It's been awhile but I still want to try and feign some degree of faithfulness to this blog. I must say, I watched the movie Julie&Julia and gained an inordinate amount of insight on the power of sticking things out for the sake of keeping one's spirit alive in an otherwise disappointing situation.
Yes, I said disappointing! I have a bad case of the September blahs! Does anyone else experience this phenomenon? The only remedy I can figure is higher doses of Taylor Swift and cello music to account for the decrease in vitamin D.
I have many little theories floating around my head with regards to my feelings about September..maybe someday I will commit them to paper. But for now I wanted to commit something to paper.
Be blessed. If you are down, listen to some cello...I swear it helps!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Muse of Fashion: Do not worry me
A Letter I Received
"Am sending you this poem I wrote, with the possibility that it may serve as a stimulus to one of your conversations, especially regarding possibly dignity, or the human worth within, rather than without.
Thanking you if this may be of service." -LL
Muse of fashion: Do not worry me.
Your counsel brings me darkness and despair.
I would your wares were left behind me now
Safe in storage under lock and key.
I have no need for jewels within the hair
Or necklaces of pearl and pins of gold.
You offer me no fortune held in hand,
When in the other grief is what you bear.
You fooled me once when I was young and bold
And found in image scaffoldings of lace .
And built my dreams on owning rich brocades
Skirts of velvet, bodices of silk.
But in my life there was not found a trace,
Of smile, of sparkling eye, or lilt of voice;
But since I've learned to dress in cottons plain,
There is no shadow near the eye or face.
And I have found that simple can be choice,
Since I have been released from fashion's reign.
- L.L. , September 14th, 2000. (copyright)
"Am sending you this poem I wrote, with the possibility that it may serve as a stimulus to one of your conversations, especially regarding possibly dignity, or the human worth within, rather than without.
Thanking you if this may be of service." -LL
Muse of fashion: Do not worry me.
Your counsel brings me darkness and despair.
I would your wares were left behind me now
Safe in storage under lock and key.
I have no need for jewels within the hair
Or necklaces of pearl and pins of gold.
You offer me no fortune held in hand,
When in the other grief is what you bear.
You fooled me once when I was young and bold
And found in image scaffoldings of lace .
And built my dreams on owning rich brocades
Skirts of velvet, bodices of silk.
But in my life there was not found a trace,
Of smile, of sparkling eye, or lilt of voice;
But since I've learned to dress in cottons plain,
There is no shadow near the eye or face.
And I have found that simple can be choice,
Since I have been released from fashion's reign.
- L.L. , September 14th, 2000. (copyright)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Fashionably debate
Hmmm. I am a bit at a loss.
"There is a very fine line between the lofty love of the world and its art forms, and the quickening desire for a detached way of life. I would leave the house in a pair of clicking heels and a high-collared jacket to go to Mass and while there I would feel a pull to leave everything behind. My heart is inclined almost equally towards the adornment of the body and the adornment of the heart. Maybe these thoughts are completely common, but to me it seems that my heart will always be a battleground where genuine sanctity tries to find solace amid a restless recognition of gifts I am tempted to call my own".
I found these words I had written a couple of years ago and today they are painfully relevant. Life has a funny way of taking just enough turns to make you blush.
Is the celebration of modesty, immodest? Does purity of intention hold enough ground to waive this paradox for the sake of reclaiming fashion, and as a result, true femininity? I would love your feedback...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
8 Days and counting!
Just a few days ago, I moved into a home with three other twenty-something women. Come September, besides myself, the house will empty only to become a Catholic women’s household (complete with prayer support and fellowship). For the summer, however, the demographics of the household though not random (nothing is random) are diverse… and not Catholic.
When I was first asked what I did for living, I felt the conversation ramping up to the “what do you do” question. I am not pleased with how I responded, but since it was the first day meeting all of them, I wanted to keep the conversation going instead of uttering a ‘show-stopper’. Maybe I am building it up to be more than it is, but hauling out the words “ I work for an NGO that is working towards making abortion illegal” doesn’t seem to go over well. Not only this. But I am learning something important in my old age, something requiring poise and discipline and lots of love – something called tact. Call me a sell-out.
