Tuesday, November 27, 2012
An Imperfect Insight: Letting go of concerns - a critical activity.
An Imperfect Insight: Letting go of concerns - a critical activity.: As I sat in Mass on Sunday morning at Our Lady of Grace in Parkton, MD, the priest was discussing the concerns that we have in life. He had...
Letting go of concerns - a critical activity.
As I sat in Mass on Sunday morning at Our Lady of Grace in Parkton, MD, the priest was discussing the concerns that we have in life. He had attended the blessing of the hounds at St. James School and was discussing how people who were attending seemed to have set aside all cares while at the event. It struck me that maybe that was the same reason that I always liked Thanksgiving.
Unlike other holidays, where there always seems to be pressure to find the right gift, be at all the holiday parties, stay up to watch the ball drop, or abstain from certain foods. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, it does place additional strain on people. These concerns weigh on them every year. At thanksgiving, the goal is usually to eat lots of food, enjoy the company of friends, watch some football or play it, and then eat some more. This places little concern on people outside of cooking and cleaning the dishes - although I have found cooking the turkey and making the stuffing very relaxing.
I can fondly remember coming home from Hamilton College know that while I only had a few days at Thanksgiving break, I also had little else to do. Hanging out with family and high school friends were both easy to do and very familiar. It was a very relaxing time, with little concern. Even today, the kids had no homework, no place they had to be and little to do but relax and enjoy family and friends. It was a great four day weekend.
While sitting in church, I also remembered how relaxing I always found the time in church. It was another great time to forget about certain concerns and just relax and listen to the readings, homilies and sing. Singing in church was always very soothing and something I greatly enjoyed. I think that was why I attended so frequently in college, it was a great release and escape from all exterior concerns that seemed to take over some times. It was great to be able to set that aside, focus on something that was both healing and comforting.
I think we all need to find ways to let go of those concerns we carry with us every day. The weigh on us and make it that much harder to see through the clutter to focus on what is really important. As I look back on this Thanksgiving holiday, I am thankful for the calm and the chance to let go of those concerns for a while and truly enjoy time with family and friends. I hope that each of you were able to do the same thing, especially as the stress of the end of the year approaches where we always have to much to do and not enough time to do it. Try to find time to set those concerns aside, however you are able to do that - may it be church, a walk, some meditation or some other means. This will help you better enjoy the upcoming holidays. So give thanks and be well.
Unlike other holidays, where there always seems to be pressure to find the right gift, be at all the holiday parties, stay up to watch the ball drop, or abstain from certain foods. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, it does place additional strain on people. These concerns weigh on them every year. At thanksgiving, the goal is usually to eat lots of food, enjoy the company of friends, watch some football or play it, and then eat some more. This places little concern on people outside of cooking and cleaning the dishes - although I have found cooking the turkey and making the stuffing very relaxing.
I can fondly remember coming home from Hamilton College know that while I only had a few days at Thanksgiving break, I also had little else to do. Hanging out with family and high school friends were both easy to do and very familiar. It was a very relaxing time, with little concern. Even today, the kids had no homework, no place they had to be and little to do but relax and enjoy family and friends. It was a great four day weekend.
While sitting in church, I also remembered how relaxing I always found the time in church. It was another great time to forget about certain concerns and just relax and listen to the readings, homilies and sing. Singing in church was always very soothing and something I greatly enjoyed. I think that was why I attended so frequently in college, it was a great release and escape from all exterior concerns that seemed to take over some times. It was great to be able to set that aside, focus on something that was both healing and comforting.
I think we all need to find ways to let go of those concerns we carry with us every day. The weigh on us and make it that much harder to see through the clutter to focus on what is really important. As I look back on this Thanksgiving holiday, I am thankful for the calm and the chance to let go of those concerns for a while and truly enjoy time with family and friends. I hope that each of you were able to do the same thing, especially as the stress of the end of the year approaches where we always have to much to do and not enough time to do it. Try to find time to set those concerns aside, however you are able to do that - may it be church, a walk, some meditation or some other means. This will help you better enjoy the upcoming holidays. So give thanks and be well.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
An Imperfect Insight: Chemicals in our Lives
An Imperfect Insight: Chemicals in our Lives: This past weekend I had the pleasure to watch my girls participate in the Hereford High School production of "These Shining Lives" . It was...
