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A while back I was spending time with one of my friends, and we were sharing all of the gifts and challenges in our lives.
As I shared an experience I was going through, and the process by which I was transmuting that difficulty into strength, he shared with me a visual metaphor that came to him about shredding muscle.
That really resonated with me when thinking about how to truly transform our lives.
In an oversimplified nutshell, the way to grow physical muscles is this:
- Intensely exercising them to the point of trauma.
- Once the muscle breaks, the body heals the break.
- In healing the break, the body develops new muscle which is greater than what was previously there.
Growing spiritual muscles is basically the same.
Step 1:
Intensely exercise our skills of self-awareness to the point of seeing the limiting beliefs, painful stories, and traumas that are holding us back.
Step 2:
Once those stories and limiting beliefs 'break,' use the powers of Presence and Truth to heal the break.
Step 3:
Notice how our spiritual self develops a greater capacity to handle future situations, including the same adversities which we had to 'break' in the first place.
The alternative to growing muscles isn't pretty...
A lot of people say they want bigger physical muscles, but aren't willing to do the painful work to -break- their existing muscles and create room for something new.
With spiritual muscles, again, it's exactly the same.
Most people want bigger, better, more abundant lives. But they aren't willing to do the serious inner inquiry to -break- their existing limiting beliefs and painful stories to create room for Presence to fill them up with the gifts of true transformation.
It's reasonable. We are instinctively pleasure-seeking-pain-avoiding creatures. Comfort is what we seek. Most of us do not want to delve deep into our pain and be with it with Presence and Truth. Most of us just want to be rid of the pain without understanding it. The thing is, understanding our pain through Presence is what actually releases it.
Unless we're willing to break our spiritual muscles, at best, comfort is all we'll really get.
And I don't know about you...
But when given the choice between comfort and a truly incredible and great life...
I'm happy to shred the spiritual muscles of comfort knowing that the following growth will be beautiful and wonderful beyond my wildest imagination.
God Bless you!
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Thought for the Week
A very nice message on a balloon which was flying high up into the sky:- "It is Not What's Outside, But; What's Inside, That Takes You To The TOP..."
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i is for Interdependence
From The i in Team
By John J. Murphy and Michael McMillan
One of our favorite exercises in team-building workshops is a simulated "survival" activity. We begin by having participants complete a paper and pencil instrument independently, ranking fifteen items in terms of their importance to surviving a crisis event (e.g. a crash landing in unknown territory like a desert, subarctic, or jungle region). The idea of the exercise is to examine how people make decisions, first individually and then as a team. Once everyone has completed ranking the items independently, we form teams and have them repeat the exercise using an interdependent, consensus process. In both cases, the participants select their items based on limited information and assumptions. It becomes quite clear that flawed assumptions can be disastrous in the exercise, just like in real life.
An interesting result of this simulation is that the teams consistently outperform their own average individual scores. In fact, most teams survive (according to a survival expert's well-researched ranking), while most individuals do not. Why is this? What is the secret? It is clearly more than coincidence.
The answer is interdependent thinking-how can we help one another help one another? How can I help you help me? Where is the creative, win-win solution?
One of the most powerful creative problem-solving techniques we know is to find at least three options for each problem. It is simply too easy for someone to say, "Don't come to me with a problem without a solution." We all hear this from time to time. The wise leader suggests, "Don't come to me with a problem without at least three solutions!"
Why is this important? Because when we explore additional options with an open mind, new insights appear. We may have originally assumed that option A would be best. By searching for an option B, and C, we are forced to think beyond the first "right" answer. This approach also helps teams break free of gridlock and impasse over option A or B. If we can't agree or come to consensus, let's look further. There are always alternatives.
Now the question becomes, which option are we likely to go with, A, B or C? We often ask this question in workshops and we regularly get a range of answers from A to C. The more common reality is option D, an option that was not even listed as a choice! When teams brainstorm multiple options to a problem, it is amazing how often the ideal solution is "none of the above" or "all of the above" in some hybrid fashion. Either way, this powerful team-building technique reminds us that we are better off focusing on interests and not positions. Interests are what we generally all have in common (like survival). Positions are conclusions we have made (most often based on assumptions) on how best to get there. Interdependent thinking reminds us to think we-opically and find solutions that are win-win for all. It does us little good to solve one problem and create two or three more problems in the process. High-performing teams use interdependent systems-thinking to unite cross-functionally, align with a shared vision and unite as one. Look carefully at great teams in action. You will see another i in play. It is called interdependence. |
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 Laughter the best medicine
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will no t make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables! So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit.
Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride' | |
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 Devotion of the Three Hail Mary's
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
On the afternoon of March 9, 2014 my husband suddenly had a paralytic attack/stroke. His left arm, leg and mouth were badly affected. We immediately took him to the hospital. I began to pray the 3 Hail Marys and begged Our Lady's help. The doctor gave him an injection and by late that night his leg and mouth were completely cured. After treatment, physiotherapy and prayers his left arm is much better. Thank you Mother Mary for the wonderful miracle. Cynthia Gomez, NY Thank you dear Mary Help of Christians for protecting my daughter from an accident through the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Melliza, NH Our long delayed but sincere thanks to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady for granting us a big favor five years ago. Sylvester, VA |
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
mckennasdb@yahoo.com.
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