Good Intentions are worth a box of coal

I have a very good friend that currently in formation of becoming a Franciscan sister. I love the Franciscans! In my opinion, they live life in real “East meets West” sort of way. They appear to experience and “taste” each moment as if it were the last, fully and whole-heartedly, making every second count. For years I have been trying get to this space, but I have been so “busy” moving from point A to point B that I rarely stop to enjoy the moments that really count. As my friend travels on her journey, she inspires me to continue upon my own.

I told her at dinner the other night that I live my life with “good intentions.” You know what, good intentions are fine if they are acted upon but in my life they have been worth about as much as a box of coal. Living in the Moment entails accepting and experiencing both elements in life, positive and negative. This acceptance of life’s duality reaps great benefits through this understanding.

I think about doing things all the time, whether it is making a phone call to a friend, planning a charity event, taking the kids skiing, etc. I never let myself “get-a-round-to-it”. I shared with her that I have been planning to call her and arrange a mini-retreat at the beautiful 300-acre Oldenburg facility for several years now but just haven’t made the time. She inspired me to start making the time to act on the things that I have been “intending to do”. So, I took the kids skiing! So, we have planned a week-end retreat!

I am going to stop living my life with “good intentions” and begin acting in life as a full participant. I will practice being present and focus on all that is created in each moment until I became much more aware of the activities around me, and I have learned how to be more attentive to, and appreciative for, what life has given me. So point me in the right direction because I'm finally headed down the road.

(Personal photo from the Camino de Santiago)