My Olympics, Your Olympics

Olympic Stadium

I love the Olympics and if I had my way, it would be held every year instead of every four years.

We watched the Olympics, enjoyed the events and couldn’t help but be at awe especially with Usain Bolt, the 100 meters record holder. I mean, this guy is a phenomenon. Who amongst us can say that we can run that fast. I certainly can’t. I take longer to put on my make up. I am trying to figure out what I can do in less then a minute. Do you have an idea? I certainly don’t!

We have to marvel, respect what these athletes do. I noticed during their interviews, regardless of what they did, sports they played, their gender, the countries they represented, that most of them at the some point talked about how much hard they had to work, how disciplined they had to be with their regiment, workouts, nutrition, sleep that without these elements, they could not achieve that level of performance or glory, they were incomplete.

Seriously, think about, all of us are athletes, Olympians in own rights. Let’s face it, like it or not, we are consistently competing in the Olympics of life. Who among us can positively say that we have never been through the university of life? It is one evolving game.

One can argue that what we do in our everyday lives, is a lot harder then what these athletes do in their everyday regiment. It is not easy to get through the loss of a loved one, an illness, live with terminal condition, bottle internal demons, deal with job lost, go through divorce and so on. To some individuals, not taking it away from the great athletes, it is harder to go through situations of life then it is to compete. Then again, who hasn’t? Think positive and it should be a breeze, right? At least we hope.

However, it isn’t so easy.

Just like they need a extraordinary discipline, strenuating and consistency with their work out; in order for us to attain the glory that we seek, the ecstasy, fulfillment, happiness which we will one day, we too will have to submit ourselves to a very rigorous regiment of life, get the needed nutrition, not calories or gym but turn sometimes to higher power, the Lord to give us the stability we seek. Some of us govern, exercise our lives, get the rewards and the glory we so deserve spiritually by turning to the Lord or just go by their merry way, hoping for the glory to come without being invited.

Those who attend the house of Lord, whatever your religion, are reminded of that overtime they hear the teaching in regards to life concerns.

It is through whatever your ideology that we are reminded that HE is the bread of life, the bread that gives us the combustive eternal glory we so desire but in order to attain that fuel, we need to allow ourselves to embraced HIS teachings.

Closing Ceremony

As humans, we often run into issues, get discouraged with the direction our lives are taking and believe our resources are just not enough to solve the headaches du’jour: our woes, struggles, weaknesses. Well, issues don’t dissipate, they don’t go away; maybe they will some day, if we are lucky, only after we are dead.

As long as we are alive, we are going to be challenged by something. Our problem is that none of us is going to escape the challenges and suffering that comes with being human. Granted, some will sometimes suffer and struggle more then the others but that only occurs when we over rely on our own strength, wisdom or vitality. However, the longer we live, the more we realize that our strength, smarts and energy are not enough to navigate the drills of life.

“I am done with this nonsense. Please, put me out of my misery”. Distraught words often spoken in times of complete misery but what we don’t realized is that often, we are never alone. The higher power is never far behind. HE is always with us. He never abandon us in our commitment, in our misery. He brings us his presence, understands us, our journey, our struggles, the glory, the nourishment that we seek. He is always available.

We earn our nourishment by appealing to higher power. Praying can be very subjective as some don’t see the use for it and others who do, asserts of it fulfilling their soul.

There are so many ways to pray. Some get the nourishment when they connect honestly to the Lord by sharing their joys, apprehensions, frustrations and doubts, as they believe it broads their horizons, revitalizes them, gives them a spark that they did not have previously. Others get their nourishment by sharing in community. This is how they appeal to higher power by offering their time for better causes.

Often living in the community does not come easy. It is a drag as we search for ways to accommodate, marry our personalities with those of others. We often find ourselves questioning the reasons for being, finding it alarming, crazy while in community of home and work. Yes, it can be but it is how we deal with it that makes us a whole.

We are at peace whenever we become aware that The Creator is driving the bus, he is present, working in the midst of whatever tension, challenges we maybe experiencing, joy we partake with one another, at home, at work, in general; we are fulfilled, stimulated by it.

We need to deepen our constant presence with those living around us. If we aware of what is going, we are able to energize ourselves and shake the craziness that surrounds our lives.

