We are all connected.

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Today, Bishop Barron shared this poignant thought with us; “God’s love can truly dwell in us only in the measure that we give it away.”

That loop of grace.

So many opportunities present themselves each day to give the gift of your personal care, support and love. Not with the intention acheiving some KPI, in the form of money, immaterial transactions, offerings. But to genuinely just give the gift of yourself to and for another.

Opening a door expresses you acknowledge they are worth your effort.

A simple smile shares some actual joy of the moment that is meant to be shared.

Allowing them to get in line ahead of you, turn first at the intersection, take that parking spot, or offering them your cart moves them ahead of your needs at that instant. A glimpse of their importance to you. Making it about them.

Saying “hi, how are you?” passing a stranger in a store. Might be the only voice they hear all day.

Or better yet, stopping to actually listen if that stranger starts to share how they are, what is troubling them, the challenge they are about to face, how rough the day has been so far, or just a “thanks!” for saying “Hi”.

Perhaps the breakfast place is busy but short staffed. You can see it in the wait staffs eyes and body. They are exhausted, but yet, make you feel like you were sitting in your own kitchen. Eye contact, a smile, kind words and some generosity when you tip might help them overcome that distress. Not that money buys everything. Just that you recognize their effort, attention and commitment. You love the way they work.

There aren’t gonna be any bill boards or text messages alerting you to be aware of these moments. You just need to be present. Caught up less in yourself so you can be more so for others around you. Small things yes. But they can build. They will see, feel and experience the best version of you. You may help reveal the best in them and bring about true connection.

Doing it for others is the best way to actually do it for yourself. It truly is a loop.

Believe it as such.

We are all connected.

But boy, do they yet remain.

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Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite sports to watch and play?
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Football was my passion to play, and now, to coach.

A source of enduring friendship and life lessons that to this day still resonate, guide and teach. Some of the most formative times in my life. Playing. And now coaching. An opportunity to share the gifts the game gave to me then and continues to offer as we speak.

When you witness an expression on a young mans face that resembles the one you feel in your heart, then you know he has found that moment in his life too. A fleeting connection, but one just the same. They pass and life moves on.

But boy, do they yet remain.

That bond he cannot break.

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Each day brings with it a new level of understanding. Just happens somehow.

Truly amazing.

So, in a gospel reflection a few days back, an aspect of the lesson turned towards the origins of “Satan”. Not solely the being, but how the Hebrew etymology definitively describes the fallen ones nature.

“Adversary”.

The “accuser”, “scatterer” are his two names found in the Bible. Bishop Barron goes on to share, “Jesus specifies that his work is in driving out Satan—which is to say, the accuser.

The false way of organizing ourselves—present from the beginning—is through accusation, scapegoating, the establishment of us against them, insiders vs. outsiders.”

Though thousands of years separate us from its origins, there remains this adversary, common to us all, scattering us through accusation. How it is recognized and the form it assumes may vary generation to generation. But its demeanor, resolve and purpose is firm.

Intent on scattering via accusation.

Perhaps we might want to focus more on connecting through genuine understanding.

That bond he cannot break.

Winner take all.

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Daily writing prompt
What would you do if you won the lottery?
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From a strictly monetary sense, I would erase all personal debt and that of my family and extended family. I would continue my path of donation as it is now, adding more support and benefactors as I see fit.

I would have a debit card with a large balance that I could carry around and buy someone a tank of gas while I fill up at Kwik Trip, a family’s meal at a restaurant I am at, the cart full of groceries behind me in line at the store, the supplies the young couple are buying to paint their house as I am getting some for me. Essentially just sharing what I have been given, day by day, until it is all gone.

From a spiritual sense, there are days I feel like I have won it already. Over and over. Horsing around with my two older grandkids. Holding my newest granddaughter for the first time. Helping one of my protégés find employment and further their independence. Watching another develop and grow within his vocation. Coaching for Special Olympics and seeing those young men and women succeed. Hearing words once used in coaching being used by another.

Seeing another sunrise. Watching my downstairs garden grow. Venus next to the moon and Orion over the house. Being a part of a spiritual fellowship. Hugs from my kids. Fuzzy farts from my grandson. Hearing my best friend laugh.

I guess when all is said and done, a lottery isn’t really confined to some hyped up game that is made or unmade when some numbers are called. Every day can be like one. You just have to be there for all those drawings. Big. Small. Known. Coincidence.

Winner take all.

Freedom.

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Daily writing prompt
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
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I may have alluded to this before when it comes to fun and the like.

Maybe it is just me, but assigning a name or a designation to a time seems confining. Restrictive. Potentially harming to a sense of presence. After all, it literally means “free time”.

I have found some leisure on the way to work, a cold call or to meet with a client. The radio might become an unwary sponsor to that chance to chill, play drums on the steering wheel or sing into your Yeti.

Some of my manic cleaning/organizing activities present a sense of leisure when I happen onto a better way of arranging things, knock something off the list and bring a sense of order to clutter. It can be a true source of release.

Cooking too. Knowing what the time will yield in a steaming, delicious dish for dinner. A creation beckoning for seconds and even a scoop or two when you are putting it in the fridge. Having your casserole and eating it too.

Here I go again; pulling some weeds, picking up some sticks and trimming away the dead parts in the flower beds. Free time to feel free, gain a sense of release and attain some instant gratification.

Leisure is free time.

So don’t spend it overthinking, putting it on a calendar, planning around it and costing you time to arrange it. When time makes its presence known, be in that moment and take it. Doing that provides you with something very profound and lasting.

Freedom.