Just a little mind map…

Recently I had to fill in those “security questions” for a particular site.  The one question was what is my favorite song and I thought, “I don’t have an all-time favorite, so when asked to provide this answer down the line, I’ll have no clue as to what I put down!” And, it happened. I had to call the institution to change the questions.

So, I just happened to be searching for songs to add to a playlist that I wanted to be uplifting AND  have some specific significance for me at this exact point and what I’m needing guidance and inspiration around.

No surprise that my intuition brought me to this song instantly. I am always  deepely moved whenever I hear it.

I do feel it from a romantic perspective and that desire to have a connection with the man in my life..to trust him completely in this way and to know that he trusts me in the same way.

And, I have always felt a deep, profound connection to God when I hear it. It resonates completely through my body and washes away my fears. This is the connection I’m feeling today. This is what I am needing in this trying time.

And in the deepest sense, I feel God in Me when I listen now. I can trust myself as equally as I trust God…because I am from Him and part of Him.

There is a little mantra that I have used in times of immediate stress – “Be still and know that I am God.” Saying this grounds me and brings me calmness and joy.

This song was originally written and sung by John Hiatt. It has been covered by many artists including Joe Cocker, Chaka Kan, Etta James and more recently I heard it in a movie performed by Bon Jovi and Lea Michele – it was incredibly beautiful – the duet of their voices is just amazing.

It’s funny how this happens. I stumble on this song and then all of a sudden it shows up in other places and takes me by surprise and brings me utter delight.

I’ve provided a video of the Joe Cocker version because I have always been a big fan of his and the black and white picture journey is beautiful.

So, for this week, this is my favorite song of all time. And, it might just stay there.

Here’s the link to the vid – take a moment to watch. Always have faith….

She

Had a desire to re-visit this today.

The Invitation
Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes.’

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K86JKQg6O40&feature=youtu.be

What are my words now in my sorrow?

Today, Jim Skerl, was honored by his family, friends, and all those he touched. His Mass was beautiful and moving.  Jim had arranged it all before his death so as not to be a burden to his family.

Something in the service that was quite unique left me trembling in the Love that was being expressed for this man.  Here’s the background on this.

Jim was a theology teacher at St. Ignatius High School, in Cleveland, OH.  About 12 yrs ago he wanted to have his students “live” their Christian faith in the local community.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead

Jim was attending to his students spiritually by suggesting they take one of the Corporal Works of Mercy out into their world. He began a program called the St. Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearer Society. It’s open to only upperclassmen and more than 300 students each year take part.

The name of the program comes from the story when Joseph of Arimathea along with Nicodemus claimed the body of Jesus after he died on the cross. See: John 19:38-42.

When someone dies and that person doesn’t have many friends or family, pallbearers are needed.  There is a makeshift cemetery called “Potters Field” where indigent people (often with no name) are buried. Many of the graves are marked only with two sticks making a cross.

Jim wanted the young men of St. Ignatius to be available for these people as pallbearers and anyone else who might need them. Word spread and soon they had requests for several 100 pallbearers every year.

Back to the service today. I had wondered that so many of his students would want to be his pallbearers and how they might be chosen, if at all.  Before the procession of the casket and Jim’s family, about 200 or so young men lined up on either side of the aisle.  At first I wondered what was happening but it became clear almost immediately. They were all current or former students who had participated in this program of pallbearers. It truly was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. They were ALL his pallbearers.

Jim created many other programs with his students to serve the Cleveland community.  You can read more about these here.

I met Jim back in the 90’s at John Carroll University (where he also went to college).  He taught an evening class, Introduction to Religious Studies.  This was my very first class at Carroll.  I will never forget it.

I was raised as a Catholic; however, it had been a long time since I had been “practicing” my faith.  I chose to attend Carroll partially to re-visit my beliefs AND it is a great school!  It can only now seem like divine providence that my 1st class was with Mr. Skerl.

I was also taking a journalism class at the time and we had to write an article about someone with whom we were impressed.  I chose Jim. I learned more about this man while interviewing him.  Little did I know the real impact he was having on me at the time. He re-invigorated my faith in many ways beyond just his class.  I got an “A” on the article, ha ha, but it was pretty easy given my subject.

Back in 1999 my mom died of pancreatic cancer.  While I was at the hospice with my mom night after night, I reached out to Jim for guidance. We had stayed in touch periodically. He was a comfort to me in a very sad time. Jim also died of pancreatic cancer.

His students thought he was cool.  He said his father used to call him “simple shit.” But, he was very proud of him.

Simple? Maybe – as in living simply. But, Jim was wealthy in his soul.

In one of Jim’s favorite books, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a fox tells The Little Prince, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

“Men have forgotten this truth,” said the fox.  “You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.”

Jim Skerl lived this.

During the service, the priest said that Jim’s nephew had said, “God must be so excited to get Uncle Jim there!”

I loved Jim Skerl.

Today, when you are out and about, please consider these words  from Les Misérables (that Jim loved),  “To love another person is to see the face of God.”

Live your goodness.

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

 Chapter III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

 Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

– Portia Nelson

What a fantastic show!

I watched this back in the late 80’s early 90’s and remember loving it – being so moved – even though I really knew nothing about this war.

I recently stumbled on it again as they are now releasing old TV shows on DVD.  I got the 1st season from the library and was hooked into almost non-stop watching.  I just got the 4th and final season that was released yesterday.

If you have never seen it, give it a try.  In comparison of TV dramas now, nothing really compares to the quality of this amazing show.

Here’s a short YouTube video which lists a number of clips to watch – this alone is great.

For those reading this in an email, click on the Title of this post to see the video – it’s worth it!

What an important time in our history.

Dr. Attia is one of the smartest and most humble people I have ever listened to in a TED talk or anywhere.  I never miss a post of his.  The Title comes from another talk of his.

Here is a great product.  The original is only $18.  And, there  are many other options.  The slim wristband can be worn daily.

This is simply great if one is out alone and need emergency care. It can be completely customized to include the information you want readily available.

I have my site hosted with GoDaddy. When my site was recently hacked, I knew that they typically do not get involved with resolving such an issue. They host the site only. So, it did not occur to me to touch base with them first (or ever).

I tried reaching out to many so-called experts who are website developers and no one seemed to have any valuable input without completely uninstalling, which would have been a significant challenge with a threat of losing all of my posts to date AND all of my customizations which was going to be beyond my expertise to re-establish without much (paid) help.

I called GoDaddy as a last resort and WOW. I cannot say enough for the customer service I received and the true expertise in how to approach the situation. Within 1/2 hour we devised a plan and within 2 hours, the malicious code was removed (it was hidden, which was the problem).

I have heard pros and cons about GoDaddy and all I can say from my recent experience is that they are trustworthy and efficient and truly generous with their time (on issues that are not typically within their sphere of service).

All hosting companies run into glitches; it is the nature of the beast. What is important is do they make it right and, often, how quickly. I cannot speak to these types of issues specific to them. My site has always run fine under their hosting.

I whole-heartedly recommend GoDaddy to anyone who is starting a new website/blogsite. I will remain a loyal customer!

Let’s hope this post also goes through in the feed distribution without a glitch!

Enjoy the Spring weekend, Everyone!