As I sit here and reflect on how I could have gone about things differently, my old foe (legalism) is piping up but it is being soothed with the knowledge that if I am faithful to my convictions, they will come to know me and to know it all in a natural, contextual way instead of having me spew out the coarse version in the first few minutes. So I am resting a bit easier. Discernment must be pinnacle if we are to be pro-life. So is sincerity.
Next week, I am making my way to the National March for Life in Ottawa where I will be helping out with the logistics to ensure that the whole event runs smoothly. Like any other event where the attendance climbs towards 10, 000 people, it is difficult to maintain an ‘atmosphere’ throughout the March. Be that as it may, we are trying and I think it to be important that we do so.
This year is a particularly somber year as it marks 40 years of abortion on demand in our country. This represents a massive decline in our population due to the fact that many of our contemporaries never did get to see the light of day (on earth). The young people particularly, are a generation of survivors. For this reason, I think that the mood of the March should reflect this fact, though it seems irresistible that the high schoolers yell confrontational and sometimes condemnatory “pro-life” cheers. I urge all of you who may be reading this to reflect sincerely on the reason for your attendance. The sheer volume of people who will clog downtown Ottawa’s streets on May 14th will speak for itself. In flinging out cheers at passersby, we are alienating if not infuriating those who do not share our convictions and this is not the way to provoke conversion let alone reflection.
Today, I urge you to begin preparing for May 14th by praying for those who will attend the March. Let's make this a pivotal moment in Canadian history. See you in 8 days!
When I was first asked what I did for living, I felt the conversation ramping up to the “what do you do” question. I am not pleased with how I responded, but since it was the first day meeting all of them, I wanted to keep the conversation going instead of uttering a ‘show-stopper’. Maybe I am building it up to be more than it is, but hauling out the words “ I work for an NGO that is working towards making abortion illegal” doesn’t seem to go over well. Not only this. But I am learning something important in my old age, something requiring poise and discipline and lots of love – something called tact. Call me a sell-out.
As I sit here and reflect on how I could have gone about things differently, my old foe (legalism) is piping up but it is being soothed with the knowledge that if I am faithful to my convictions, they will come to know me and to know it all in a natural, contextual way instead of having me spew out the coarse version in the first few minutes. So I am resting a bit easier. Discernment must be pinnacle if we are to be pro-life. So is sincerity.
Next week, I am making my way to the National March for Life in Ottawa where I will be helping out with the logistics to ensure that the whole event runs smoothly. Like any other event where the attendance climbs towards 10, 000 people, it is difficult to maintain an ‘atmosphere’ throughout the March. Be that as it may, we are trying and I think it to be important that we do so.
This year is a particularly somber year as it marks 40 years of abortion on demand in our country. This represents a massive decline in our population due to the fact that many of our contemporaries never did get to see the light of day (on earth). The young people particularly, are a generation of survivors. For this reason, I think that the mood of the March should reflect this fact, though it seems irresistible that the high schoolers yell confrontational and sometimes condemnatory “pro-life” cheers. I urge all of you who may be reading this to reflect sincerely on the reason for your attendance. The sheer volume of people who will clog downtown Ottawa’s streets on May 14th will speak for itself. In flinging out cheers at passersby, we are alienating if not infuriating those who do not share our convictions and this is not the way to provoke conversion let alone reflection.
Today, I urge you to begin preparing for May 14th by praying for those who will attend the March. Let's make this a pivotal moment in Canadian history. See you in 8 days!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
National March for Life: T-9 days
In just nine days, thousands of Canadians will make their way en masse to Parliment Hill in the nation's capital for the 13th annual National March for Life.
The theme of this year's March, "Exodus: A Future Without Abortion" is fitting in that like the Isrealites making their way through the desert on a 40-year trek, we Canadians, too have been making our way through the spiritual desert. Many Canadians do not know that 40 years ago, Trudeau effectively enabled abortion on demand in all 9 months of pregnancy by striking down all the existing abortion-regulating laws.
Because of this sweeping gesture, one out of every three pregnancies ends in abortion.
