The holiday weekend is over, and now things return to normal around here. Actually, this was one of the more enjoyable Thanksgivings for me, as I was hostess. I gladly trade in hours of car-time for feeding the hordes and cleaning up afterwards.

The family who come are a good group of people. We’re fortunate not to have any addicts or severe manics in the bunch, so it’s basically just the normal weirdness and nothing too extreme. I am struck, though, that Unhappiness tends to be a general theme of conversation. There’s the stress of the mothers, the overworked/unfair-treatme nt of the bread-winners, the aunt who tries to win favor by being funny at the expense of others behind their backs, the unbridled material lust of the teenagers as they flip through the newspaper’s weekend advertisements… The Blessing before the meal seemed like the only moment that we stepped outside ourselves to acknowledge the fortune in our lives.

But I am grateful for the Blessing, as we all bowed our head and I got to say the prayer for everyone at the table! So my thankfulness became their thankfulness, my awe at all we’ve been blessed with became their awe, if only for a few minutes. And of course, there was plenty of happy conversation too, as we spoke of group-things like new babies, old relatives long past, of family traditions and growing-up stories. These are the things I love about the holidays.

How is the general mood and outlook of those you spend the holiday with?

I am feeling a little less than inspired today. I think it has to do with the overcast sky and the low temperatures. However, I am a big believer that one creates his or her own experience, so I’m going to leave myself open to something interesting or inspiring happening to me today. I’ll let you know how that works out. How do I find inspiration at the Bi-Lo? A grocery is an endless source of it to the open mind, right? … … …

How do you make it through another ordinary day? Do you simply remind yourself to be grateful for what you have? Do you read inspirational passages from a book (or even The Book)? Do you try to do one indulgent thing for yourself like going out for coffee or stopping buy your favorite store to window shop?

I have been putting away some old belongings, things from my youth, boxes for the basement.  They are in the way of my newer persuits, such as toys for the kids, clothes for the kids, books about spiritual growth and life coaching and parenting.  Away with the romance novels, the hobbies I haven't touched in years. 

I had read a blog, I forget whose now, where she was lamenting the passing of her fun-filled youth (now that she was 20, oh whatever!)  She was planning to get out there and raise a little hell.  Well, good for her, I suppose.  Personally I don't mind putting away some of the "me" things for now, while I am in the role of household leader.  However, I noticed I did not get rid of the old things that used to symbolize Me to me.  I simply moved them out of the way for a while.

I hear many women say that they are no longer themselves once the daily grind of life gets going.  I don't believe that.  Maybe there's just a new definition.  And what's life if not a process of growing and learning and maturing?

Are you sacrificing anything for maturity?  Is it really a sacrifice, or could you make time for it if it was still so important?

There is a small murmur going around in my family regarding the Faith in which I am raising the children.  Although I am Catholic, and am bringing them up accordingly, I do not try to hide the fact that there are "Catholic Issues" that I take issue with, and when my children are old enough and ask, I won't hesitate to share my stance.

That's what all parents do, right?  And hey, I probably won't wait for them to ask.

My good Bible-quoting friends will chomp at the bit to counter, condemn, and correct me.  And that's ok, because I value everyone for their insight and opinion, and am always open to suggestions.  But for me, John said the Truth in his Gospel, that God is Love.  Not "God is about love" or "God loves" but simply that God IS love.  There is no separation of the two.  And yes, like a parent who loves his child, he still will set rules for the benefit of that child and there will be consequences if the rules are not obeyed.

Sure.  But in my heart I know God is Love, so God cannot be about gay-bashing and condemning someone to hell for murdering or abortion or simply never saying that Jesus is their personal savior (not that Catholics say that last thing...) 

So if you don't follow the rule, to become more God-like, to live in Love, the consequence will be to feel separated from God.  There could be nothing worse than to feel separated from our Source. 

For now, as they are so young and couldn't begin to grasp the concept of "lifestyle choices", we'll go to Mass as a family, learn about Jesus, the Chuch, and the Sacraments.  But I remember how political junior high religion classes became.  I won't let my children be taught to hate and judge.  Well, at least not unchallenged.

What is important to you for your children to take from their formal religious teaching?  What will you counter-teach?  When do you think a young mind begins his or her own path to knowing the Holy Spirit?

As I slip into meditation, I start by focusing on my breathing.  I don't try to change it in any way, just notice it.  In...out...in...out.  I know you're supposed to push words and thoughts out of your head, but the best I can do is to just think these two words while I feel my breath.  Next I will imagine the bright light of the Holy Spirit surrounding me like a waterfall of light and sparkles.

For the most part I imagine this light just a super-bright blinding white, but lately I've been playing with colors.  One of my favorite psychics says that green is for health, blue for calm, gold for spirituality, ect.  Other sources, however, will differ in their opinion of what these colors do.

I guess if it's all about making your thought a powerful influence over your physical presence, then it only matters what you feel is the focus of a chosen color.  What colors do you use in meditation?  Do you just imagine this, or do you actually meditate on a certain color pillow or with particuarly colored candles lit?

Finally I have a blog!! I've been meaning to do it for some time.  I read several blogs from several different providers (tried a couple of others without much luck) and now i'm trying tblog.

Am I a Right-is-Right, Moral-voting Conservative? No.  Don't let the title fool you.  Nor am I a liberal who is all talk no money or action.

 I am simply on a path, a journey, a life, doing my best to stay focused and centered in love.  That is extremely hard for me, for now.  In my past life, I was very critical and judgemental.  And by past life I mean about 10 years ago.  I haven't gotten past all of it either, but I'm striving to stay aware and that is a large part of the fight.

The ideas expressed here are likely not originally my own.  I read a good bit, research even, ingest and then I share.  I hope one day to be Spiritually awake enough to have my own thoughts thoughfull enough to give to others for help or advice.  For now, I share what truths I read or what other pschics reveal to me.

Thank you for joining me.