Bird Droppings March 10, 2012

We are where we need to be now

 

“St. Therese’s Prayer: May today there be peace within. May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let his presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.” St. Therese of Lisieux

 

I woke up this morning and went outside to see the sunrise and ponder and my thoughts were so jumbled from a severe sinus headache but the stillness of the morning with the rain drops finally gone and the only sound my dog shuffling through the grass the cool air seemed to help as I meditated for a few moments while I took our dog out. Wrapped in my blanket standing looking at the little dipper I was having a hard time thinking of what to write about and came inside and fell asleep trying to clear my head, but only for a minute. I knew I would have a thought after I could think again.

I came into school to get my computer and brief case and an email I received was one of those forwarded and sent to everyone things was in my in box as I looked at my email. So often I delete forwards immediately without checking I get quite a few from students. Things like you will die tonight if you break this chain sort of thing. Most get caught in spam blocker. Once in a blue moon I respond and add a line, like if you break this chain many people will thank you, or borrowing from St. Theresa “may today there be peace with you”. A simple line yet so often I have just walked down the hall where a student was “so pissed” to borrow from the teen vernacular and that feeling will carry for a few moments maybe all day but  what if we could find peace within and carry that all day a powerful thought.

 

“May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.” St. Therese

 

I have often said I am where I am meant to be right at this moment we can all come up with the whys and how’s but for whatever reason I am here doing something that brings fulfillment and joy.

 

“May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith?” St. Therese

 

So often faith is conceived of as religion and in this context I really think a synonym is appropriate “trust” do not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of trust. I work daily with students I cannot trust but I have to do something with them. In order to move in any direction requires trust at some point and trust in one self as well, a powerful word is trust. Dr. James Fowler of The Candler School of Theology in his book The Development of Faith led me to this view of trust and faith.

 

“May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.” St. Therese

 

So often far too often people sit and seek help never utilizing what they could do for themselves. We live in a world where it is far too easy to ask for help and gets it never really trying to survive on our own. Maybe this is why I really do not like the reality shows and survivor shows. I have often said give them a match and a Swiss army knife and drop them on a deserted island and come back in a month that is a real survival show. But the second part is crucial pass on the love that has been given too you. In today’s day and age so often we hoard love, we except but do not pass it on. It struck me as I read these simple words and yet such powerful words.

As I do so often I researched St. Therese and this wonderful person was a nun inFrancein the late 1800’s. She had devoted her life to prayer and understanding prayer. After she was gone books were written about the doctor of prayer.

 

“Grace walks in simplicity” Thomas a Kempis

 

I recalled several books I have read in the past few years written by a new age sort of guru of prayer Dr. Larry Dossey. He has authored numerous books on prayer, from a medical standpoint as a physician. Healing Words was one of his first books. He has sought alternatives in his medicine for many years and lectures now through the world on alternative medicine. I have a small book I have used several times in my morning writings written by an Native American physician who uses bits and pieces of his past to heal those in need.

I received an email from a former student many months ago and I will end today with a few words from her note. She went into my idea of a puzzle and mentioned how it is finally making sense to her as her life falls into place. She mentioned her new friend Kous a two and a half year old red-tailed hawk that her new boyfriend who happens to be a falconer is training. One of my students yesterday told me he was going to visit with a local falconer today that reminded me of this story from the past. But as I read her note for the first time in many years I know there was a peace with her now. Puzzle pieces falling into place, in its simplicity, may we all try and attain peace within ourselves and then spread it around. Please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your hearts and to always give thanks.

namaste

bird