Conversations

"We must be the change we want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Did you see the piece on NBC about the town of Gander, Newfoundland?

(5 miles)

Back to thinking

(3 miles)

News

I heard today, on NPR, that one million people in Haiti remain homeless.

(4 miles)

Sometimes

LIfe is a blur. We've had so many snowy days, I think I've lost track of the days. I ran yesterday...not today. It was a little hilarious; my mouth was all numbed up from the dentist. I was worried about what I might not be aware of, so I spent a lot of energy focusing on my mouth...rediculous.

I'm only human, after all!

(3 miles)

Blah

Three miles today...certainly not a remarkable run.

Today

I ran today. That's all, just ran. It wasn't hard or easy, but it was boring. When it's boring, I try to go blank and not think about anything. This seems to make the time go more quickly, but it is difficult to do and even more - lots more - difficult to sustain. I have a certain respect for those who meditate.

When I could not clear my mind today, I tried to focus on my blessings, especially in light of thosewho are suffering in Haiti. Blessings are a theme this week; the Beatitudes will be read on Sunday; my students are learning about the Beatitudes this week; at practice, the choir sang the Beatitudes. It's almost like I should pay attention and spend some time thinking instead of going blank.

(3 miles)

Learning to Pray

I take the following from a little card from Contemplatives In Action, in New Orleans. It explains: "The Examen" is a simple prayer, a prayer for busy people who are continually seeking to do the Lord's will." If only I could stay so focused.

The Examen Revisited

I take amoment to consider my participation in building the Kingdom of God through my involvement in social ministry.

Calling to mind my experience...Recall the past day, the past week, the past month, the past year. Go through and review all of those moments.

Arriving in God's Presence...Take a few deep breaths and come to know God's presence within you.

Expressing my Gratitude...What gifts have I received over the course of the day that I can be thankful for? Was there one moment, one person, in particular?

Asking for Forgiveness...Have there been times when I have not been attentive to God's presence or love in my life? I mention those moments now and ask for forgiveness.

Restoring my faith and courage...I ask for healing and remain open to God's desire to care for me.

Hoping for a better tomorrow...I pray that my thoughts and actions be aligned with God's will and that I may turn to God's grace for guidance.

(4 miles)

When it snows it pours (AKA Detours)

Snowstorm, Catholic Schools Week Open House, son with a broken arm...I'm back on track now.

(4 miles)

News

I took this right out of an email from CRS:

While roads are starting to clear and food and aid are reachinghundreds of thousands of people, the needs are still enormous inHaiti. Toppled buildings, sprawling camps and tented homes set up onthe roadside are sobering reminders of the long road ahead.New fears loom about the oncoming rainy season and the critical needsfor emergency shelter and sanitation. " To help prepare for the coming rains, CRS and ourpartner, Caritas Haiti, have ordered materials for 20,000 temporaryshelter kits, and are planning for more.Nevertheless, we are making strides daily and reaching more peoplethan ever. CRS and Caritas Haiti are distributing an average of 62metric tons of food per day.

CRS and Caritas Haiti medical teams are treating an estimated 300people per day. They are seeing a gradual change in needs from acutewounds to more waterborne illnesses, such as diarrhea and typhoid, soa public health campaign has been created to encourage better sanitaryhealth practices to limit these outbreaks. Additionally, CRS isworking with a team from the University of Maryland shock trauma unit,which will be performing round-the-clock surgeries and saving manymore lives. The 22-person team brought 8,000 pounds of donated and purchased medical supplies, equipment and medications.CRS is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support.

Just thinking

I bought an interesting book called Change the World for Ten Bucks. It was put together by a nonprofit movement called We Are What We Do. They have a website: www.wearewhatwe do.org. I don't claim to know everything about them; you can check them out, but I like some of their stuff. Like this:

"A TV that's plugged in is still using half the electricity of a TV that's turned on. ...unplug appliances or use a power strip with a switch to shut off the flow of electricity (sic)." That's easy!

(5 miles)

keeping up

February 1

It was warmer than expected in Milwaukee this weekend. It was an action packed Saturday, but I managed to squeeze in a few miles. The news says that there was another kind of trouble in Haiti: I am hoping that good intentions have been misunderstood. The option, kidnapping, is too evil to imagine. There is such a long list of things to keep in my prayers.


(3 miles on January 30)