life…please God, don’t ever let me take any of this for granted”.

In that moment, she quickly assesses her life. She is single, but extremely comfortable, and at peace with that fact. She has the greatest family, and without questions some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. A good job, her own home, a new car, and other less necessary, but still highly enjoyable material possessions. She travels frequently, enjoys an active social life, and also has the opportunity to spend quality time with herself, all alone, on her comfy couch in front of the television. She has grown in her relationship with God by leaps and bounds recently, and is also a leader with the youth of her parish, a position that gives her much joy and pride.

Blessed does not even begin to cover it. Charmed seems too…superficial to truly explain it.
But life is good, no doubt, and as she sets off on this next trip, she can’t help thanking God once again for her many blessings, and praying that she always notices each and every one of them.

Life isn’t always sunny, and there are internal struggles, and stresses, and off days. She has moments of great despair, fear, and even confusion. At times, there is even great loneliness that overtakes and envelops her.

The future is uncertain for everyone, and even she, with all her blessings, wonders what lies in store. Will she fall in love ever again? Will she ever have a family like the one she is heading out to visit with? Will she grow old without a partner by her side? Will she grow old? Will some great tragedy strike and knock her on her knees? Can life possibly be this wondrous, this amazing and sustain itself?

Often times those thoughts can knock her breathless. Take away all strength and reason.

She pauses for a moment as all of this washes through her. The good and the bad. This eternal, internal battle we each face daily. To appreciate the blessings and fear the unknown. To embrace life, and yet, be prepared for it’s curveballs.

She adjusts her purse on her shoulder and smiles once again. THIS MOMENT…the only one she can, should and will concern herself with, is beautiful. The unknown will just have to wait it’s turn.

For now, life is beautiful, it’s a blessing, and she…she is grateful.

She? She is me. Thank you God.