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].
“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?
Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerfulsoon-to-befirst-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!
When my cohort members and I were admitted into our doctoral program, conscientiousness* happened to be one of the personality traits for which we tested and that we studied in our leadership theories literature. It comes from the (1b) Big Five psychometric assessment that uses the “OCEAN” acronym:
Openness (or Originality)
*Conscientiousness (or Consolidation)
Extroverion ~ I’ve also consistently tested high for this in the (2) Myers-Briggs (as an ENFJ for Extraversion • Intuition • Feeling • Judging) both when I took it as a psych minor for my undergrad and again in doc school
Agreeableness (or Accommodation)
Neuroticism (or Emotional Instability) ~ the reverse of this attribute as leaders and doc students is ideal to deal
According to the (1a) instrument provided by my doctoral degree program, someone who is conscientious is “achievement”-oriented and “self-disciplined” ~ so this implies that conscientiousness involves intentions (definitely something for which I strive).
Currently, my conscientiousness has stuck with me through school ~ as both a scholar and an educator!
If it (Quality magazine) won’t speak to me, it won’t speak to them.
~ Ms. Prescott, Editor-in-Chief
D for
Down * Dreary * Dull * Depressing * Dismal and * Deadly
Banish the Black * Burn the Blue * Bury the Beige
Think pink * Red is dead * Blue is through * Green‘s obscene * Brown’s too boo
Now I know that my advisor wasn’t trying to flatter me, but her acknowledgment meant encouragement … of the ♥heart.
I challenge you fellow servants and leaders to consider which personality traits that you have in order to enhance your strengths and improve from your weaknesses!
Oldham, J. M., & Morris, L. B. (1995). The new personality self-portrait: Why you think, work, love, and act the way you do. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Meanwhile, I’ll reflect on the rewards that I’ve reaped from my professional pursuits:
Becca‘s No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake (adopted from Martha Stewart Recipe ~ added honey)
Yesterday, I wrapped up one year of photographing at the hospitals by training my newbie who I interviewed and selected last month to replace me in order to devote more time to my dissertation (on my way to my doctoral degree in 2015) ~ she always smiles and has a sparkling personality, is eager to learn, so I bear confidence that she’s the perfect fit
My new photographer also was fond of these cookies from our hospital bakery: PB * Chocolate Chip * White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
Recently, my college students presented their informative speech, in which they demonstrated a process, and I was impressed by their work
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Demo Speech ~ complete with ingredients!
* An added bonus is that one of my students not only played in last football postseason’s state championship, but he also is delivering a speech as valedictorian (I’ve been proud to have other valedictorians in the past) at their graduation (I also have another from last ☼summer☼ who will speak at her graduation as the student body president)
I couldn’t resist digging in instead of making it keep looking picture perfect! It was perfectly delicious!
Moral of this story: I feel blessed to be surrounded by hard workers!
I was about to have a mini slice of Heaven, but ended up taking more out of my dream pie!
Now that, I can do. Lately, I’ve noticed myself feeling more inclined to stick with working on my studies than leading a social life (I’d leave parties early, cancel outings, etc.) ~ the one interruption from my dissertation would be a welcome one:
to pray, or ♪♫sing♪♫ a ♫♪hymn♫♪ or a ♫♪Psalm♪♫, which pretty much still will be to pray anyway.
Dr. Díaz pointed out that his own research was something that he happily woke up to and fell asleep dreaming about. My AF pilot friend suggested that my Catholic school goal could almost be an obsession, or at least a positive pursuit that consumes my soul ~ my Ph.D. has been my life and the major step toward that ambition, yet it has been a most prayerful part.
Rather than praying for my own wants or needs, I keep seeking †GOD‘s will†
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
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