A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships,

So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world,

So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen.

Work

How about instead of a facebook status that says:
"I want it to be 5pm already so this work day can be over."

Let's post something like this:
"I am extremely grateful for having a job and a steady paycheck during these tough economic times because there are people out there getting laid off, struggling to make ends meet, and will give anything to be able to work 9-5."

Smartphones

I'm not sure why I like my Blackberry more than other smartphones. It doesn't even have as much free/cool apps as other phones. But maybe this is a good thing. This article can tell you why.

Everyday Is A Choice

Top 5 Facebook Status Updates That I Love & Hate At The Same Time

1) "I'm so excited about something and I'm gonna tell everyone how excited I am! But I won't let anyone know what I'm excited about! I just want people to comment on this status and give me attention and ask me what it is!"

- Please delete your status right now.

2) "I just broke up with my significant other and I will let the whole world know that I am so 'happy' and that I don't cry about it every single night! And that I have been occupying myself with this one hobby and I will let everyone know that my hobby is all that matters to me. Nothing else. Not even him/her."

- Is that why you're on facebook 24/7 posting how life is so great now that you're single?

3) TV Show Spoilers who think they're not giving out spoilers but they mother effin are: "I can't believe so and so did that!" "Why was tonight's episode of 'show' so sad?" "I'm glad my pick is safe for next week!"

- Did you know that everyone has a dvr for a reason? So that people can watch shows whenever they want without people ruining it for them!

4) "I am so important I can get you in the list of this 'event' I am part of for 'some person'! Let me know if you want to be on the list because I can totally get you on the list!"

- No one wants to go to your event and no one cares about your person whoever the hell he/she is.

5) "I am so mad at someone I will post a message directed to that particular person but make it seem like I'm just making a statement about horrible people in general."

- Your way of therapy I guess?

I know this is my way of therapy. Lol. I guess I'm guilty of #5. Oh well. I feel better.

...that every day you are choosing either to be grateful or to be disappointed.

The Invitation by Oriah

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your
fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.