Category: Focus

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Humor, Joy, Look, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Avoidance versus Looking

Here and now is the present moment, the only life we have, RIGHT NOW. When we don’t like what we see most of us tend to avoid looking. Like a child on a stormy night who takes little peaks from under the covers, we only glance occasionally at what is going on.

This used to be me. I am trying to pray for the strength and courage that I need to face my life. The quote below got my attention.

When we are willing to be intimate with what actually is here now, to look directly at all of our experience, we might recognize that this is our life, however different from our thoughts and ideas about it.

ROSHI PAT ENKYO O’HARA ( Molly has no idea who this is)

“Look directly at all of our experience,” and by doing that the writer showed a discovery. Our thoughts and ideas about what our life is or is about to become usually differs from reality. Isn’t that strange? We think we are so advanced and educated and civilized. Then suddenly we discover that our thinking is faulty, wrong, ideas all askew.

Sometimes the reality is better, sometimes worse. I believe the thrust here is the difference.

As I write this Bob is baking my favorite birthday cake. I know he is taking it out of the oven because the timer just rang. The sound I am hearing is him poking holes in the white cake so the cream of coconut that he pours over the batter will soak into the cake. It is so rich and sweet that each year I only allow myself a smaller and smaller piece or my glucose levels go wild. But the taste of this cake is delicious. Yes, like it or not I am a Type 2 diabetic. Nothing will change that. I can lengthen my life somewhat by monitoring what I eat. I can shorten it by years if I choose to ignore the dietary guidelines and eat whatever I want.

When I was first diagnosed I was terrified. I began measuring portions for almost every single meal. I learned to count calories and carbs for the first time in my life. Eventually I calmed down and began to find the meals and combinations that are ‘safe’ for me, appropriate portions without being so very frightened about it. (Pizza and beer is not a good low carb combination!)

This year I turn 76. I take lots of medication and even insulin injections for the diabetes. So far, I do not need to test and inject at every meal. There does not SEEM to be an insulin pump in my future. Looking at my overall health gives a much better picture of reality than a single day or evening.

“Be intimate with what is actually here now.” Are you? Rick Hansen, wrote in his book Just One Thing, that there is power is saying to ourselves, “I am okay right now. I am okay right now.” Some of us tend to awfulize about what MIGHT happen. “Awfulize refers to an irrational and dramatic thought pattern, characterized by the tendency to overestimate the potential seriousness or negative consequences of events, situations, or perceived threats.” https://psychologydictionary.org/awfulizing/

We can also catastrophize. “Catastrophizing is a cognitive distortion that prompts people to jump to the worst possible conclusion, usually with very limited information or objective reason to despair. When a situation is upsetting, but not necessarily catastrophic, they still feel like they are in the midst of a crisis.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/catastrophizing Are you prone to jump to despair?

Is life a catastrophy? Is it truly awful?

But what about right now? This very minute. Are you okay right now? To me one of the most important things that Rick Hanson, phd, wrote in his book Just One Thing is the idea he gained through his psychology practice of directing patients to the present moment and asking them, to take a “close look at this moment, right now. Probably, you are basically all right: no one is attacking you, you are not drowning, no bombs are falling, there is no crisis. It’s not perfect, but you’re okay.” He goes on to suggest, “In daily life, it’s possible to access this fundamental sense of all-rightness even while getting things done..”

This video is from years ago, same author, same message.

He goes on to write, “The fear that bad things will happen if you let yourself feel okay is unfounded; let this sink in. You do not need to fear feeling all right!”

If you have not gotten this book yet, please do. Purchase it for yourself or check your local library. He also gives advice for when you are really NOT all right.

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Valor

Amy Carmichael wrote: “Can you find a promise that if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, life is going to be fairly easy? I do not think we shall find even one. But we shall find ever so many promises assuring us that however things are, we may count on strength to make us brave, and peace to keep our hearts at rest.
“Because this is so, our Lord and Captain expects us to be “sons of valor,” as the word translated “valiant” in the Old Testament means. And He is saying to each of us what King David said long ago to his friends: “Now let your hands be strengthened and be ye valiant, be ye sons (and daughters) of valor.”

So many misguided Christians thinking life with Jesus will be easy. Not one single verse to support that. One Pastor used to say “There are no rainbows and unicorns in the Kingdom walk.” We do not go skipping like faux-princes and faux-princesses through life.