(see National March for Life promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkyLgXe1AyM).
Keep checking back as the 13th annual March for Life draws near.
Also, be sure to check out LifeSiteNews.com for up-to-date reporting and coverage of the March.
Most importantly: continue to pray for conviction. Conviction not only for yourselves, but for all of those whose jobs demands them to face the incoming tides of the culture of death on a daily basis: in particular our Canadian bishops (at the time of this writing 11 Bishops have confirmed their attendance at the March for Life), our MPs and MPPs, and those in education and medicine. It is important to face darkness with great confidence while armed with humility and the armor that only faithful prayer can provide.
I look forward to seeing you all at the March for Life on May 14th!
The theme of this year's March, "Exodus: A Future Without Abortion" is fitting in that like the Isrealites making their way through the desert on a 40-year trek, we Canadians, too have been making our way through the spiritual desert. Many Canadians do not know that 40 years ago, Trudeau effectively enabled abortion on demand in all 9 months of pregnancy by striking down all the existing abortion-regulating laws.
Because of this sweeping gesture, one out of every three pregnancies ends in abortion.
(see National March for Life promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkyLgXe1AyM).
Keep checking back as the 13th annual March for Life draws near.
Also, be sure to check out LifeSiteNews.com for up-to-date reporting and coverage of the March.
Most importantly: continue to pray for conviction. Conviction not only for yourselves, but for all of those whose jobs demands them to face the incoming tides of the culture of death on a daily basis: in particular our Canadian bishops (at the time of this writing 11 Bishops have confirmed their attendance at the March for Life), our MPs and MPPs, and those in education and medicine. It is important to face darkness with great confidence while armed with humility and the armor that only faithful prayer can provide.
I look forward to seeing you all at the March for Life on May 14th!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tulips, Candles, and Portuguese pastries
This doesn't exactly sound like Lent, I know. But set out to be austere, and watch the invitations to feast roll in. Lent, more than being a time for fasting is a time to put priorities in order.
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
It is easier to refuse a cherry-cheese danish than it is to sit down for a chat with someone who is lonely. In retrospect, it is easy to discern God's Will on this one but in the moment, ah! A bit different. I am sounding a bit fluffy now, so let me qualify. We take up fasting to avail ourselves to be put into order by God- to remind us of our weakness. Once we understand this, through mortification of the flesh, our hearts and minds become closer to being synched with that of Christ. True charity lies in being fully present to those around us.
My thoughts on this topic are disjointed but I feel that we must set out physical sacrifices to which we fully intend to be faithful. Then we must watch with great attention as God sanctifies our intentions. "I know that you wanted to do this for me, but in this moment of grace, why not do this?" We become hyperaware of the deviations to OUR plans as those of God find a home in our hearts. It is our hope that the two sets of thoughts become indistinguishable. This is the idea of Lent. A willful sycronization of two hearts.
So bring him comfort. Bring Him coffee. Rend your hearts not your garments.
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
It is easier to refuse a cherry-cheese danish than it is to sit down for a chat with someone who is lonely. In retrospect, it is easy to discern God's Will on this one but in the moment, ah! A bit different. I am sounding a bit fluffy now, so let me qualify. We take up fasting to avail ourselves to be put into order by God- to remind us of our weakness. Once we understand this, through mortification of the flesh, our hearts and minds become closer to being synched with that of Christ. True charity lies in being fully present to those around us.
My thoughts on this topic are disjointed but I feel that we must set out physical sacrifices to which we fully intend to be faithful. Then we must watch with great attention as God sanctifies our intentions. "I know that you wanted to do this for me, but in this moment of grace, why not do this?" We become hyperaware of the deviations to OUR plans as those of God find a home in our hearts. It is our hope that the two sets of thoughts become indistinguishable. This is the idea of Lent. A willful sycronization of two hearts.
So bring him comfort. Bring Him coffee. Rend your hearts not your garments.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tu es Petrus
"Simon Peter said to him 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered, 'Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, 'Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' "
-Today's gospel according to John (John 13: 21-33, 36-38)
-Today's gospel according to John (John 13: 21-33, 36-38)
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