"Time's Puzzle"
Poem of the Day - April 24, 2020
Audio Version of Today's Poem
Do you ever find yourself pondering time,
Simply the idea of it -
As in, would it feel like today
If something else would have happened
Or if I was on vacation?
I can't help thinking about it -
Every day has the same amount of minutes
And hours
Yet,
Each
Feels
Different.
Some days drag on
For what seems like
for...ev...er...
And other days pass by
in the blink of an eye -
You turn around, and they're
Gone.
How can this be?
Time, what a confusing puzzle you are...
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2020
Sunday, December 30, 2018
In 2019, Give Me 5
2019 - Holy cow, it feels like we're talking about some futuristic time period. Yet, the calendar flips to it tomorrow at midnight. I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but time sure flies.
I know it's cliche to talk about goals for the upcoming year, but I figure I should put my own in writing anyways...and now is as good a time as any, isn't it? Now, some of these things I am already committed to, but I'm pretty sure they still count, even if I made these goals/commitments within the past few months:
1. Use my talents for the betterment of others --> Run a marathon for charity - I started training a few weeks ago for the annual ACE marathon in the spring. And I've raised about $200 so far (thanks to my amazing friends who have donated!). I convinced my sister to run it with me, and I have friends in the CA area who are planning to come out to cheer and visit, so it's going to be quite a weekend. I just need to buy that plane ticket...
2. Grow in community and share of my time --> Volunteer on a regular basis for the same organization - Recently I've helped out at various organizations and for random activities as the opportunities presented themselves. And those were all quite worthwhile. (My recent favorite was volunteering at Misericordia's bakery during the holiday season with a group from church.) But I started to feel like I was missing something - that I wanted to have a relationship with an organization, the people running it as well as other volunteers. So I connected with Mission OLA - the group of nuns and religious there do an amazing job in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and they are always looking for helping hands. It should be the perfect fit, and I'll hopefully make it over there on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks. And, who knows, I might end up doing another marathon (Indianapolis, perhaps?) to fundraise for them in the fall (see goal #1). I'll keep you posted...
3. Share my passion for Catholic education --> Present at a national conference - I have one of my grad school professors to thank for pushing me on this one. I've always wanted to attend NCEA, and this year it's in Chicago...and I submitted a proposal to present, which was accepted. (And I found out that several friends are also presenting at the conference!) Now that we're just a few months out, it's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm also excited, as my topic is along the lines of my grad school work on getting students engaged in preparing for, participating in, and reflecting on the Catholic Mass. I definitely have some work to do before April.
4. Grow in knowledge and cultivate (new) friendships --> Join a book club - Since grad school finished, I've found myself filling quite a bit of my time with books. I ended up stumbling across many good reads since July, but it tends to be, at least for me, more fruitful when you read in a group and for a purpose. Therefore, in January I plan to join a local Catholic book club at a church nearby. Their first read is a book about Pier Giorgio Frassati - he is a saint I've wanted to learn more about, so this might work out quite nicely!
5. Be brave and open up to others --> Take a chance on the opposite sex - Admittedly, I feel a little funny putting this one in writing, especially since everyone always tells you that love happens when you least expect it and that I've never been particularly skilled in the flirting department, but what the heck. After all, I no longer have grad school and my sister's wedding as excuses, do I? What do I have to lose (except my comfort zone)?
Five goals seems doable, especially considering many of them are already in motion. And I hope that these particular goals will help me become a better person and a more devoted disciple of Christ one day at a time. Cheers to 2019!
I know it's cliche to talk about goals for the upcoming year, but I figure I should put my own in writing anyways...and now is as good a time as any, isn't it? Now, some of these things I am already committed to, but I'm pretty sure they still count, even if I made these goals/commitments within the past few months:
1. Use my talents for the betterment of others --> Run a marathon for charity - I started training a few weeks ago for the annual ACE marathon in the spring. And I've raised about $200 so far (thanks to my amazing friends who have donated!). I convinced my sister to run it with me, and I have friends in the CA area who are planning to come out to cheer and visit, so it's going to be quite a weekend. I just need to buy that plane ticket...
2. Grow in community and share of my time --> Volunteer on a regular basis for the same organization - Recently I've helped out at various organizations and for random activities as the opportunities presented themselves. And those were all quite worthwhile. (My recent favorite was volunteering at Misericordia's bakery during the holiday season with a group from church.) But I started to feel like I was missing something - that I wanted to have a relationship with an organization, the people running it as well as other volunteers. So I connected with Mission OLA - the group of nuns and religious there do an amazing job in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and they are always looking for helping hands. It should be the perfect fit, and I'll hopefully make it over there on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks. And, who knows, I might end up doing another marathon (Indianapolis, perhaps?) to fundraise for them in the fall (see goal #1). I'll keep you posted...