Chemicals in our Lives
This past weekend I had the pleasure to watch my girls participate in the Hereford High School production of "These Shining Lives". It was a great play and very well done. It tells the sad story of women who worked in a factory in the 1920's painting watches with radium that eventually lead to their illness and ultimate death. The company knew of the danger they put these women in, but did nothing to help them. Ultimately, their suffering changed the laws for factory workers. The play told the story of how chemicals used by companies can be awful for those who come in contact with it.
Recently, I got involved with a great company that manufactures products that we use every day that do not use chemicals and do not test on animals. Melaleuca (www.Melaleuca.com) provides more concentrated products that are comparably priced to normal department or grocery store products. Instead of spending money on advertising, Melaleuca uses better ingredients and rewards its marketing executives for introducing people to the products and shopping with the company. It has really made me think about what we put in and on our bodies and what we use in our homes. Could the chemicals in cleaning products, shampoo's, detergent and lotions and make-up cause similar problems as the women faced in the play.
While I don't read every label, I feel better about what I am getting from Melaleuca than what is in a store. I really started thinking about it as I was cleaning the house and needed to clean the stove. Cleaning the stove always includes gloves, masks, fumes and the need to ventilate the kitchen. With my new found appreciation for not wanting to put myself and family up to those issues, I decided to try and use some Melaleuca product to clean it.
It had probably been a year or so since the stove had been cleaned, it was in need of cleaning. So I got started using a product that was basically for cleaning counter tops, not stoves. In a little more than 25 minutes the stove was in much better condition. There were a few spots that I could not get out, but there were no fumes, I did not wear gloves or a mask and there was no reason to ventilate the room. I was throughly impressed and thankful that I decided to try it and not by the chemically filled products most people use. It made me feel that much better about my decision to start using Melaleuca products. I highly suggest anyone who has a concern about what is in the products we use to check out their research and information.
The girl's play reminded me of the dangers we face if we are not careful of what we use. Clearly today's products are not as deadly as Radium, but they can be harmful just the same. That is why many carry safety warnings, you won't find those on Melaleuca products. Take the time to look into alternatives. I would be happy to share more about my Melaleuca experience if you would like, just ask. Hopefully we can avoid some of the future risks by being more informed.
Recently, I got involved with a great company that manufactures products that we use every day that do not use chemicals and do not test on animals. Melaleuca (www.Melaleuca.com) provides more concentrated products that are comparably priced to normal department or grocery store products. Instead of spending money on advertising, Melaleuca uses better ingredients and rewards its marketing executives for introducing people to the products and shopping with the company. It has really made me think about what we put in and on our bodies and what we use in our homes. Could the chemicals in cleaning products, shampoo's, detergent and lotions and make-up cause similar problems as the women faced in the play.
While I don't read every label, I feel better about what I am getting from Melaleuca than what is in a store. I really started thinking about it as I was cleaning the house and needed to clean the stove. Cleaning the stove always includes gloves, masks, fumes and the need to ventilate the kitchen. With my new found appreciation for not wanting to put myself and family up to those issues, I decided to try and use some Melaleuca product to clean it.
It had probably been a year or so since the stove had been cleaned, it was in need of cleaning. So I got started using a product that was basically for cleaning counter tops, not stoves. In a little more than 25 minutes the stove was in much better condition. There were a few spots that I could not get out, but there were no fumes, I did not wear gloves or a mask and there was no reason to ventilate the room. I was throughly impressed and thankful that I decided to try it and not by the chemically filled products most people use. It made me feel that much better about my decision to start using Melaleuca products. I highly suggest anyone who has a concern about what is in the products we use to check out their research and information.
The girl's play reminded me of the dangers we face if we are not careful of what we use. Clearly today's products are not as deadly as Radium, but they can be harmful just the same. That is why many carry safety warnings, you won't find those on Melaleuca products. Take the time to look into alternatives. I would be happy to share more about my Melaleuca experience if you would like, just ask. Hopefully we can avoid some of the future risks by being more informed.
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