Weekender March 2, 2002
Volume 4, Issue 9
Regrets
Quote: The real enemies of life are the 'oughts'
and 'ifs.' They pull us backwards into the
unalterable past and forward into the
unpredictable future. But real life takes
place in the here and now. God is always in
the moment, be that moment hard or easy,
joyful or painful.
Henri Nouwen (1932 - 1996) was a Jesuit priest
and writer, born in the Netherlands.
Source: "Living in the Present Tense" by Paula
Rinehart, Discipleship Journal, Jan/Feb 1999.
Potential
Quote: We are not what we know. We are what we are
willing to learn.
Council on Ideas - a think tank in New Mexico,
the brain child of Michael Nesmith.
Source: "Insights from the World's Most Expensive
Fortune Cookies," Spirituality and Health,
Spring 2001.
Aging
Quote: It seems to me nowadays that the most important
task for someone who is aging is to spread love
and warmth wherever possible.
Kathe Kollwitz (1867-1945) German printmaker who
used her art to depict the plight of the poor and
to describe the atrocities of war.
Source: The New Beacon Book of Quotations by Women
UK
Forgiveness
Quote: The process of forgiveness -- indeed the chief
reason for forgiveness -- is selfish. The reason
to forgive others is not for their sake. They are
not likely to know that they need to be forgiven.
They're not likely to remember their offense.
They are likely to say, "You just made that up."
They may even be dead. The reason to forgive is
for our own sake. For our own health. Because
beyond that point needed for healing, if we hold
on to our anger, we stop growing and our souls
begin to shrivel.
M. Scott Peck (1936- ) was trained as a psychiatrist,
but has gained renown as a writer about human
growth and pain.
Source: Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth
by M. Scott Peck
UK
Commitment
Quote: The lover heals the world not by a vague and abstract love for everybody and everything, but by becoming passionate and vowing fidelity to concrete relationships, persons, institutions, and places.Sam Keen was a professor of philosophy and religion, and has worked as a contributing editor at Psychology Today. He is an author, consultant, and seminar leader.
Source: The Spirit of Loving compiled by Emily Hilburn Sell UK
Bonus Reading on Planning
by Bob Perks
You share a thought. You say "thanks, have a nice day!" You pause for a moment and ask "How are you today?" You go to work and do what you do. You're bored and feel like you are unimportant. You are retired and feel like there's nothing left but to live out your remaining days and just be happy you woke up this morning. "What good am I?" you ask. This little rut that you created in the world you live in sometimes comes crumbling down on you. You get buried up to your neck and you cry once more, "Why me God? What have I done to deserve this?" Back in your younger days you were full of life. Your spirit soared and you wanted to claim the world as yours. Maybe some of you really didn't ask much from life. You wanted the basics, a home, family and someone who loved you. Visions of white picket fences and posies, a small garden and a nice vacation up to the mountains would be just perfect. Now, you stand there in what you think are the ruins of a life gone wrong and you moan. You are faced with health issues or someone in your life has been diagnosed with a life threatening disease and you fear the worst. Your days are dark and gloomy and your attitude stinks. Still you cry out "God help me!" Is this you? If it is, you have no idea how incredibly valuable you are. You see, what you have failed to recognize is that all that you think you need you have already. All of the elements of your definition of happiness already exists. The treasure you have been searching for all of these years is...YOU! You can't buy what you need. You can't learn what you need. You can't get what you need from prayer. You have it already. The answer is YOU! All of this torture is unwarranted. All of the worry is a waste of time. But heed this warning. Time is passing by and you cannot make up for it. The value of the treasure that is you has not diminished at all. But you have lost this precious gift of time. Wasted it. Thrown it away. Spent it like it was unending. I need you. We all do. Right there where you are, being you, God's precious gift to the world. "I am not gifted, talented, gorgeous! What can I offer the world? What difference can I make?" you ask. Be human. Permit yourself to be fully expressed in and around the world you live in. It is right there that you can serve the world by touching the lives and spirits of others who cross your path. They are in need of you and all that makes you unique. Yes, my gift comes in the form of words. Yours may be a craft, a smile, a helping hand, a generous donation to do the things you cannot do. Maybe you are a great listener. There are millions who want to be heard. Maybe you are best at just sitting quietly. There are thousands who just need company. Can you cut grass? Can you bake? Can you fill out forms and pay bills? Can you drive? Can you walk? There are thousands who can't. I have been expressing myself and sharing my thoughts and believed that I would never get a greater reward or satisfaction than I already glean from this thing I do for a living, no a loving. Then today I received the most glorious gift. This message: Hello, The line at the bottom of the story says if you were blessed by reading it to write and say so. Oh my God, why are you so good to me? If this was my last day on earth I would leave fulfilled and happy. Read this line again...Today, I choose to begin to live again... Today is my day. No my friend, today is my day. You made it so. You took the time to be you. You spent this precious time you have to tell me that what I am matters.
"I believe in You!"
© 2001 All Rights Reserved Worldwide Bob Perks |