Tag Archives: #faith

A hero.

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The times in which we find ourselves could be defined as uncharted, challenging and just downright complex.  An ever expanding array of perilous world events. Protest. Distrust. Separation. Isolation. Anger. Times in desperate need of heroes. 

Things that suddenly and seemingly appear as fact in the ether of the internet creating  anxiety, angst or anger;  in or unintentionally.  The stories one hears about from “so and so” via social media, snaps that lead to endless meaningless chats, obscure podcasts from an even more obscure expert or the truth thrice shared from the influencer du jour.  

But with some faith, discernment, perseverance and presence, the good in all of this can still be found. It is not that it is hidden, unavailable or too costly to pursue.  Just that it is human nature to see the negative first rather than investing, hunkering down, leaning into and embracing the positive that exists  within all of this adversity.

It is simply stunning to see the number of heroes that are being revealed each and every moment across the globe. 

Leaders of all births, upbringings and life experiences that  come to light every hour.  Strangers that are willing to leave it all out there for the one next to them with nary a regard for their own person. Regardless of social standing, responsibility or title,  men and women  are literally putting their lives on the line. For that person next to them, that person’s family, town, region, country and way of life.   

This just doesn’t happen. It is a mindset that is entirely born from within.  An entity that possesses a character, integrity, commitment and strength all its own. All of which is predicated, derives its sustenance from and thrives  on putting yourself aside and giving it all up for the guy or gal next to you.  Making it not about you. Just all about them. 

Give witness to what it is going on in the world and imagine its  impact here in your home town. Each of  you can be that kind of hero right here.  Not in an international way but in a local community sense.  You need not be recognized for it, command headlines or capture x number of views because of it. 

You just need to be it.

And do it. 

Then, trust that the rest of it will take care of itself.  

As one of many that aims to do so, please try to do the same. Leave it all out there to make it about them – not you. Overcoming oneself in the process.

Because in the end, this will be an action that not only helps to make them, but will transform you as well.   Losing yourself is actually a great path toward true awareness and self-discovery. In that can be found the bounty of recovery, purpose and a profound sense of joy.

So you can keep the mask and cape to yourself. They are not requisite for heroism. But those you love enough to help rescue will recognize that uniform immediately.

Since your soul has been clothed as such.

A hero.

And life.

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“You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.”
― Henry Nouwen

Though all is contained in one collective space, the mind, heart, body and soul can vie for preeminence over each other or become independent of one another. At least that has been my experience.

The mind has its intnetions in the right place, but yet, if it cannot interconnect with its teammates, there will be little if any change in course. It can generate great ideas and stimulate a new vision, but if the heart doesn’t buy into it and the spirit is not willing, well, you know how the state of the flesh.

Talking oneself out of great beginnings has been one of this author’s highest acheivements. The sensation is akin to rolling oneself out of a deep snow drift. Rev it up, rock it back, rev it up more, rock it back. You get the gist. Laying out vast schematics within your mind as to why things just won’t work the way you wish. Then avoiding the revision that points out the straightest path.

All the while, your heart retains an unfulfilled emptiness, your soul untested and a body stuck in an idle neutral.

Yet, if you overcome the urge to reinvent and rationalize, and to paraphrase, “do it”, then all heck breaks loose. The heart begins to engage and fill with a sense of joy brought on by the actions. Your soul begins to align and see an incumbent purpose in the undertaking. Your body generates an energy and momentum to carry moment and those to come. And your mind, quips, “why didn’t I think of this?”

When all four work in concert, they collaborate not just to maintain but to elevate their game. Rallying to overcome adversity and challenges that may attack a specific aspect of your being by acting as one. Smarter overcomes harder. Joy inundates sorrows. Purpose replaces purposeless. And a new found stamina energizes the entire enterprise.

Thinking about it does have its place. But that may only serve to restrict you to a highly confined area. Living it invites you to an ever sprawling world. Embracing all there is about you. Open to adventure. Learning. Growth. Connection. Purpose.

And life.

Awake.

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“I cannot be awake, for nothing looks to me as it did before, or else I am awake for the first time, and all before has been a mean sleep.”

― Walt Whitman

Well put Mr. Whitman. 

Especially that state  you describe as “a mean sleep.”

I believe that we all tend to share a common bunk at one time or another in our lives.  Where we only see life from one side.  Tearing ourselves down but neglecting  to enjoin in a rebuilding process.  Hearing only the negative, construing honest interactions as disparaging, disregarding the  true affirmations born of love and tucking away all of what we are made to be so we can  return back to our mean sleep.  

Though it entirely contradicts common sense, there is this misperception of comfort to be found under that stifling blanket, albeit unhealthy.  Covered by bad habits, we choose to remain.  It is known territory.  Nothing comes unexpected.  We convince ourselves it is all as it should be.  Because simply “it is what it is.”

Well there is another side of that bed.  

Might appear to be cold and dark at first glance.  But if we give it a chance,  we  will sense  a warm and inviting light over there.  Perhaps our  eyes, ears, head and heart need to get used to the difference present in that glow.  But  when we roll over and  throw off those stifling covers, we  begin to hear things in another voice. 

Through the light finally penetrating the glass, we can now perceive  it as  becoming half full. Glimmers of positivity radiate within conversations.  Others’ shared expressions of what they see in us bathe us in a warmth we  have longed to know for what seemed an eternity. And as our focus sharpens, that figure now facing us  is the one we have always known ourselves  to be.  

