A Call for Vulnerability, Part 2 of 3
In part one of our vulnerability series, we discussed what it means to be vulnerable and all of the ways it can add grace into our lives. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, take a look at it here, then hop back over to join the discussion on being vulnerable and how it can impact our interaction with others. In part two, we discuss the most profound form of vulnerability; being open to others and letting our relationships experience the joys and sorrows that come from being available to love!
In romantic relationships, couples experience two strong differing emotions that seem to be at the core of the dilemma of vulnerability: love and pain. While hardship may be part of the equation, vulnerability also stems from love, joy, and acceptance, all of which are essential parts of the human experience. Healthy, intimate relationships are what give our lives happiness, meaning, and purpose. In contrast, social isolation and closing our hearts puts us at risk for psychological and physical issues such as depression and disease. Love is a choice, and like all things in life, it requires courage.
A Call for Vulnerability, Part 1 of 3
Have you ever caught yourself in a moment of utter despair, pain, and loss? What did you do to pull through? Often, when we find ourselves going through difficult times in life, we cling and seek resources to help guide us through. What if I told you the answer to overcoming that hardship is diving deeper into what led you to that suffering in the first place?
We had hoped
St. Louis de Monfort grew up in France with a dad known for having the most “fiery temper in all of Brittany… He was a volcano frequently erupting”
St Louis confessed that his temper was as bad as his father’s. He’s most often remembered as a man with an almost incomparable passion & zeal.
Mainly because of this, and my questionable ability to reign in my own emotions, I have a deep love for this Saint.
I re-read a story this morning about his priestly life that I can’t seem to let go of -
Know thyself through the temperaments
Self-knowledge is a virtue that St. Teresa of Avila highly valued.
“Self-knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it.”
Genuine self-knowledge leads to humility, being truly grounded in who we are as God’s unique son or daughter.
The concept of the four temperaments was first proposed around 350 B.C …
Seasons
What season do you currently find yourself in? Much like the weather, there is a variety of circumstance changes that lead to different outcomes. The many seasons can include a season of waiting, a season of silence, a season of confusion, and a season of answers.
What can we learn from looking at the changing patterns of the earthly seasons compared to our lives?
Radiant faces
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord”
Exodus 34:29
For forty days and forty nights on that mountain, Moses did not eat or drink, proving that man does not live on bread alone.
Do you believe that?
Mother of Fair Love
February 14th - it’s probably the best day of the year. For those of you who are single with zero V-day plans what-so-ever you're probably saying "What is this girl thinking?" ... but please hear me out.
Lost - a story of St. Anthony
When I see the word, “lost” my immediate thought is to St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint for lost items. Did you know that St. Anthony of Padua is also known for finding things that are missing that aren’t material? St. Anthony can be summoned when we are lost on our journey and need to find our way, or when we have lost our sense of self and need the reassurance to feel whole again. How has St. Anthony helped you in your life?
I love thinking about the saints and how real they all are. It is a fantastic thought to think that an average person could achieve the greatness that is so close to our father in heaven. The story of St. Anthony is special and unique.
The Innate Spirituality of Your Career
“Your ordinary contact with God takes place where your fellow men, your yearnings, your work and your affections are. There you have your daily encounter with Christ. It is in the midst of the most material things of the earth that we must sanctify ourselves, serving God and all mankind.” - St. Josemaria Escriva
Getting from here to there
One of the most critical, basic lessons a soldier needs to learn in any basic training is land navigation. What good are the skills of marksmanship, communication, or grenade throwing if you can’t find your way to the enemy?
Every mission has a destination, or an outcome it is seeking to create. Learning how to navigate through the difficult terrain of the mountains of Georgia and the swamps of Florida helped me to understand how to get from point A to point B. These lessons are incredibly valuable as we head into a new year with new goals.
2020 was rough for many of us. The secret though is that 2021 will only be better if YOU make it so. Here’s how you can do that:
How I Navigate Difficult Conversations — And How You Can Too!
The need to have that difficult conversation tends to be pretty heavy and daunting.
We all know the feeling -- it can be an all-consuming experience leading up to it.
Either you’ve offended someone or you’ve been offended.
Maybe there’s some sort of conflict needing to be resolved, or someone has some serious beef for no apparent reason.
The fact that these kinds of conversations weigh on us proves to me just how much value we humans place on communication.
Choose to Hike the Mountain
Isn’t it crazy how different a certain thing can look from a different perspective? Our experience of life is so profoundly based upon not just where we stand, but where we choose to look. As a society, and even as a Church, we have lost our inclination to look for beauty in the world around us. Our planet, our lives, and our reality are all constantly changing. If we don’t start to pay attention, this sweet, short life of ours will just pass us by.
It’s time we become more intentional about the direction of our gaze.
All the advice you’ve been given
You’ve Been Given A Lot of Advice
Everyone wants to give you their two cents - from your academic advisor to your coach to your mom to your great aunt with the 4 cats - everyone is a little too quick to let you know that they know how you feel. They’ve been here before. They were in your shoes once too, but if you do exactly what they did? You’ll be alright.
You’ve been given a lot of advice.
How are you doing, really?
“How are you doing?”
This phrase is my knee-jerk greeting when starting to speak with someone. We greet our friends with a “how are you?” so freely and easily in order to connect, catch up, and begin dialogue. It is our culture’s conversation starter. This question often leads to how work, family, spouse, kids, school, the weather are going. Sometimes, the question leads to how the person really is doing and you share in a special, vulnerable, or celebratory connection.
But when was the last time you asked yourself…How am I REALLY doing?
Be Not Afraid
The week we were leaving, I was scared out of my mind. I tend to get really anxious and worked up, so I went to Adoration to let it all out and pray for protection.
As I was sitting in my parish’s Adoration chapel, I looked up and I saw the words painted behind the monstrance - Be not afraid, follow me. I had seen those words on the wall for years, but on that day it was like they jumped off the wall. I even felt the Lord continue, “Follow me to Poland.”
5 steps to effective evangelization
For two millennia, the Catholic Church has been the missionary church.
The Catholic faith has and will continue to be the only religion whose primary goal is the conversion of souls.
You may be thinking that that is a bold statement.
You’re correct, it is a bold statement.
One that also happens to be true.