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13 NRSVUE

The verse does not say God will make straight paths; we are told to make them. LIFE IS HARD. We are told to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees. And (especially when we cannot do it ourselves), we are told to ALWAYS cry out to the Lord of heaven and earth for help.

God gives strength to make us brave, and peace to keep our hearts at rest. Are you willing to receive that? Will you cry out to God for help?

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender

Never Compare

I found this story inspiring and thought provoking.

In case you are unaware a Dervish is defined as a Turkish or Persian monk, especially one who professes extreme poverty and leads an austere life, some of which perform whirling dances and vigorous chanting as acts of ecstatic devotion.

Nothing is as it seems. We so often think we have things all figured out, just like this little parrot.

“Never equate one action with another. Even though they may appear the same on the surface, truly nothing is as it seems.” Such profound wisdom in that statement!

Often I have heard people say something along the lines of, “Well my pain is not like the leukemia pain Chuck suffers. I have nothing to complain about.” Pain appears the same on the surface, but your pain is your own. Your suffering is yours, not Chuck’s. The bald parrot and the bald dervish looked similar, but had nothing in common as far as the cause of their baldness.

Do not underestimate what you go through. Do not compare your experience to others. We are all broken. Some just hide it better than others!

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Yield

New Book Set Aside

Have you ever purchased a new book eagerly and then set it aside, only to discover it much, much later and be delighted? I bought Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty, Readings from Old Monk’s Journal by May Lou Kownacki, OSB compiled by Ann McCarthy, OSB and Linda Romey, OSB.

I bought the book through the ministry of Joan Chittister, OSB. Here is a description of the book from Catholic Shop Canada: “Mary Lou Kownacki was a Benedictine nun, poet, and renowned peace activist who co-founded Pax Christi. For years she served as Joan Chittister’s writing partner in the Erie, PA, religious community they lived in. But it was in her beloved blog, “Old Monk’s Journal,” that she delighted readers, sharing her most intimate insights and writings. There, for over 12 years until shortly before her death in 2023, Mary Lou gave readers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the inside. In hundreds of personal blog posts she chronicled current events, reflections on her decades as a nun, stories of friends, poetry recommendations and profound insights on life’s purpose and mortality. Follow along as Mary Lou navigates the personal questions, concerns, and joys of her final chapter as a Benedictine woman. Through her experiences of living simply, seeking God, and advocating tirelessly for peace and justice, these pages offer timeless wisdom on faith, community, activism, and what truly matters. For those seeking insight on a life well-lived, these pages offer Mary Lou Kownacki’s lasting spiritual legacy.”

When I recently took the book off my shelf I eventually came across this entry., pages 155-157. She had decided to go back and read through her journals from 1978 to present. I myself have done that on occasion though I have never gotten all the way through mine. She wanted to know if there was anything in there worth publishing or sending to the convent archives.

She wrote, “I’m not sure if journal keeping isn’t actually the ultimate ego trip. Like who really cares what you think about … well, just about anything, Mary Lou?” And then she went to the words of Victor Frankl who wrote that “there are two ways a person can go through life. One way is to approach our calendar with fear and sadness as each day we tear off another sheet, noting that it grows thinner with each passing day. Another is to tear off the daily sheet, jot down a few personal notes on the back, and file it with the previous years.”

He writes of journal keepers:

“What does it matter if they notice they are growing old? What reason do they have to say that they envy a young person – for possibilities, for the future that awaits them. “No thank you,” they will say. “Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of suffering suffered. These are the things of which I am most proud.”

Mary Lou says to come to Frankl’s realization is definitely to find a pearl of great price.

Largest Pearl ever Found

The quote about tearing off a calendar page made me think of Bob and me. We both have enjoyed a page-a-day calendar this year. We sometimes make cards from our favorite pages. I never thought about writing my thoughts on a page and putting them in a drawer. Might need to try that out!

Are you keeping a journal? The last couple of years most, but not all, of my journaling has been through this blog. But I also have a couple of long shelves of hand written journals. Have you ever reviewed your journals for kernels of wisdom?

Do you have a page-a-day calendar? Do you enjoy the pithy sayings or cartoons? Do you ever write your comments about the page on the back and store it in a drawer?

Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty .. we too can learn to live this way. Adopt this outlook on life for the month of November. See what a difference it can make in your heart and mind!

