Day 1!

Today was a great day to begin this little blogging project. I went to Mass twice*, thus two rounds of the readings, prayers, and homilies. I read from Getting Things Done, (David Allen), In Conversation with God (Frances Fernandez), and the first couple of chapters of The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin.) Not sure if I can readily find a theme, but I will say one thing. Having a plan makes a difference. Perhaps a plan isn't even enough. I'd say having a plan with a purpose makes a difference. Here is what I read today that defends this claim:


From The Happiness Project, We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it -Epicurus. In life a search for happiness is bound to happen anyway, you might as well set out on an intentional journey toward it rather than look for it based on whims and passing moments.


From Getting Things Done, People love to win. If you're not totally clear about the purpse of what you're doing, you have no chance of winning -David Allen. I think that one speaks for itself, but in case you need clarification, you aren't the only one who wins from having a plan. The people you intend to be a part of your life also benefit. They want to know what it means to be successful, whether they're you're family members, coworkers, employees, teammates, they all want to know they can win.

From the Mass Reading today: Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. -Galatians 4:4-7. God is intentional. He has a plan. He didn't just arbitrarily send His son because He thought it would be nice. It was nice, but not merely for the sake of niceness. It happened and matters because it won our Divine son-ship and freed us from the slavery of sin. God has a plan and his plan is purposeful.

We are made in God's image, we all search for happiness, and we all like to win, therefore 2011 is a great time to identify our purpose and plan. Here's to more happiness, intention, and freedom in the year ahead!

{"Walk with me" Image

*That's not normal. I went this morning because I thought it would be the only time I could, but then my Mom wanted to go for her Birthday.

Happy New Year!

Another year has passed and with its passing comes new beginnings.

2011 will usher in untold adventures, uncharted relationships, and strengthened hope. I can't wait to see how the year unfolds.


No firm resolutions yet, except that I want to be more intentional about cataloging my experiences in life. Work, book club, blogs, In Conversation with God, homilies, and random encounters give me a great deal to think about each day. I'm going to write with the intention of seeing themes emerge from what I read and experience. We'll see how it goes! I'll keep you posted.




{Library image here and Bird image here}

Wherever could they have gotten this wonderful idea?

Um, hello Anthropolie, have you been reading my blog? Ahem..

(and for the record I did not get my pillow idea from Anthropologie... Better Homes and Gardens, maybe, but not Anthro)

Divine Encounters

On the way into the Rio on Wednesday I ran in to Shred walking down the street with a fresh hair cut. What a tiny itsy bitsy world. Either that, or God knew just what we needed and facilitated our run in. Either way, I loved it! ...and then of course, I was at The Rio and there was a lot to love there to. Man, I love me a frozen margarita! Yum!

"Beauty will save the world"

This week, Dostoevsky's assertion, "beauty will save the world" has been falling into my life like the leaves in my yard, gently but constantly.
Since Sunday I have reveled in the completion of a sewing project, attended the Sufjan Stevens concert, and the Tenn St. art walk, salsa danced, explored Denver, and read JPII's letter to artists. These encounters with creativity have left me feeling alive and joyful.

Dostoevsky's claim about the monumental role of beauty is both invigorating and overwhelming. For if beauty is to save the world it is our duty as artists to further its cause.

But, as some wise men* once said"this world in which we live needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart and is that precious fruit which resists the erosion of time, which unites generations and enables them to be one in admiration."


I suppose if those charged with creativity are to make this world more beautiful than we must not fall into despair. At least we have joy in our hearts and are in solidarity with one another and with God in our participation in creation.






*The Fathers of the Pastoral Constitution of Guadium et Spes

Book Club Gems

one by one we showed up for book club at Starbucks tonight. each of us coming from our respective jobs, our respective relationships, our respective experiences to discuss a book which I, admittedly, did not read.

the conversation started as usual. grumblings from the day, news from the week, the nuances which color every gathering of this sort; how was work? what is so-and-so doing tonight? oh! did you get a haircut? i was thinking of you when...

the book discussion also started on par with the other twenty-odd times we've met. a thumbs up or down for the writing style, the author, the cover, and all those things that probably depend more on one's mood than the actual book.

then things got more interesting. this week the person who selected the book also brought discussion questions. after quoting a passage about any man being able to sprinkle rose pedals on the bed, but a real man being able to hold your hair while you're getting sick, she popped the question: name something romantic which you wouldn't normally identify as such?

hm. interesting. isn't THAT the question? what is something you don't necessarily receive as love which actually is love? ladies and gentlemen... well, just ladies in this case... things just got interesting!! we left our shallow chatter for a brief moment and dipped our toes into the depths of the human experience.

"no matter how late he stayed up playing video games my husband getting up (without a single complaint) at 5 a.m.to give our baby her bottle." , "when his choice is my favorite restaurant." about her father, "no matter who else was in the room or what was going on he would come up to me and ask how was your day, mija?" "he took the time to map out a whole trip for me just so I could avoid renting a car" What do these gestures by the men in our lives have in common?

well, first they are in response to reality. i mean, there are some legitimate needs at play in these scenarios: hunger, money, sleep. they aren't just walking around, willy nilly, trying to find something to do. they are perceiving needs and meeting them.

second, they are sincere. it is the way in which these gestures are executed that makes them loving. he is getting out of bed, choosing her preferences over his, overcoming the weight of the day, and weaving his way through details just to make her life a little easier.

third, they are actually what we need. as women we think our "need-o-meter" can tell us every solution to every problem. i mean, she would be much happier if she... if people just looked at life like...all that guy really needs is... but what we really need is to serve and allow ourselves to be served. as thrilling as rose pedals in bed might be, there is nothing like coming face to face with a man who will chose your sleep over his, or restaurant, self-esteem, or pocket book.

and then someone got a text message, and we started talking about being dairy and gluten free and about new houses and lunch routines. before we knew it we were back to the kiddie pool, splashing around and having a grand ol' time. but I won't forget the plunge. indeed, i know now deeper waters exist and are waiting to be forged.

Turtle Neck Swimming Suit Fiasco

In sixth grade, just after my parents got divorced, I was in desperate need of a new swimming suit. My dad, smack in the middle of a mid-life crisis, bought a boat with his brother and we suddenly found ourselves on the lake every-other weekend.

So there we were wandering through the racks of Wal*Mart. Me and the recent bachelor looking for a swimming suit for the awkward twelve year old body of mine. Even if it didn't look so awkward it felt awkward and that was enough to keep me embarrassed at almost every moment of the day. You can imagine the shade of my face as my dad and I searched for a nylon article of clothing that might as well be underwear.

Among racing suits and bikinis of every size and color- well, every size but mine as such things go- was a swimming suit like I had never seen before and have never seen since. My dad found it and I believe me, it was a sight to behold- the turtle neck swimming suit. An unidentifiable paisley-ish pattern with pinks and yellows which didn't quite go together, it was a mock turtle neck with thick straps that covered the whole shoulder. The top extended to the bottoms and the bottoms were shorts that fit no one, I'm fairly certain of it.

Once the tankini was found my dad was convinced that I must be its owner. Despite much pleading and whining I was suddenly wearing it in all its horrendousness. But at $9 how could we pass it down? my dad wondered. Due to some low lever miracle, pass it down we did. I finally convinced him that there were other fish in the sea and if he ever wanted to see me out at the lake again that poor excuse for a swimming suit could not come home with us.

I just thought you should know.