How could I not follow this post with a video recommended by Pat Scott on Google+. Maybe there’s something to those circles after all 🙂
I was going to ridicule this…
Evidently it is the National Day of Encouragement.
Yes.
I’m not so invested in this to seek more than the Wikipedia article.
Well, maybe a little bit. I mean, the idea is a good one. It looks like it was meant for young people. I don’t disagree. Certainly, our youth need encouragement. I don’t think anyone is going to disagree with that.
But here’s the thing: we all need encouragement — I’m gonna say — especially adults.
Think about it. We spend all day making decisions, choices, evaluating and re-evaluating those choices…and sometimes we’re acting in total isolation.
It would be nice to get a pat on the back, a “job-well-done”, a little acknowledgement for our efforts.
Don’t read a whine-fest into this…I’m not talking about anything particular in my life; I’m just realizing that there are many opportunities in my day to offer encouragement to someone who ordinarily doesn’t receive it. I’ve been extraordinarily blessed with people close to me, family and friends, who continuously offer this kind of encouragement and support. I’ve also benefitted from some wonderful professionals who’ve taken the time to mentor me and guide me in my career.
I could make a conscious effort to do the same. We all could, and it really doesn’t take some government proclamation to do it.
So go be nice to somebody. Tell them they’re doing a good job. Thank them for their hard work. Offer some of your expertise, without an agenda.
Spread a little love.
Our Lady of Charity, Pray for Us
Hey! There’s a lovely article about Our Lady of Charity by my friend, Pat Gohn, from Among Women Podcast. We’re working on making her an honorary Cuban, but first she’ll have to show me her dance moves.
Still, she’s well on her way with her love of our virgencita. See what she has to say:
She is a woman with maybe a million titles—some majestic, some courtly, some theological, some regional, and some lovingly familial.
From Our Lady of Fatima, to Our Lady of Guadalupe, to Our Lady of Czestochowa, to Our Lady of Akita, to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, to Our Lady of Grace, to Our Lady Star of the Sea, to Mother of Mercy, to Seat of Wisdom, to Gate of Heaven, to Cause of our Joy . . .
Depending on where in the world you live or visit, you probably know one that engenders devotion too. Every version of her name blesses both her and the people who prayerfully call upon her unceasing maternal intercession and protection. No worries, the Blessed Virgin Mary answers to them all!
Today, the Roman Catholic Church honors Mary—who mothers us all—on her birthday, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Meanwhile, important anniversary celebrations in Florida, Cuba, and perhaps elsewhere, honor her today as the Patroness of Cuba, Our Lady of Charity. Her full title in Spanish is La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.
I have long held a devotion to Mary. Thanks to my friendship with a few Cuban-American families, I have recently adopted this title, Our Lady of Charity, into my prayer…read the rest here.
It’s a beautiful piece that recognizes not just a nation’s devotion, but the universality of Mary’s appeal. She is our mother, and draws us close to her heart, where she reveals to us her son, Jesus Christ.
Oh, and get this! Somebody around here just might have done a little translation of it 🙂 You can read that here.