Letting Go... The Franciscan Challenge

Change is Coming: How Will We Respond?

The month of October should be called Super October. Why do you ask? Because first, there are many powerful saints that we celebrate throughout the month:

St. Therese of Lisieux- October 1
The Holy Guardian Angels– October 2
St. Francis of Assisi- October 4
Respect Life Sunday- October 6
Our Lady of the Rosary– October 7
St. Teresa of Avila– October 15
St. Margaret Mary– October 16
St. Luke- October 18
St. John Paul II– October 22
St. Simon and Jude– October 28

In fact, the entire month is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and it is a month of transformations! It gets darker earlier in the evening and stays dark longer in the morning. It will go from sweater weather to jacket weather quickly. The leaves change color and lose their leaves. What an example Mother Nature is to us! Its environment changes drastically! Just how often, when we must change our way of doing something, do we moan and groan and drag our feet? Do you hear nature complaining? As the leaves change colors and drop off the trees, they swirl and dance and celebrate what is theirs to do. They believe in the Resurrection, for they will come alive again in spring with new life. How do we react to change or to what God may be asking us to do? Yes, it is that old “letting go” thing. We can let go and let God gently guide our life or hang on and often be miserable! Remember that God does not make us miserable, we do it to ourselves. Our God is a loving God who showers us with the blessings and graces that we need to change into who God wants us to be. We, like Mary, our mother must say “Yes, your will be done, in and through me.” Enjoy this formidable and inspiring month!                                                                                 

Overcoming Feelings of Jealousy and Envy

Recognizing that you are experiencing feelings of jealousy and envy is a beginning to do something about it. Our culture makes idols of success, possessions and wealth. If we have these, we will be happy. Not necessarily true. There are many successful and wealthy people but they are some of the most unhappy people in the world, not because they are successful or wealthy but because they make idols of these things. I have learned that the main causes of jealousy and envy are a poor self-image and a lack of gratitude.

People who have a poor self-image look to success and wealth and possessions to make them feel better about themselves. They want others to see how successful they are. Unfortunately, people are never satisfied. There is always the desire to want more. When is it enough? Our self worth comes from the God who created us, not what we own or possess.

A lack of gratitude makes us focus on what we do not have, rather than on what we do have. When we are grateful, we focus on the blessings in our own lives. The glass is half full rather than half empty. When we appreciate and express gratitude, our life glows brighter and we are showered with more blessings and I believe we are a lot happier.

What steps can you take toward taming your jealousy and envy? First, begin a gratitude journal. Each day write down three things, people, situations, etc. that you are grateful for. It can be as simple as someone giving you a smile or a driver letting you in their lane. Second, focus on relationships not things. Bring kindness and generosity to these relationships. Just because others may have more or seem more successful does not take away from your value as a person. And you will find that relationships are more fulfilling and lasting than possessions and success.

Photo by Obie Fernandez on Unsplash

Becoming Free of a Grudge

One way of becoming free of a grudge seems so simple, but is actually not that easy:

* Reflect on who is actually getting hurt from the grudge? Not the person against whom you are holding a grudge, but you are! The feeling and scene plays and replays in your mind and you suffer! Why are you doing this to yourself? What benefit are you receiving?

* If you can go deeper, try to figure out why this feeling has attached itself to you. The nature of the grudge and understanding its dynamics are very important to be free of such unhealthy feeling. Was your self-image hurt? If so, do you really value that person's opinion that much? If it was a betrayal, seek your true friends and value them. Don't waste your time nor your energy with people who don't understand what it means to be a friend.

* Practice compassion with all persons. Before you know it, it will become a good "habit" which will make you happier, the people who you touch and the whole world a little better!