Just like the olympic athletes, all of us are also looking for that glory, and just like they need to prepare themselves to a strict discipline, we need to also do the same that our return will be even far greater. Even if you don’t believe in religion you must admit that the higher power, the Creator,  will bestow that glory upon us but we have to work at it. Just because we are confronted with one hurdle of life, it does not mean we have to kill ourselves over it. The storm shall pass. Look at it from the point of view of a book page. Turn it, next!

Then again, one can also argue that yes they are athletes, they are olympians but not super humans who are immune from the facts of life. They too go through the same. Perhaps, a double punch! Personally, I hit the gym when I experiencing headaches. So, does it make me an olympian?

Sins and Confessions

I was still in diapers when I last paid a visit to a priest to confess.  I was this little and remember spilling my soul to him at the time when everything and anything that was said and told to me, was hastily performed without a grain of salt or challenge.

Today, I am under the creed that anything and everything is questioned, and only executed after careful observation and thought. Meaning, I will talk to God directly if I want my head examined or my soul forgiven instead of an intermediary.

I cannot see nor imagine me kneeling down in front of a priest or in a room at church, and spill my soul to a man. Perhaps, there will be the day when I will run to a priest searching for forgiveness but I am not there yet and if that ever happen, I will need to first define what I consider to be sin.

So in view of that I thought about a “what if” perfect confession scenario. What if I was ambushed by a bunch of nuns and taken to a convent, led to the steps of a tree, blindfolded and told to open my eyes only to see a priest in front of me. How would I react? How would the conversation go? I can just imagine how the memorable exchange would be.

Priest – Hello there how are you?
Me – Oh, wow, hello!
Priest – How can I help you?
Me – How can you help me?!
Priest – Yeah, how can I help you?!
Me – How can you help me?! What do you want to know?!
Priest – Nothing, you should tell me.
Me – Honestly, I have no idea, I have nothing to confess.
Priest – Hum…
Me – No sin, I have been good. Do you?
(Perhaps, I really need help.  I am still trying to figure out how he is going to help me )
Priest – I understand that.
Me – Ok, thank you. Can I go now?!
Priest – So, how was your day?
(Lord, he is still insisting.)
Me – Mine?! Fine and yours?
Priest – You are here…
Me – I am listening but honestly, I am good!
Priest – Let’s enjoy and experience the life of Christ and..
Me – I spoke to God today and he said I was good.
Priest – Ok…
How is your family, everything is ok, your kids… home life…
(My kids.. ok.)
Me – All is good. Seriously, life is good. I can’t complain. Life is taking its due curse…
Priest – Its due curse…
Me – Yes… oh yeah, we can pray for that.
Priest – Yes, let’s pray!
So, we hold hands and we pray.

I wonder if my sin would be repented? Perhaps, just as the same as the next mafia dude. So, my skepticism continues…

I thought I was done with my confession episode until I heard the Vatican Canon Law Adviser criticizing Governor Cuomo of New York for taking holy communion because he is shaking up with his girlfriend, celebrity chef Sandra Lee. Per Dr. Edward Peters, a top expert in Catholic Church law and a consultant to the highest court at the Vatican, Cuomo is publicly acting in violation of Canon 915, a fundamental moral expectation of the Church,” and that “as long as he persists in such conduct, he should refrain from taking Holy Communion”.

Oh no, that’s a big no no. He is living in sin alright!

But Mr Law Advisor, please advise if so called violation also includes those who inappropriately touched kids and knew about it and didn’t say a word or the ones who actually knew about it but hid behind the bushes? My take on this, it should be included but in the eyes of the church, it is not. So, my suggestion to Mr Cuomo there is if he is ever refrained from taking communion at his church, he should stick his hands inside of the bowl, take the wafer and administer the communion to himself. I wish Dr. Edward Peters would confess to his own sins because I surely would confess to this one.

Lent

(Extracted from my church’s bulletin)

Fast from judging others;
Feast on the Christ who dwells within them.

Fast from emphasis on differences;
Feast the Spirit that unites.

Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude

Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.

Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from pessimism;
Feast on optimism.

Fast from worry;
Feast on trust.

Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives;
Feast on affirmatives.

Fast from personal anxiety;
Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility;
Feast on nonviolence.

Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement;
Feast on hope.

Fast from lethargy;
Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.

Fast from the thoughts that weaken;
Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from the darkness of sin;
Feast on the light of Christ.

Lent ends next week.