Something profound or NOT!

I've taken on this title: Spiritual Director. Often it sounds so important and meaningful and most definitely something to live up to. And in attempting to live up to the name, I am called to live life in a higher order, seeing Truth where others see pain and suffering, seeing potential and possibility where others see limitations and failure. I'm not bad at it and some would say that I'm even pretty good.
HERE COMES THE BUTT(yes two t's)
Sometimes the best I can do is get up in the morning shake off my previous day, laugh at myself and start again.
I have to tell you that life without a sense of humor, life can have a very  limiting experience. Thank God I do not take myself too seriously. Thank God I have learned that I can survive failing to get back up without too many bumps and bruises and than try all over again. Thank God I am no longer afraid of failing because I know that that fear is what scares most people away from trying. And truth be told, the fear of failing is worse than the failing itself.
I think my close friends and family members have probably been watching me for years now, shaking their heads, and wondering: What the &%$@? All I can say is, I hope they had a good laugh.
Yes, I do get up again, try again and risk failure ALL THE TIME. I would like to be a lot better at many things; but it is what it is and I am what I am. Here, naked, (metaphorically), available and often completely oblivious - hence - needing a great sense of humor.
May you laugh at yourself this holiday season, may your heart open wide, remain open and find lots and lots of room for lots and lots of love but mostly may you Laugh Out Loud at yourself at good times and tough times.
Peace

I love TEENAGERS!@&%

I love teenagers. I do, I really do, I love my teenager. I love the mood swings, the dirty looks. I love that he really does always know more than I do. I love being there for him whenever I possibly can and changing my schedule to be in service to him, he’s my son after all. And then I love being able to practice non-attachment as he show’s me that I need to give without any strings. Of course I shouldn’t expect some extra cooperation or mutual support, that would be manipulative on my part – wouldn’t it.


If it wasn’t for having a teenager or even just being a mother to any age child, I might make the mistake and think that I actually deserved some FUN and FREE TIME. It is so good to have that little reminder living in my home to keep me straight. And god knows without being a mom, I might think too highly of myself as I attempt to embrace my role as Spiritual Director of an active, growing, vibrant community. Without being a mom, I might actually attempt to solidify more of my dreams and visions and who knows what would happen if I was able to embrace a greater experience of success. That would take time away from car pooling and shopping for that new shirt before a party or running out to get a gift for that party that I didn’t know was scheduled.

So I am grateful for my son keeping me grounded and available to a side of God and spiritual practice that can only be found as a single mom of a teenage boy. Yes, between this teenager and my other two sons, my skills for being authentic are always being honed and refined and just to think I don’t even have to pay for a therapist or a coach to enjoy the fruits of this task.

Have I earned my way into heaven YET? Love your kids because they make you strong and their love truly is fierce, even when it looks a little funky.