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Focus, Music, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

THINK ON CHRIST

How would it be if we applied the song below to our love for Christ? Paul wrote about it in Colossians.

2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. Colossians 3:2-10

Can you set your mind on things above for more than a few minutes? How about an hour? Think you could handle an hour? Part of my spiritual discipline is to adopt the mindset of Brother Lawrence. He conversed with God all day long. It is not an easy task, but it can be done, even in our strange too-busy society. This song sparkled when I thought of this concept in terms of this love song! The lyrics follow the YouTube song.

The very thought of you
And I forget to do
The little ordinary things
That everyone ought to do

I’m living in a kind of daydream
I’m happy as a King
And foolish though it may seem
To me, that’s everything

The mere idea of you
The longing here for you
You never know how slow the moments go
‘Til I’m near to you

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It’s just the thought of you
The very thought of you
My love

The mere idea of you
The longing here for you
You never know how slow the moments go
‘Til I’m near to you

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It’s just the thought of you
The very thought of you
My love

Written by: Ray Noble, Maxime Le Forestier

When I set my mind on Christ, instead of forgetting the things I ought to do there seems to be more time made available for the ordinary things! Somehow the chronos time of the clock is overridden by the kairos impact of the moment.

In Romans we are told to offer to God our very bodies as living sacrifice. Your brain indeed is part of your body. Would you offer God your thought processes, ask God to occupy you body, MIND and spirit? The Holy One would be delighted to do so.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NRSVUE

Posted on in Aging, Challenge, Faith, Family, Focus, Illness and Health, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Surrender, Thanks, Traveling, Trust

They Moved Back to Florida

My neighbors have become dear friends over the last four years. They are snowbirds, which means they make me VERY uncomfortable. They are here for 5 months and then depart for 7 months or so. When they are here we are often at each other’s door. Sharing food, or borrowing something. Walking Lucky together in the afternoon. Having a meal at a favorite Mexican restaurant. Sharing snacks and an evening of Euchre. And then poof! they are gone.

We get to use their garage while they are gone. During their long time away we usually go into their home once a week or so to turn lights off and on, open blinds, flush toilets, etc. Their departure is hard on all of us, including their adult son and his young family who live here in Cincinnati. Two of her brothers live in Lima, Ohio and Indianapolis so they too miss this couple when they fly south. Yes, I experienced angst as the date drew closer.

His health has been declining rapidly and this year will be especially hard getting him through the airports and back home to Florida. When I read the selection for Lectio 365 the morning of their departure I immediately sent it along to her. She felt it was from God through me and read it before she climbed out of bed. So glad I could send her some comfort and strength.

“I choose to rejoice in the God who holds my hand today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 73…

You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:23b–26 (NLT)

She determined to hold the hand of God throughout the day as they traveled. Travel is VERY hard work and the older I get the more I declare that. Imagine traveling with a loved one in stage 4 Parkinson’s disease! Nightmare.

Lectio went on to pray:
“I join David now, bringing my whole body before the Lord in prayer.
I bring attention to my eyes.
What attracts my gaze? Is anything distracting me?
Jesus, I fix my eyes on you. Help me keep my focus on you throughout this day.
I look down at my right hand.
Is anything making me nervous today? Or causing my hand to tremble?
Make me unshakably confident that, as I hold onto you, I am held.
I place a hand on my heart.
Is my heart glad today? Or is it heavy with sorrow?
Holy Spirit, fill me with supernatural gladness as I invite your presence.”
https://lectio365.24-7prayer.com/share/devotionals/2026-10-19/morning?locale=en

I miss our friends and neighbors. They say friends are the family you choose. We have chosen this couple. I am glad they made it back to Florida safely. I will miss them as they continue to journey with Christ through the awful disease of Parkinson’s. They remain in my prayers.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Focus, Listen, Look, Prayer, Thanks

President Bush Paintings

When we traveled recently we made it a point to stop in Columbus, Ohio at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum for their newest exhibit “Portraits of Courage.” These paintings by former President George W. Bush were on tour in Columbus, Ohio. He features men and women who served and were wounded in combat.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 31 “and includes 66 paintings and a four-panel mural honoring 98 post 9-11 veterans. Each portrait is accompanied by an essay, written by Bush, which visitors can find in his Portraits of Courage book.” Regardless of your politics this gives a tribute to those who serve our country in the armed forces and suffer injuries in the process. I pray that those who govern the country will ALWAYS give Funds to support those who have served and especially those who were wounded during their service. My generation was not good at supporting those who served in teh Vietnam war. Perhaps we can amends on that by supporting those who need us in their fight for survival and recovery from the wounds of war?

