Day 28: Moderation

For those who live holistically (the person is the perfect harmony of mind, heart and body working together for higher good), guilt is a welcome friend that helps indicate that there is something wrong needing to be resolved. When guilt is rejected as an enemy, the conscience is clouded over or destroyed, and the mind is left to its own authority. The body is a helpless soldier with no recourse but to be forced to do even the most unwise and dangerous things without the conscience’s direction and aid.

Anthony Buono (taken from this article)

Like anything in life, guilt should be taken in light moderation. It’s a hard drink to swallow, but it can definitely give you some perspective. But don’t go binge drinking on guilt, you may have a real long depressing hang over afterwards.

Tags | catholic, Lent 2011, reflection

Day 27: Burden

Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.

Psalm 34:20

It will always, and forever will be an inconvenience to do what is right. But I can’t say I believe in Jesus and not carry the same obligation that He did. So with this, I am forever burdened. But the cross in which He carried, and was nailed to, was also his ticket back to heaven. So with this, I am also forever blessed.

I think I’ll focus on the latter part, to get me through the former.

 

Tags | catholic, Lent 2011, reflection

Day 26: Coach

It seems sometimes that God is a real tough cookie. That He sets the bar so high that in our weakest moments it seems as if they are unrealistic.

Luckily, God isn’t that over-bearing coach who pushes to the point where we want to quit. He simply shows us the way, and allows us to run the drills on our terms.

If you’re a basketball fan, I’m sure you know who Phil Jackson is. He’s one of the best NBA coaches of all time. If you ever watch a Laker game, and they’re hitting a dry run, you’ll notice that Coach Jackson let’s them play through it for the most part. That he doesn’t call a timeout to regroup, but puts his players to the test of finding ways to dig in, get back into the groove, and play championship level basketball that they know they’re capable of. It’s tough to watch, but the players find ways to win.

I think God has a similar “coaching” style. That He let’s me feel the pressure of not being the best person I know I can be. I have my off days, just like Kobe does. But even during those days, Kobe still manages to average 20 points. I have to know, just as the Coach wholeheartedly believes, that I’m still capable of finding a way to give my best.

At the end of the day, what you give is what you get back. I have to give the best of myself in every situation. This is for my well-being, the success is just a byproduct.

 

Tags | catholic, Lent 2011, reflection

Day 25: Spend

If there’s time to complain, there’s time to be grateful.

If there’s time to read up on gossip, there’s time to honor one another.

If there’s time to party, there’s time to pray.

If there’s time to for Facebook, there’s time to read something uplifting.

If there’s time to listen to music, there’s time to be silent.

If there’s time to blog, there’s time to spend with loved ones.

Note To Self: There is time. Always. Spend it wisely.

Tags | catholic, Lent 2011, reflection

Day 24: Paraphrase

“You better check yo self, before you wreck yo self”

Ice Cube

or maybe…

You do it to yourself, you do
And that’s what really hurts
Is that you do it to yourself
Just you, you and no one else
You do it to yourself

Tom Yorke (RadioHead)

or in other words…

People choose drama. Be it the situations they put themselves in, the people they surround themselves with, and the attitudes/emotions/habits that they don’t put in check.

Efren Baria Jr. (read the entry)

getting closer…

…do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.

Jesus (in John 5:14)

Who knew that a rapper, a rock star a geek and a Messiah could agree on something like this.

 

 

 

Tags | catholic, Lent 2011, reflection