I thought that I was ready for the new year,

with my one word to be my centering for the year.

I also thought that my new medication 

for chronic depression was treating all my symptoms- 

fatigue, indecisiveness, trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

But, no!  One symptom remains, that of indecisiveness.

I discovered that whilst I was reading a blog post by someone 

whose writing talent I admire.  

Her post yesterday was entitled No Word, No Mantra.  

What, no one word? No mantra?  

Well, in reality, 

the only mantra I’ve ever uttered is “Let go, let God.”  

I used that to settle my brain from the teaching day 

in order to go to sleep.  

Other than that, I am not into yoga, zen

or whatever symbolizes meditation for people. 

 I struggle to be silent and just be.  

And any way, God seems to speak to me 

through magazine articles, 

words uttered on TV 

and synchronicity of conversations with others, 

especially during discussions at Bible Study.

So now what?  

Do I still pursue picking one word 

for what I hope for the year 2014?  

Oh, and what word had I chosen?  GRATITUDE.

 A satisfactory word, yes?   

Well, it fits in wonderfully 

with a practice I started yesterday, 

which is to pick one bit a day of what I call 

“Life’s Bits of Wonderfulness”.  

found on Facebook

            

So, out with ‘one word’ and in with a practice full of gratitude.

Are you making any resolutions, 

picking one word as your centering goal?

Pull up a chair, sit a while, 

and share with me, if you’re so inclined.

Happy 2nd day of our new year!

Bits and Pieces of Day One of the New Year, 2014

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

After I ventured out today, 

I made shopping stops at Dollar General 

to buy items that cost lower here than anywhere else, 

then Lowe’s for potting soil and sunflower seeds for the birds, 

lastly Walmart for a few groceries and nonfood items.

At home, I put things away

 and potted the cedar ‘tree’ gifted to me from Lowe’s.  

(The tree was the reason for the potting soil purchase.)  

Next, I cut an apple for my lunch.

Lastly, I tended to banking, 

read some blogs, then sat down for some serious chillin’!

My bit of gratitude: 

I’m grateful for all those ladies 

in Bible Study and Women at the Well 

who contribute to my spiritual welfare.

Thank you, ladies.  

May the new year shower blessings on you and your families! 

This image is a greeting card which I scanned,

then added text.

My Litany of Gratitude

My Litany of Gratitude
For every breath I take,
May I be aware of each.
For the ability to walk,
May I appreciate this gift with each step I take.
For my sight and hearing,
May I listen the Gospel and view my place in it.
For the Word of God,
May it show in my actions.
For Jesus’ dying and resurrection,
May I show my thankfulness in all that I do.
For my sins which have been forgiven,
May I venture forth with determination to do better.
For the love of family and friends,
May I return that love with awareness.

The ladies' Bible Study in my parish

are studying the spiritual book Abide

by Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB.

The author wrote the book as an invitation 

to invite the reader

to make the Word of God

one's home through the practice

of lectio divina.

The detailed explanation about this practice was 

taken from the Wikipedia site.

I pray that our blessed Mother will assist me

in making this beautiful tradition

a life-time custom for

my daily prayer life.

In Christianity, Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading) is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word.^[1] It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.^[2]

Traditionally Lectio Divina has 4 separate steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. First a passage of 

Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.^[3]

The focus of Lectio Divina is not a theological analysis of biblical passages but viewing them with Christ as the key to their meaning. For example, given Jesus' statement in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you" an analytical approach would focus on the reason for the statement during the Last Supper, the biblical context, etc. But in Lectio Divina rather than "dissecting peace", the practitioner "enters peace" and shares in the peace of Christ.^[4] In Christian teachings, this form of meditative prayer leads to an increased knowledge of Christ.^[5][6]

The roots of Scriptural reflection and interpretation go back to Origen in the 3rd century, after whom St. Ambrose taught them to St. Augustine.^[7][8] The monastic practice of Lectio Divina was first established in the 6th century by Saint Benedict and was then formalized as a 4 step process by the Carthusian monk, Guigo II, in the 12th century.^[3] In the 20th century, the constitution Dei Verbum of Pope Paul VI recommended Lectio Divina for the general public. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of Lectio Divina in the 21st century.^[9]

Sister Macrina is a popular author and

is well known for her spiritual writings and retreat ministry.

More about her ministry came be found at this site.

Her books can be ordered here.