We all have dreams of accomplishing something important in life but the eternal question that remains unanswered is, “What is a life that is truly well lived?” When we speak of “winning” what do we really mean? How do we find that often illusive balance that allows us to shine in our work world but also to be a good and loving individual in our personal world?
I struggle with such questions. As a society we are often quick to honor the man or woman who excels in a particular career while underestimating the worth of those who lead quiet but incredibly compassionate lives. Who is of more worth to society, the person who is the CEO of a major company or the daughter whose time is spent laundering her mother’s soiled clothing, purchasing her mom’s favorite foods, and visiting her aging parent everyday at the nursing home? Perhaps there is no fair way to compare people but the elephant that always seems to be in the room is that our society in general does just that. We are often in awe of those who have tangible accomplishments of title and wealth but undervalue the enormous contributions of stay at home moms, caretakers, and volunteers. We bow to the expertise of a college professor but may question the knowledge of an elementary school teacher. We somehow tend to rank the importance of each of the contributions to the betterment of the world in ways that too often undervalue some incredibly remarkable people and professions. Continue reading “Winning”
They say that the little things in life are all that matter, but what are those little things? For me they always occur in a fleeting moment that surprises me and takes my breath away. Such memories are rarely planned, they just happen and become forever unforgettable. There are countless ways that someone or something can make life special and most of them don’t cost much, if anything. 
Long ago when I was still a student at Mt. Carmel High School a priest took a group of us outside on a pleasant spring day. As we sat on a set of bleachers he spoke of a native American idiom, “Walk a mile in my shoes.” He wanted us to consider the other person’s point of view before drawing conclusions and judging. He hoped to develop a sense of empathy in us by setting forth various scenarios and asking us how we thought we would react if confronted with similar situations. What we learned on that day is that we each view life just a bit differently depending on our backgrounds and personalities. Still we share certain commonalities as humans regardless of where we may live. Every human being seeks love, understanding, security, and comfort. We may not have much in common with people from other cultures but when stripped of our economic and superficial differences we all experience hunger, pain, and fear. 
I believe in miracles and the power of prayer for I have seen wondrous things. Just last week I smiled at photos of a little boy named Holden in his football uniform and at his kitchen table preparing for the beginning of the school year. It wasn’t that long ago that hundreds of us were storming the heavens on behalf of Holden and his family. When he was only an infant he was diagnosed with leukemia. He spent much of his early life undergoing tests and treatments in Texas Children’s Hospital. His milestones were marked by chemotherapy and painful procedures. Somehow he kept a delightful smile on his face and his family maintained a remarkable strength and faith that in spite of all of their trials, everything would one day turn out well. His grandmother called him Holdie Pants and often declared that she loved him to the moon and back. His first friends were other very sick children, some of whom did not make it. Weeks and months and years went by and the hope for Holden continued unabated. One glorious day the doctors declared that his leukemia was in remission. A reminder of just how sick he was surfaces each time he must regularly undergo tests to determine if his cancer has returned. So far he has done well. Now he appears to be just a very normal little boy but those of us who know him realize that he is a heavenly miracle standing in front of us. 
Returning home from vacation is always bittersweet, more so when the trip was magical. They say that there is no place like home and to a certain extent that is true. I always sleep best in my own bed and I enjoy resuming my familiar routine and yet ending a vacation is akin to the day after Christmas. All of the joy and anticipation related to the journey dissolves into piles of dirty laundry to be cleaned and chores to be done. Somehow those first few days after a glorious sojourn are so disappointing, especially for those unfortunate souls who must return to work. 
All It Takes Is A Little Love 