Talk about trusting in the Lord..
This girl, only 28yrs old, is doing something so unheard of in our culture today. She's consecrating herself as a virgin. So, if in a few years, or even a few months she meets a man... she will say, "Sorry, but I'm taken." She's awesome. Go her.
I've been meditating & hearing in the readings at Mass lately on how we need to "leave everything & trust in our Lord." Its a hard concept for me, as I'm sure it is for many of us, but her's is a story of hope & inspiration.
Here's the article: http://www.catholicherald.com/detail/10879.html
Peace in Christ.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
demand your dignity
wwww.demandyourdignity.com
Here comes that breeze ladies. Our Dignity is NOT to be compromised! SO DEMAND IT! Compromise brings miseerry.
Here comes that breeze ladies. Our Dignity is NOT to be compromised! SO DEMAND IT! Compromise brings miseerry.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
"Art of Being a Woman" retreat reflections
These are reflections (not my writing), from a 1day-retreat I went on in May. It was on the "Art of Being a Woman." Great reflections for single, married, consecrated...these people have great insight & are really allowing the Holy Spirit to work!
Spiritual Component: Fr. John Hopkins:
As daughters of God, we are gifted with tremendous dignity. We do not need to earn this dignity – we possess it naturally. Our time as single women is a prime opportunity for each of us to forge our character and identity.
Practical Component:>January Donovan:
We won’t automatically learn to be good women, wives and mothers simply by saying "I do"; rather, we begin to learn this art gradually and at every moment of our single life. In fact, there is no more valuable time during which to form ourselves to live our vocation, whatever it may be, than the short and special time of “singleness."
As Catholic women, we have an obligation to raise the bar for the men in our lives through our manner of being. We invite them to fully live their manhood by challenging them to be the man that God has called them be in every aspect of their lives. This is most effectively achieved by the way we gracefully embrace and give them the gift of our femininity.
"A Gentleman's Take on the Art of Being a Woman." is next. (Through Regnum Christi, held at the Bethesda Retreat Center, MD).
Spiritual Component: Fr. John Hopkins:
As daughters of God, we are gifted with tremendous dignity. We do not need to earn this dignity – we possess it naturally. Our time as single women is a prime opportunity for each of us to forge our character and identity.
Practical Component:>January Donovan:
We won’t automatically learn to be good women, wives and mothers simply by saying "I do"; rather, we begin to learn this art gradually and at every moment of our single life. In fact, there is no more valuable time during which to form ourselves to live our vocation, whatever it may be, than the short and special time of “singleness."
As Catholic women, we have an obligation to raise the bar for the men in our lives through our manner of being. We invite them to fully live their manhood by challenging them to be the man that God has called them be in every aspect of their lives. This is most effectively achieved by the way we gracefully embrace and give them the gift of our femininity.
"A Gentleman's Take on the Art of Being a Woman." is next. (Through Regnum Christi, held at the Bethesda Retreat Center, MD).
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tips on where & how to find YOUR future spouse..
From a few books,a retreat & conversations lately:
1) If you want a good Catholic wife/husband - pray for them 10minutes a day. Especially things you want them to have - ie, not to create this imaginary wonderful person in your mind, but to recognize things about yourself that you need & things from people you have dated that you like/don't.
* Therefore - Know YOurself. Look at yourself, your strengths, weaknesses & pray for yourself. Motivate yourself in that, if you are asking God to provide you with a good person with certain things...maybe you need to work on some things as well.
2) If you are ready to find your spouse - know that God will not leave you hanging. Trust in Him. For God did not let Adam loose in the Garden, but he created Eve for Adam, at the right time, when he saw that it was good. (This can be the hardest for all of us -waiting).
3) Where to find 'em? Attend Church things such as Young Adult functions, Mass, Lectures, Seminars, etc. What are things you like - join groups like Sports/running/soccer clubs, book clubs, go to places you like - parks, coffee shops, libraries, museums...etc!
1) If you want a good Catholic wife/husband - pray for them 10minutes a day. Especially things you want them to have - ie, not to create this imaginary wonderful person in your mind, but to recognize things about yourself that you need & things from people you have dated that you like/don't.
* Therefore - Know YOurself. Look at yourself, your strengths, weaknesses & pray for yourself. Motivate yourself in that, if you are asking God to provide you with a good person with certain things...maybe you need to work on some things as well.
2) If you are ready to find your spouse - know that God will not leave you hanging. Trust in Him. For God did not let Adam loose in the Garden, but he created Eve for Adam, at the right time, when he saw that it was good. (This can be the hardest for all of us -waiting).
3) Where to find 'em? Attend Church things such as Young Adult functions, Mass, Lectures, Seminars, etc. What are things you like - join groups like Sports/running/soccer clubs, book clubs, go to places you like - parks, coffee shops, libraries, museums...etc!
Don't be like every other girl...Wear those converses.