3. Share my passion for Catholic education --> Present at a national conference - I have one of my grad school professors to thank for pushing me on this one. I've always wanted to attend NCEA, and this year it's in Chicago...and I submitted a proposal to present, which was accepted. (And I found out that several friends are also presenting at the conference!) Now that we're just a few months out, it's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm also excited, as my topic is along the lines of my grad school work on getting students engaged in preparing for, participating in, and reflecting on the Catholic Mass. I definitely have some work to do before April.
4. Grow in knowledge and cultivate (new) friendships --> Join a book club - Since grad school finished, I've found myself filling quite a bit of my time with books. I ended up stumbling across many good reads since July, but it tends to be, at least for me, more fruitful when you read in a group and for a purpose. Therefore, in January I plan to join a local Catholic book club at a church nearby. Their first read is a book about Pier Giorgio Frassati - he is a saint I've wanted to learn more about, so this might work out quite nicely!
5. Be brave and open up to others --> Take a chance on the opposite sex - Admittedly, I feel a little funny putting this one in writing, especially since everyone always tells you that love happens when you least expect it and that I've never been particularly skilled in the flirting department, but what the heck. After all, I no longer have grad school and my sister's wedding as excuses, do I? What do I have to lose (except my comfort zone)?
Five goals seems doable, especially considering many of them are already in motion. And I hope that these particular goals will help me become a better person and a more devoted disciple of Christ one day at a time. Cheers to 2019!
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Where does the time go?
Maybe it's just me, but I feel that these two weeks back from Easter break have passed relatively quickly. It could be because my weeks have been filled with plenty of good things that have kept me busy, but even during the school days, time seems to be marching forward.
Again, maybe it's just me.
But, truth be told, the end of the school year will be here before we know it.
Each year seems to go by faster than the last. I don't quite understand - I stood by the window in the stairwell leading up to the fourth floor at school yesterday, and I thought about how many times I've looked out that very window just this year (and then in my whole time here to date)...why does it all become such a blur? Is it possible to slow it down?
I definitely don't have an answer; though, I wish I did. Maybe one day (soon) I'll figure it out.
While I'm pondering (and maybe now you are too), I'll leave you with these photos from the week -->
 |
| RIP Carl Kassell |
 |
| A foggy day in Chicago... |
 |
| Fr. Greg Boyle @ OSP |
 |
| gift from students --> foil / Foyle - get it? It's amusing how funny this still is to the kiddos... |
As the week winds down, I wish you the very best. Hopefully the weekend will pass slowly. (Personally, I'm excited to celebrate my sister's bachelorette this weekend - movies, ice cream, good friends, and pajamas is the way she wants it. Count me in!)
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Understanding Life Backwards
I just started reading a book, Cutting for Stone, and one of the quotes that stood out to me in the prologue was this:"You live life forward, but you understand it backward." In our own lives, how often do we stop and reflect on where we've come from and where we're going?...
An unexpected death, that's what it was. Many of us had no idea this school parent was even ill. This man touched so many lives in his short time on earth, and that was evident at Saturday's service, where hundreds of people gathered in the church to celebrate his life and to pay their respects. His family, kids he coached in baseball, friends of his kids, friends of him and his wife, faculty from the school, and others filled the pews. I was touched to see so many students from our school and alumni who had gone to school with this man's daughter (who is now in high school) - they came to support their friend(s).
Funerals tend to do this - they bring people together and allow all gathered to collectively pause and reflect on both the life of the person who died and their own mortality, not in a morbid way, but in a way that makes one ask, "Am I living in such a way that is for others?" and "Am I living in such a way that, at my funeral, they can say I lived a full life?" (I'm sure there are other questions we should be asking too.)
The priest gave us an image to use to help us think about our time on earth - When we are born, we have an hourglass filled with sand that gets turned over. Only God knows how much sand is in our hourglass. Some people have more, some people have less. But what we do during that time (however long or short) is up to us.
Father's image reminded me of the Mary Oliver quote that says, "Tell me, what will you do with your one wild and precious life?" Let us remember our time on earth is a gift - we don't know its length, but we can live it to the fullest to love and serve one another as well as be catalysts of joy.
