Week 312
Positive post Sunday, February 19, 2023- Week 312.
As we approach Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, I have been reflecting on the origin and foundation of my PPS posts. As some might recall, I started my journey of writing back in 2017 (312 weeks ago!). At that time, I decided to do something positive for Lent rather than give something up like, as a faithful Catholic, I had done for years during Lent in anticipation of the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
My intent then, and still today, was to share positive, faithful, uplifting, supportive, encouraging and meaningful posts that counter all the negativity we see every day. Although we all experience challenges and negativity in our lives, there is still a great deal of goodness and positivity in this world, and with an open heart and mind, we can always find meaning and learn from life’s greatest challenges.
You may have heard the saying, “The more things change the more they stay the same”, which is often used to complain about things we wish would change but don’t. That may be appropriate for the continued proliferation of negative and harmful communications we read and see these days. However, one thing that I’m glad has stayed the same since I first started writing 6 years ago, is God’s unwavering love for each and every one of us. When we look and listen with an open heart and mind, we can see and hear the goodness of the Lord all around us.
That is exactly what I do when I prepare to write my PPS each week. With an open heart and mind, I listen to and observe what’s happening around me and in my life at home, work and in the community (both the good and the bad). Through prayer, I seek understanding and wisdom, and then write about the signs of goodness and “Godness” I see and experience. This reminds me of Carrie Underwood’s song, Jesus, Take the Wheel, or in my case, Jesus, Take the Keyboard, and He has for the past 6 years, guiding me on what has been an amazing journey.
Each day during Lent, I turn to Loyola Press for a thoughtful and reflective reading. Here is a link to Marked with Salvation, A Reflection by Becky Eldredge and part of the 3 Minute Retreat series: Marked with Salvation | Loyola Press.
Here is a link to a very short article on the 4 Ways to Find Good in Every Day by Genice Phillips
4 Ways to Find Good in Every Day
- Look Outside
- Smile and Laughter
- Gratitude
- God is Good
What will you do to share love and kindness this Lenten season?
How do you look and listen for goodness and “Godness” in your daily life?