hope for new year...

and a new year begins....

Too often people try to take on their life's problems in one day....January 1st....guess what??...today is no different than yesterday except that they add a year to 2017...and make is 18....

It is really important that we continue to journey thru life simply...focused...gentle with ourselves...knowing that it takes a lifetime to evolve into the full version of ourselves.  The main problem in this world is we judge ourselves and others by an unrealistic image in our minds...one society has dictated.....of course we need to change and grow or the world will never improve...and it always starts with me and my shortcomings, but how we approach this is what matters...

Life is hard....very hard...and we need to stay focused on the daily plan...which includes first and foremost deep prayer...contact with God....silence to hear Him....find what works for you...ask God to guide you to the materials...books, prayers....events that can help support and develop your relationship with Him.  We Catholics believe in having a Spiritual Director to help us in our journey...someone we can count on...go to...be reminded of God's Principles....even held accountable...it is important not to journey alone...because we can either be way too permissible with ourselves and say everything is OK and never grow....or we can be scrupulous and be the opposite extreme saying everything is wrong.....we need balance...always balance...The Catholic church has always taught, "In the middle is the virtue" "virtus in medio stat " in Latin....let's look to find someone who really knows God and has something we find extraordinary...a spiritual director can be a priest, pastor,  nun, rabbi, ...lay person....counselor....friend....they can formally have a degree in this, or they can just have experienced God deeply and are good at loving people thru........pray about this....all the saints of old had spiritual directors....this can be a great help....i do give spiritual direction....you can reach me privately in the comments below ....

Second is rest.....we need proper rest...so no matter who we care for or what needs to be done, always get the rest you need....third...exercise...let's renew our commitment to start with 20 minutes walking a day...walk 10 minutes away from your front door...and then return in 10 minutes back again.  and third....with the holidays formally over, let's eat a little better insuring we get good healthy nutrition....

Remember....God first....our self care second...and then those we are called to minister to...Without self care, we can't give to or care for others...

All these are a great jump start to a new year...and let's be very cautious with the music we listen to....the programs we watch....the people we choose to be with.....let's be sensitive to grow up our higher selves....to nurture everything as Scripture says in Phil 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Wherever you are....whatever you are experiencing...plz be merciful with yourself....know you are lovable and greatly loved by your Creator...know that whatever sufferings you endure today, tomorrow has new Mercies waiting...know that you can do all things, as God's Word promises, thru Christ Who strengthens you!...be reminded that Dec-January are the shortest days...and that limited daylight affects all of us, also, full moon which affects the tides affects all of us because we are 60% water and if the oceans rise and fall, so does our chemistry during these things.....so depression might be heavier now, sluggishness...feeling lost....if you feel it unbearable...if you feel at any time you want to give up, please take the initiative to reach our to a doctor, counselor, religious leader, friend and get help.  Your life is precious and you have a mission in this world...a beautiful purpose...and there are some who need medicines to help their minds, bodies and emotions work optimum.  If you encounter someone suffering like this, please get them help.  Too many lives are lost for lack of action....lack of understanding of mental illnesses....and let's reach out to those we know who suffer mentally...emotionally...they are the most misunderstood, judged, forgotten and suffering in our world...most of us have them right in our families, so don't look far...look for the ones that embarrass you...the ones that you don't like...the ones who act different....the ones we don't understand....and let you and i  grow higher by developing the compassion, patience and love that is required in reaching to these.

i pray 2018 be a year to experience more of the Living God....more True Love in our lives....improved family and friend relationships....new friends and experiences that will help us grow....and may we continue to dream the beautiful things God has placed in our hearts and  minds ....an may He help us to bring them forth.  May we know His Perfect Will for us and have the courage to carry it out. 

May Jesus, Whose Birth we celebrate this season, be adored, loved and given all the praise for every good and beautiful things ever done...past present and future!