An unexpected death, that's what it was. Many of us had no idea this school parent was even ill. This man touched so many lives in his short time on earth, and that was evident at Saturday's service, where hundreds of people gathered in the church to celebrate his life and to pay their respects. His family, kids he coached in baseball, friends of his kids, friends of him and his wife, faculty from the school, and others filled the pews. I was touched to see so many students from our school and alumni who had gone to school with this man's daughter (who is now in high school) - they came to support their friend(s).
Funerals tend to do this - they bring people together and allow all gathered to collectively pause and reflect on both the life of the person who died and their own mortality, not in a morbid way, but in a way that makes one ask, "Am I living in such a way that is for others?" and "Am I living in such a way that, at my funeral, they can say I lived a full life?" (I'm sure there are other questions we should be asking too.)
The priest gave us an image to use to help us think about our time on earth - When we are born, we have an hourglass filled with sand that gets turned over. Only God knows how much sand is in our hourglass. Some people have more, some people have less. But what we do during that time (however long or short) is up to us.
Father's image reminded me of the Mary Oliver quote that says, "Tell me, what will you do with your one wild and precious life?" Let us remember our time on earth is a gift - we don't know its length, but we can live it to the fullest to love and serve one another as well as be catalysts of joy.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Stressing Less
Guess what goes first when the stress, "homework," and activities pile on...
Blogging!
Yes, this past week was surely a stressful one. In fact, heading into the weekend, I was stressing out because there was just way too much to accomplish this weekend (in my mind).
However, with a little help from last year's lesson plans & supplemental activities for my religion classes, I was able to pull together my classroom activities for the week more quickly than if I had needed to invent them from scratch. Report card comments and final grade overrides took a long time, but it wasn't nearly as long as I expected. Young Adult retreat planning also took less time than I thought it would. For Language Arts, I was able to make a solid (cheap) purchase on TPT for Hero's Journey materials that I didn't have to create those activities either.
In fact, things moved along so much better than expected this weekend, I got extra things done, including a skeleton of retreat ideas for the three 4-8th grade retreats coming up in Advent. (Yay!)
God is so good. I have to learn to stress less. It will all get done...eventually. (Or, in this case, it will get done sooner than expected.)
Blogging!
Yes, this past week was surely a stressful one. In fact, heading into the weekend, I was stressing out because there was just way too much to accomplish this weekend (in my mind).
However, with a little help from last year's lesson plans & supplemental activities for my religion classes, I was able to pull together my classroom activities for the week more quickly than if I had needed to invent them from scratch. Report card comments and final grade overrides took a long time, but it wasn't nearly as long as I expected. Young Adult retreat planning also took less time than I thought it would. For Language Arts, I was able to make a solid (cheap) purchase on TPT for Hero's Journey materials that I didn't have to create those activities either.
In fact, things moved along so much better than expected this weekend, I got extra things done, including a skeleton of retreat ideas for the three 4-8th grade retreats coming up in Advent. (Yay!)
God is so good. I have to learn to stress less. It will all get done...eventually. (Or, in this case, it will get done sooner than expected.)
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Taking Time
Once I stopped to think about it, I never quite understood the phrase "making time" - we don't make it at all. We take time, or we regulate or designate time. But make it? No.
This Lent, I'm on a mission to use my time more purposefully - getting up a little earlier, surfing Facebook and Pinterest less, attending prayer opportunities, and more. Two days in, I feel pretty good; though, the getting up early thing may get a little rough. (Last night, I conked out at 8:30!) 38 more days to go...
Meanwhile, on the classroom front, it's been an interesting experience trying to explain the three pillars of Lent to my students: What really is fasting all about? Why do we give alms? What should our prayer look like? It's funny how the kids sometimes get caught up in the technical wording of things, both in the Bible and in the Catechism. (It reminds me a little of the Pharisees.) Sometimes, all I can do is shake my head - you're missing the point! Ah, well, we discuss and move on.
I feel like Lent is made for a lifelong learning process - hence why we get to experience it every year. It's good to know I won't be able to give them all the answers this time around... (Heck, I don't even know all the answers.)
Before I close tonight, I continue to ask for special prayers for my Confirmation students - they receive the Sacrament in the presence of the Bishop and their families this Friday night.
My mom asked me if they're ready...my reply was, "I sure hope so." We've prayed, reviewed, and practiced. The only reason they may respond "and also with you" instead of "and with your Spirit" while being anointed would be because they are nervous.
I hope that Friday night is just the next step in their lifelong faith journey...
