Motivational Monday: Mis Padres

Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:

“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.

‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).

“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.

• “Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].

“Homely gestures.

• “Like a blessing before we go to bed [blessing my honorary GODdaughter Maggie at bedtime, as her family does], or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”

*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.

^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^

Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…

Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?

Wong Fu was right on point:

Have you eaten yet? = Priceless ♥love♥

Speaking of family …

Happy 17th Birthday to Rey-Rey, my beloved GODdaughter Reyanna mañana!

Sports Spirit Sunday: DC is for …

Dallas Cowboys * Dissertation Completion –> Championship!

Those are my goals for today:

• hopeful ‘BOYS victory with Tony Romo back as quarterback ~ countdown to end of regulation (game on)
• imperative submission of my final draft for review ~ countdown to my dissertation defense (16 more days!)

Grad Cat / Asia Felina Catalina & Stats Cat / Sweet Annie have been by my side all the way …

Mini Milestones: Feline Friday & Study Saturday

• Thursday marked exactly one month until my well-anticipated graduation with my Doctor of Philosophy!
• The other day, I had my cat in my left hand, and my mouse in my right hand as I worked on my dissertation!
• Yesterday marked my ½way point between starting my faculty defense and my public final reveal (12/8)!

Happy ♥ANNIE-versary♥ to her & yours truly 1 week ago!

Thirsty Thursday: Spiritual DNA & Bootcamp

Our Holy Father has spread joy & hope all around the world leading up to his World Meeting of Families | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

¡Biénvenidos, Padre!

“Don’t walk alone, always be encouraged. Walk with courage. Courage gives you joy, and joy gives you hope. Always move with courage, and always move with hope. Ask GOD for these.” ~ Pope Francis tells young girl in Spanish (this translated message transcends to all of us) … Similarly, Bishop Mike advised me to always look at the †cross† to refresh my soul with new hope, ♥love♥ and trust. | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

As Pope Francis journeys on his well-anticipated trip to America (Philly to D.C. to NYC)

Pope Francis has addressed the *U.S. Congress* | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

our awareness has been raised on how we take care of our environment … and each other.

Pope Francis has connected with my previous home: el Valle | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

We also must consider how we take care of ourselves, in terms of our own †spiritual† health.

Pope Francis lifted up this young man’s spirits for taking care of his family | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

Lately, I’ve reflected on my self-centered tendencies and been praying to be relieved of them in order to put my life in GOD’s hands. This hasn’t been easy. Fortunately, more messages have reminded me to get more †spiritually-fit.

Has this already been part of our genetic disposition* or is this something that we can learn**?

Courtesy United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

*Spiri†ual DNA

M is for …

Maryknoll‘s Father Finch uses a molecule metaphor about our spirituality already being part of our †souls, from the Holy Spirit to uncover GOD’s mysteries. By following these “spiritual† genetic instructions,” we serve and lead faithfully.

en español | Courtesy United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

**Spiri†ual Bootcamp

First, we must make sure that we maintain our religious practices for the mind:

• Go to Confession every month
• Pray the Rosary everyday ~ offering our daily duty to be closer to the Holy Spirit
• Scapular ~ “form me and shape me, Mother, in the form of Your Divine Son” (Marian way of life)

Furthermore, we must stay in good physical shape, so we have capable bodies:

• Calisthenics are effective to take care of our temples ~ this activity is more ideal for our spirit than pop culture (e.g., watching TV, going online)

Courtesy The Lake

Bearing in mind and ♥heart♥ all of the above advice plus last week’s scripture, I realize now more than ever that I’m no better than anyone else in the way that I treat others and ought to be treated; after all, as said every Ash Wednesday:

For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ~ Genesis 3:19

 That being said, let’s follow the Pontiff‘s solid guidance to seek from GOD: courage –> joy –> hope ~ as I’ve studied this leadership practice for several years:

Encourage the ♥Heart♥

Courtesy Maryknoll

Spiritual Sources

• ABC. (2015, Sept. 4). “Pope Francis and the People.” [TV special].
• EWTN. (2014). Women of Grace “Marian Devotion: For Such a Time As This.”*
• Finch, Fr. Raymond J. (2015, Sept. 20). Reflections from Maryknoll.** [Email].

Inspired by Pope Francis | Courtesy Maryknoll

Beauty Tuesday: Spa Days

Happy Belated Dr. MLK Jr. Day!

Tomorrow, my spring semester starts for the speech class that I teach. For the week and-a-half prior, I had my simple spa days:

• got my “hair did” by Geana

Cornrow Care: Bandanas & scarves + dry shampoo ~ including this one from my Birthday/B2S Birchbox and from my fave raves ~ come in handy for my braided hair and Asia!

Mo’ Cornrow Main(tenance) for my Mane: Annie backs me on more bandanas & scarves!

• got my skin care* on

S is for … ☼Sunday☼ Skin Care/Face Mask Selfie ~ Clean in 2015 * NO Makeup * Bare Face * I Woke Up Like This … It also stood for Superbowl-bound ~ until my *DALLAS COWBOYS* were defeated

• got my massage from Lisa
• gave myself a mani-pedi

* Another acne treatment:

Toothpaste!

Both mi comadre y mi amigo suggested this skin care mode for me ~ so I noticed the effectiveness when I spot-treat! When I compared ingredients between my toothpaste and my astringent, it made sense:

Benzoic Acid!

Well, we all need to make time out of our busy schedules to take care of ourselves! In the midst of serving my Church, working on my dissertation, teaching and tutoring, photographing, I must be mindful of my own maintenance in order to keep up my mood and momentum plus stay effective.

CHEERS to ♣Spring♣ 2015!