What stops us!!

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The power, beauty and depth of this rock formation is amazing...the multiple layers colored within the rock speak to me of the layers of growth we all experience and undergo.  Some times we need to be willing to reach beyond the known and take the next step...What holds us back?

The following two quotes from "Behold.. I Am Doing Something New" a publication of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious challanged me and sparked my desire for more...

"Our duty as men and women is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist.  We are collaborators in creation." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ
"Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing and they will do even greater things than these" John 14:12

I can say yes to the beauty and power of Nature...Why can I not say yes to activating the fullness of the beauty and power that is within me?  What am I afraid of ? 

Dear Rock (my name for you does not do you justice, forgive me)  I yearn for the fullness that you reflect to me, give me the courage and willingness to actively stimulate and bring forth all that is calling to be birthed within me.. for the good of all creation.  Your very presence shows me the power of active patience, persistence and perseverance!

May each of us open the doors to the fullness of who we are...for the good of all!!

Let us remember...

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our sisters and brothers being affected by rising water levels

and floods.  Sending them our energy of love and care will help them

to know that they are not alone in their fear and sorrow.

The power of prayer and loving thoughts is more than we realize.

Think of those times in your own life when a simple word touched

your heart and lifted your spirits!!

See me with new eyes!!

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Take a minute

 to really see

The fullness

of me!!

The Community of one!

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The vibrant yellow and deep green of this flower caught my attention.. What also drew me to look more closely was the amazing number of petals in gentle layers.  This "one flower" was truly a community of many.

The intricate pattern of the core in the center adds another layer to this magnificent creation!  How is it that something so small can be at the same time filled with so many unique patterns and layers!

And I ask myself...do I see and appreciate the "community of many" within myself?   The layers, patterns and designs that make me ..me!  Thank you dear flower for reflecting back to me my own community of one...
May I appreciate the layers and diversity within myself and others as much as I do yours!

And..with a smile I realize that the community of one in flower is even greater when I remember to include the stems, leaves and roots that made her flowering possible!! How can we doubt that we are a woven web of life...each and all of us together!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Relax...enjoy and stay cool!!

Risking new beginnings...

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I wonder if Butterfly remembers life as a Caterpillar?   Moving slowly and close to the ground as opposed to having the option to land or take flight!! Wow!! Talk about new beginnings!!

So many of the day to day activities that were once so familiar are now new and different...from where I store my food and dishes to the view I have from my kitchen, living room and bedroom!  Taking an elevator from the third floor to get to the bottom floor and go to the car...rather than walking down 7 steps out the door to the parking lot. 
Needless to say, there are adjustments to be made...and a need to continue being open and willing to risk and embrace the newness. 

Thank you Butterfly, I have a new appreciation for your willingness to risk the unknown!!

New Beginnings...

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New beginnings are wonderful and difficult.  With the help of many, for which I am very grateful, I have made the transition from living in Rhode Island to living in Nashua New Hampshire!!   I am blessed with a third floor apartment that I love, and other Sisters of Mercy in the same building.  The view from my living room windows is of gently swaying trees and constantly changing sky. 

My sister and I spent the weekend organizing cupboards in the kitchen and creating rooms of beauty, warmth and space.  Truthfully, my sister is the one with the gift for turning a house into a "home", a truly sacred space. We ventured out onto unknown roads in a spirit of "adventure"...finding success and getting lost..and finding our way home again.

 As the small green leaf comes into fullness and experiences what it means to be alive and to grow...we too, have the same opportunities for newness and growth.  As I watch the new green leaves experience the impact of a strong wind...I can almost hear their awe and their fear...!  Growth pains are real for all beings.   May we support each other as we journey into newness...realizing our strength and discovering new gifts and abilities!   Thank you for the Gift of New Beginnings!!