Seventeen article: It's grrreatt!
So when it comes to Saturday night, my biggest suggestion is this: to stay away from the super skimpy clothing that a lot of girls tend to wear. When we go out barely covered up, we encourage boys to not even look us in the eyes. Sometimes guys at my school are rude and refer to scantily-clad girls in derogatory ways, like "boy bait." I don't want that to happen to you. Dress chic, ladies, not cheap!
Just be yourself, and let all that creative, pent-up energy inside of you cut lose. Separate yourselves from the skimpy night dwellers. Be brave — haha, I don't know, wear feathers in your hair or something! Oh! and rock a sassy pair of shades. If you're bored with the usual party combo (dark jeans/silk top/black stilettos) then be different! Saturday nights out on the town are a great chance to meet people ... so make their jaws drop, but on your own terms.
So when it comes to Saturday night, my biggest suggestion is this: to stay away from the super skimpy clothing that a lot of girls tend to wear. When we go out barely covered up, we encourage boys to not even look us in the eyes. Sometimes guys at my school are rude and refer to scantily-clad girls in derogatory ways, like "boy bait." I don't want that to happen to you. Dress chic, ladies, not cheap!
Just be yourself, and let all that creative, pent-up energy inside of you cut lose. Separate yourselves from the skimpy night dwellers. Be brave — haha, I don't know, wear feathers in your hair or something! Oh! and rock a sassy pair of shades. If you're bored with the usual party combo (dark jeans/silk top/black stilettos) then be different! Saturday nights out on the town are a great chance to meet people ... so make their jaws drop, but on your own terms.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
playing the guys are jerks card - but were NOT always innocent ladies
So there's this book, "HE's just not that into you" (which is now also a major motion picture too). It talks about the excuses guys make to not be in relationships, not treat girls with adequate respect (or respect at all), and really shows how they get out of any commitments and their incredibly selfish side...But you know what that partially stems from: GIRLS LETTING GUYS GET AWAY WITH IT.
Seriously girls. I am at fault here too. Not respecting and loving yourself will allow you to become desperate for attention, desperate for affection, and you will lower your standards for practically anything. Been there, done it, bought the t-shirt and got the sunburn and all that. And you know what else? WE ARE NOT ALWAYS THE VICTIM - why do we always play that card? (Noted by a friend who's undergoing a sort of "dating fast") While guys use us for physical attachment or whathave you, don't we use them for emotional attachment as well?
As I am writing this and talking to more people about it, its a humbling experience, but its def something I need to examine further. And think: WHAT DO I WANT? And not settle for anything less. B/c seriously, the minute you start lowering your standards, the minute you will start to settle for almost anything.
Seriously girls. I am at fault here too. Not respecting and loving yourself will allow you to become desperate for attention, desperate for affection, and you will lower your standards for practically anything. Been there, done it, bought the t-shirt and got the sunburn and all that. And you know what else? WE ARE NOT ALWAYS THE VICTIM - why do we always play that card? (Noted by a friend who's undergoing a sort of "dating fast") While guys use us for physical attachment or whathave you, don't we use them for emotional attachment as well?
As I am writing this and talking to more people about it, its a humbling experience, but its def something I need to examine further. And think: WHAT DO I WANT? And not settle for anything less. B/c seriously, the minute you start lowering your standards, the minute you will start to settle for almost anything.
Monday, January 5, 2009
she's gettin' married in a fever
So there's a rare, yet special, occurrence in my schedule this week. A wedding in Minnesssoota. The high forecast for the 20's and don't forget your hats folks, for there is at least a 20% chance of snow for 3 out of the 5 days we are there! For someone who likes the snow like myself...when the temperature is in the negatives, shut man, that's too cold.
Marriage..that's another thing. Spending the rest of your life with someone - FOREVER - it will always be that person you will lean on, ask for advice, kiss goodnight & good morning. To the secular world this is an extremely frightening thought. But to Catholics, it is a beautiful sacrament and a union between man, women & GOD. So while my friends are very young, they've been dating for over 3years now, and must just trust. That's really the scariest part of all relationships: letting go of your own will and just trusting God that this is the right person for you. (And trusting him to let you know when its not.) For most of us, Catholic or not, just as humans..if we're not ready to let go of that string before we tie the knot; that's why there's prayer.
Marriage..that's another thing. Spending the rest of your life with someone - FOREVER - it will always be that person you will lean on, ask for advice, kiss goodnight & good morning. To the secular world this is an extremely frightening thought. But to Catholics, it is a beautiful sacrament and a union between man, women & GOD. So while my friends are very young, they've been dating for over 3years now, and must just trust. That's really the scariest part of all relationships: letting go of your own will and just trusting God that this is the right person for you. (And trusting him to let you know when its not.) For most of us, Catholic or not, just as humans..if we're not ready to let go of that string before we tie the knot; that's why there's prayer.
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