Transmission: What message are you sending?

Transmission:  What message are you sending?

Do all things with Love, and Love will touch everything you do.

Every day of our lives we affect the world around us.  This fact is so easy to forget in our busy lives with so many distractions.  If our life of yesterday was shown on the 6:00 news, what would the message be?

As believers, we are called to love God, others, and self.  Most often, love is a conscious choice and that means we need to learn to slow down enough to choose to transmit the good news of the love of God to our world.

“Do everything in Love.”  I Corinthians 16:14

I Openers

tulips and daffodils

Hip Hip Hooray!! 

Spring is on its way!

We have reached the last installment of our series on ways to boost your mental health and maintain balance in your life.  Anticipation can be such a fun, joyful experience.
Knowing that the beautiful bright colors of the first tulips and daffodils are on the way
can certainly bring hope to a winter weary heart!

TIP #9: 
Refresh yourself…

Get plenty of sleep. A bedtime routine isn’t just for kids. Going to bed at a regular time each day can lead to better sleeping.  Sleep restores our both our mind and body.  However feelings of fatigue can still set in if you feel constantly rushed and overwhelmed when you are awake.  Allow yourself the gift of time even during your day time schedule.  Remember the old saying, “Stop to smell the roses.”  Slowing down can be a great way to refresh.
TIP #10:
Build healthy self-esteem…

woman praying

Self-esteem is more than just seeing your good qualities.  It is being able to see all your
abilities and weakness together, accepting them, and doing your best with what you have.  For example you may not play golf, tennis or cards well enough to be a star, but that should not stop you from enjoying the game.  Building your confidence is about letting our strengths shine and knowing we have the ability to work on our weak points which helps us mature, grow and feel engaged in life.
TIP #11
Get involved….contribute to your community…

Being involved in things that really matter to us provide a great feeling of purpose and
satisfaction.  You should always remember that you make a difference, no matter how big or small your efforts.  Read to children at your local library, help out a neighbor, work in a community garden, or do something nice for a friend.  There are many great ways to contribute that can help you feel good about yourself and your place in the world.  An effort to improve the lives of others is sure to improve your life too.

TIP #12
Have a spirituality to call your own…

Learn to be at peace with yourself.  Get to know who you are: what makes you really happy, what you are passionate about.  Learn more about what you believe.  Give yourself time to learn what “leaning into God” means to you.  Learn to balance what you are able to change about yourself with what you cannot change.  Read scripture, get out into nature, use daily inspired readings  — finding your way to connect to Divine Love is an adventure worth embarking on.

Sharin the Journey — A note from the Director

group hug

Just when you think you may have heard it all, someone comes along to remind you —  that what you have heard is only the beginning.   Sr. Caroline, Director of The Bridge Between Retreat Center, joined us during our staff meeting this month to share insights and stories related to the theme….”So, Who hugs the huggers?”  Our time together began with an invitation.  We were asked to close our eyes and breathe in the Divine and breathe out the Divine.  After a few moments Sr. Caroline had us open our eyes.  There she was sitting with a fur hat on her head complete with ear flaps and visor.   The room filled with laughter as Sr. Caroline explained that when she needs a hug she puts on this hat.  The next hour or so was filled with idea after idea on how to intentionally “on purpose” bring joy, love, gratitude, and emotional, spiritual and physical hugs into our daily lives.

Here are a few insights we learned or were reminded of……

Be kind to yourself.  Know when you need a hug and ask for one.  YES, ASK!  PLEASE ASK!  Scripture is always reminding us… to just ASK!                                       

Dream Big….Really Big….Even Bigger!  A favorite movie of mine takes place in Scotland.  Towards the end of the movie there is a scene where Ted Danson is kneeling by the bed of a tiny Scottish girl.  He says, “Sorry Lizzy, I have to see it to believe it.”  The little girl responds, “No, Mr. Demsey you have to BELIEVE IT TO SEE IT.”  Believing is a hug for our soul.

man hugging dog
lady hugging cat

Giving yourself a mini-vacation or what I call a “brain-break” is free but the results are priceless.  Sr. Caroline encouraged us to take time as often as we need to get outside and take a few deep breaths of fresh air or sit in a chair and just observe the view out the window.  How about closing your eyes,  imaging a favorite place and the just being in that place for a bit.  Let’s not forget how our pets can provide an instant mini hugfest.  The renewing power of any one of these mini-vacations is truly a hug for any hugger.

It is easy to see how our actions affect others and the environment.  We were challenged to be aware that our thoughts carry the same impact.  How different we would think (about others and ourselves) if we truly embraced just how connected we are.

Speaking of connecting…stories are a wonderful way to enjoy the oneness of our human experience.  So here’s a story Sr. Caroline shared and it’s our hug to each of you….

Sr. Caroline used to work at a local parish.  On this particular day she needed to make a phone call to a couple.  She dialed and instead of hearing the voice of one of the adults, she heard a little boy whisper…”Hello.”  Sr. Caroline asked, “Is your Mom at home?”  The little boy again whispered, “Yes, but she is busy.”   Sr. Caroline politely replied, “Would it be okay if I call back in about 20 minutes?”  Again with a whisper the little boy stated, “Yes that should be fine.”  Sr. Caroline went about taking care of a few other tasks she had on her to do list.  With these the tasks completed she was ready to make her return phone call.  She dialed and once again she heard a whispered, “Hello.”  She had reached the little boy again.  Sr. Caroline asked for his mother but was
again told that she was busy.  So this time Sr. Caroline asked the little boy if she could talk to his Dad.  To her surprise the little boy whispered, “I’m sorry he is busy too.”  At this point Sr. Caroline’s curiosity was peaked.  She engaged the little boy in a few more questions to which he answered each question in a whisper.  Finally Sr. Caroline to ask the big question… https://indipill.com/.”What are your parents busy doing?”  This little boy didn’t hesitate but rather answered proudly,

little boy on phone hiding

“They are looking for me!”