Though nothing may look to us like it ever did before, there can be  a first time for everything.  In a way, that is how an epiphany works.  

And finally being awake like this, for the first time,  brings us great rest, peace and joy.

For nothing looks like it did before.

Gifted.

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“The wise men came to Bethlehem and gave the child their precious gifts. When you come to Christ, break open the very best of yourself and make it a gift for him.

Finally, they returned to their home country by another route. As Fulton Sheen commented so magnificently: “Of course they did; for no one comes to Christ and goes back the same way he came!”

Bishop Barron – Daily Gospel Reflections, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Some time ago, I got lost on my way towards Bethlehem.  Not that I am or ever will be a wiseman.  Just that I too saw the guiding warmth in that star.  I wanted nothing more than to be there for and with Him.  Unfortunately, I got lost.  I chose selfish defiance instead of selfless reliance. Since then, I have been working to find my way back ever since. 

Sad to say, when I can finally return in full, I will not be able to break open the very best of myself as my gift to Him. 

I will only be able to share my utter brokenness.   

He deserves better.  But for now, that is all I have.  

But I know now that He understands the nature of my gift and is ok with that. He simply wishes for a relationship.  Friendship.  A bond. Love.

He knows for a fact that anyone that comes to Him is most likely broken in some fashion.  In need of reassurance. Repair.  Redemption. And resurrection.  He knows that anyone that comes to Him does not go back the same way.  His loving touch changes everything.

His gift to me.

That is exactly what I am counting on. 

That is what I desperately need.

That is what I know for a fact will ultimately come to save me.

My journey may have taken me towards Him from one direction.

But I am counting on not going back the same way.

For He knows which way to send me.

Gifted.

“Areté ”

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ah-reh-‘tay

In its most basic sense, a word from the ancient Greeks meaning  “excellence of any kind”.

Taking a bit of semantic and philosophical license, Areté  could be defined as  “moral virtue”.  And given the nature of that concept – virtue –  it stands to reason that excellence is derivative of virtuous thoughts, words and deeds.   Of doing the right thing.

For as Plato said, “We do not act rightly because we are excellent, in fact we achieve excellence by acting rightly.” Greek mythology made Areté  divinity; the goddess of virtue, excellence, goodness and valour.

“There is a tale that Areté dwells on unclimbable rocks and close to the gods, tending a holy place.  She may not be seen by the eyes of all mortals, but only by him on whom distressing sweat comes from within, the one who reaches the peak of manliness.”

An acknowledgement that excellence is a higher standing. A path that  is intended to be a struggle.  A challenge.  A journey to elicit excellence.

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle –  the renowned triumvirate of Greek philosophers, teachers and orators – spent their lives in the pursuit of understanding  our human condition.  Discerning how best to find our rightful place.  Here, in the mortal world,  and within the universe, among  the divine.

Since its earliest appearance in Greek, there is the idea that Areté  was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one’s full potential.

Throughout the Homeric poems, Areté is frequently associated with bravery, but more often, with effectiveness. The man or woman of Areté is a person of the highest effectiveness; they use all their faculties: strength, bravery and wit, to achieve real results. In the Homeric world, then, Areté involves all of the abilities and potentialities available to humans.

In the mortal sense, excellence is about making the most of all that we are and all that we have  – to become all you were meant to be.  In so doing, you endeavor to approach the divine,  by acting rightly.

We  strive because there is virtue in it.  We strive, because it is the right thing to do.  More than just a word, motto or mindset.   Arete – excellence –  is a mandate.  A command.

Michaelangelo could also have heard this command.  To make the absolute most of his abilities and potential.  And by virtue of his actions, become a true renaissance man.

“If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful after all.” he is said to have remarked.  Stating what  could be  a common refrain for those that choose to pursue excellence.  For it is work.  And only committed, ceaseless effort can render such compelling results.

Michelangelo was not only regarded as the greatest living artist of his lifetime, but is now considered to be one of the greatest artists of all time.  A number of his works in painting, sculpture, and architecture rank among the most compelling and famous in existence. His output in every field during his long life was prodigious.  When the sheer volume of his correspondence, sketches, and reminiscences that survive are taken into account, he is the best documented artist of the 16th century.”

It may not have dawned on him – as he was putting the finishing touches on that chapel ceiling or inscribing  his name on Mary’s sash of marble – that his efforts would some day make him a man with global impact.  But then again, he was pursuing  excellence.  A level of excellence that to this day inspires artisans, architects and others to aspire.

John Uebersax sought to sum it up in this fashion: “No English word or phrase captures the exact meaning of Areté . The nearest equivalents are ‘excellence’ and ‘virtue’. But there is something more to Areté which cannot be expressed in words. There is something of the divine in it.”*

From a mortal perspective; we are commanded  to make the most of all that we are  and all that we have. To become all we are meant to be.  By accepting this edict, we can then endeavor to approach the divine. By  virtue of our right thoughts, words and deeds, we can climb those unclimbable rocks.

To that  place where Arete dwells.   For…” in the moment of excellence, something transcends the mundane and touches the ideal.”

*John Ubersaz – https://www.john-uebersax.com/plato/pdf/greektermsebook.pdf