The following are a few of the paintings. My photos did not turn out very good due to the lighting in the exhibit.

If the exhibit tours your area make an effort to go see it. It was quite inspiring and moving.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Music, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Worship

Newsboys

I was playing music in my car from my favorite songs on a data stick. The next day I kept hearing a melody. Then a few words. Finally, I realized I was hearing the bridge from a song by a group called the Newsboys. The song is entitled We Believe.

The following are the words from the bridge:

So, let our faith be more than anthems 
Greater than the songs we sing 
And in our weakness and temptations 
We believe 
We believe

Anthem: 1. A hymn of praise or loyalty. 2. A choral composition having a sacred or moralizing text in English.

"Our faith greater than the songs we sing", so necessary if we are to push through our difficulties and struggles. Songs help, but there are times when there are no songs. There are times I am hard pressed to even remember a melody! 

Here are the lyrics of the song followed by a music video.
[Verse 1]
In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe

[Verse 2]
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

[Chorus]
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life
We believe in the Crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the Resurrection
And He's comin' back again
We believe

[Verse 3] (I called it the bridge)
So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe
Here is a video of the song.

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NRSVUE

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Humor, Look, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

See the Holiness

I have been reading a book my 93 year old friend, Myrtle, loaned to me. It has tales about growing up in Corbin, Kentucky. Some of the things the author relates, I too, can remember from my childhood. These stories are contained within a cookbook that is no longer in print. When I read the quote below it made me think of this book.

Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted – a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER

“See holiness in the things you take for granted.” And oh my, how Americans take things for granted!

A paved road. Automatic washing machine in contrast to that scrub board or the later wringer washer, (Yes, we had a scrub board and a wringer washer. I can still smell those suds!). Rabbi Kushner says we should concentrate on finding what is good in every situation. One recent lecturer said, “Focus on what goes RIGHT instead of what goes wrong.”

“Gratitude can sneak up on me and drive me to my knees with awe, mystery and love.” -Thayer

Can you spend ten minutes in wonder? Are you willing to humble yourself and find things that can “drive you to your knees with awe, mystery and love”?

That brilliant blue sky beyond the curling oak leaves. This computer that helps me get the thoughts of my heart into words and out to all of you. Electric tumble dryer making short work of those wet clothes. The eye drops that help damp down the itching in these autumn eyes. The huge collection of quotes, photos, drawings that I can tap for this blog. The Tylenol I forgot to take earlier – ‘cuse me while I go get some.

That only took me a few moments. The mail truck just zoomed past the window .. delivery to each of us from all over. It has been said that if we look for things to be grateful for we will find more and more things to be grateful for. I hope this will help you to LOOK for the things that go right today and find ‘holiness in the things you take for granted.’

Posted on in Aging, Book quotes, Faith, Focus, Humor, Joy, Marriage and Memories, Music, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust, Yield

Morning of Our 56th

Awoke singing this in my heart:

I could have danced all night
I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more

I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I've never done before

I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night

Yes, after 56 years I am more than willing to dance with Robert Milan. We have FUN together. Sometimes he carries his teasing and jokes too far for my emotion at a given moment, but overall, we have fun.

We create humor and jokes between ourselves. We are friends, yes, even best friends. There are times he gets on my last nerve and I get on his, but we each get over that and move on.

On this date in Edges of His Ways Amy wrote:

It is the little things of life, the minute, unimportant-looking things, that are most likely to shatter our peace, because they are so small that we are very likely to fight them ourselves instead of looking up at once to our Strong God, our Barrier between us and them. “Close the gate, or bar up the way, as the cloudy pillar formed a barricade between the Egyptians and Israel” is Kay’s note.

The deaths of Ginny and Chuck Lynch have taught us how short life is, how unexpectedly death can come and now is the time to love and laugh, to cherish and sing.

When I saw Bob Dutina for the first time, at a distance, it really was love at first sight. I have never understood exactly how our lives came to be together; however, I am grateful and blessed to have been given the gift of this incredible marriage.. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 90:12. So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.