People whose outward appearance displays joy and welcome… because we’ve had a conversion of heart where we are exuding what we feel/experience internally — more joy and a more welcoming disposition.

Where certitude is like that most expensive wine on the menu. You trust that it exists in the cellar but you imbibe on other good choices that are more affordable for those at the table? I think a better world would have the same people but employing less certitude especially in the proportions we tend to use it in, especially as relates to our opinions on what is appropriate or justice for the allocation of time, resources, and relationships.

I have been excessively worrying lately, worrying about “issues” or “problems” and anticipating the other shoe to drop as it were both with items at home and at work.

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (MT 6:34)

I need to shift from hearing and reading this to actually believing and actualizing it. Gratefulness is crowded out by worry and concern. I need to be grateful for what I have no matter how flawed and finite and I cannot do that unless I shift from mind-racing and worry.

In new ways, recently, I have discovered just how great a gift solitude is. However, I have also learned that I need to better incorporate it into life without making an idol of it or bastardizing it. That is, I cannot crave solitude like an addict may crave their substance of choice, I cannot turn the good of solitude into a negative by way of escapism (avoiding responsibilities and in person interactions). It’s a very good gift, just like free-will… and I am learning to better appreciate it and not to misuse it.

Its’ too bad that the poet Malcolm Guite has labeled St. Peter the, “impulsive master of misunderstanding,” because that’s a good descriptor of myself (and a clever way to explain Simon Peter).

I react, usually verbally, instantaneously. Beyond pausing and holding unto my thoughts/comments for awhile, if I do speak I think asking the question — calmly — “can you help me understand ____?” would be productive. It could be, could you help me understand why you’re so upset, why this is so important, why you are telling me, et cetera.

I am unsure if “what kindles fire” in me is synonymous with, what “makes me feel most alive,” or that which I know is good to give me energy and keep me on track.

Alone time, spiritual reading, a great conversation, feeling useful, smiles from the kids. Again unsure if this is to be specific pieces of kindling or a meta-analysis. Those items I listed would be a good but incomplete list of “that which gives me hope” and having hope or a belief for a good tomorrow kindles my fire.

Is that not the difference between “weather” and “climate” or the difference between a fickle feeling and an innate character trait?

One tends to “receive” or “do” feelings based upon external factors: actions done to us, words said to us. One tends to “be” based on internal factors, no?

Perhaps a false dichotomy and/or not the best metaphor but in the Christian tradition would this question not be a way to meditate on the story of Martha (doing/keeping busy busy Christ came) and Mary (sitting, listening, and being, because Christ came)?

I have never experienced more stress related to work than I have right now/over the past few months. There have been many deaths in the family over the past two months. The presence and listening ears of my wife are what most keep me from, in the words of Rumi, living on the lip of insanity. Also, she has no idea she’s being supportive but my five-year-old-daughter has been a lot more affectionate and randomly calls me the, “best daddy ever,” which is demonstrably false but super sweet and sustaining.