This Lent, I'm on a mission to use my time more purposefully - getting up a little earlier, surfing Facebook and Pinterest less, attending prayer opportunities, and more. Two days in, I feel pretty good; though, the getting up early thing may get a little rough. (Last night, I conked out at 8:30!) 38 more days to go...
Meanwhile, on the classroom front, it's been an interesting experience trying to explain the three pillars of Lent to my students: What really is fasting all about? Why do we give alms? What should our prayer look like? It's funny how the kids sometimes get caught up in the technical wording of things, both in the Bible and in the Catechism. (It reminds me a little of the Pharisees.) Sometimes, all I can do is shake my head - you're missing the point! Ah, well, we discuss and move on.
I feel like Lent is made for a lifelong learning process - hence why we get to experience it every year. It's good to know I won't be able to give them all the answers this time around... (Heck, I don't even know all the answers.)
Before I close tonight, I continue to ask for special prayers for my Confirmation students - they receive the Sacrament in the presence of the Bishop and their families this Friday night.
My mom asked me if they're ready...my reply was, "I sure hope so." We've prayed, reviewed, and practiced. The only reason they may respond "and also with you" instead of "and with your Spirit" while being anointed would be because they are nervous.
I hope that Friday night is just the next step in their lifelong faith journey...
Saturday, February 22, 2014
God's Time
God's time.
What do you think of when you hear that term?
...
...
...
(I'll give you a few moments to think about that.)
...
...
...
Does it make you think of things working out on a schedule you cannot control? Perhaps you're thinking about how God's timing is different than human timing? Or, does it make you think about it being the time to let someone go/pass away because it's in God's hands?
While I was driving up the parking garage at the hospital this morning for Ministry of Care (MOC), I was turning that very term, God's time, over and over in my head. Suddenly, I was struck with a thought, a different thought from the ones I listed above:
What if we started thinking of the term "God's time" in terms of every moment of the day belonging to God instead of to us?
There are times when I may be upset that I am spending way too long grading middle school assessments, or I may be frustrated because a meeting runs later than expected. I may think I don't have enough time to spend at the hospital or that I would rather do something else on a weekend than be doing things for school.
But if I stop complaining and, instead, think about this very thought - that all time belongs to God - I suddenly realize it's not my time in the first place. What I consider as my time is actually a gift from God; it doesn't belong to me. It's more like it's on loan. God just wants me to use it.
And when I think that, how can I be focused on any time constraints or frustration. When I think of time as a gift freely given to me, why shouldn't I spend it with others? Why shouldn't I use that time to work through meetings/disagreements with others? Why shouldn't I use that time to better my teaching and prepare my lessons to be the best they can be for the upcoming week?
God's time. That's what it really is. It's a gift...and it's mine...but it's not for me... Instead, it's for me to use for others.
What do you think of when you hear that term?
...
...
...
(I'll give you a few moments to think about that.)
...
...
...
Does it make you think of things working out on a schedule you cannot control? Perhaps you're thinking about how God's timing is different than human timing? Or, does it make you think about it being the time to let someone go/pass away because it's in God's hands?
While I was driving up the parking garage at the hospital this morning for Ministry of Care (MOC), I was turning that very term, God's time, over and over in my head. Suddenly, I was struck with a thought, a different thought from the ones I listed above:
What if we started thinking of the term "God's time" in terms of every moment of the day belonging to God instead of to us?
There are times when I may be upset that I am spending way too long grading middle school assessments, or I may be frustrated because a meeting runs later than expected. I may think I don't have enough time to spend at the hospital or that I would rather do something else on a weekend than be doing things for school.
But if I stop complaining and, instead, think about this very thought - that all time belongs to God - I suddenly realize it's not my time in the first place. What I consider as my time is actually a gift from God; it doesn't belong to me. It's more like it's on loan. God just wants me to use it.
And when I think that, how can I be focused on any time constraints or frustration. When I think of time as a gift freely given to me, why shouldn't I spend it with others? Why shouldn't I use that time to work through meetings/disagreements with others? Why shouldn't I use that time to better my teaching and prepare my lessons to be the best they can be for the upcoming week?
God's time. That's what it really is. It's a gift...and it's mine...but it's not for me... Instead, it's for me to use for others.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
No Time...?
In 7th grade this morning, we were talking about the Resurrection of the Dead and the implications of only having one life...yes, YOLO. After reading a few articles, I shared with them a poem (see below). It made them stop and think - there is time...always...but how are they spending it?
How are you spending your time?
How are you spending your time?
No Time To Pray | |||
by Kathryn Neff Perry
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