It’s been a good Saturday. The weather was really beautiful, though we are expecting some rain later tonight or tomorrow. I’m hoping the rain holds off for Mass tomorrow.

Though I have quietly observed the Season of Lent the past two years, today is the first time in several years that I have attended Mass on Ash Wednesday.  When I am at home, I usually attend mass with the Carmelite Nuns.  Today, however, I journeyed a bit north and attended service at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Arlington.

It was at St. Maria Goretti that I attended the RCIA classes and officially converted to Catholicism back in 1990.   I left the Parish in 1997 after a disagreement with the Pastor over what constituted the proper “mold” a child should fit within in order to receive a Catholic Education.  I could not, in good conscious, give my time and money to a church that felt children should fit certain molds, as we are all God’s Children.

When walking into the sanctuary today, I felt a wave of peace come over me.  All the things I love about the Catholic Church – the ritual, the tradition, the comfort found in the Order of the Mass were surrounding me in this beautiful building.  And I could feel it radiating from the people in the church today, most of which was an elderly crowd of cradle Catholics.  I was glad that I had arrived early, so that I could take some time to kneel and say silent prayers. The Homily was short, but sweet and the priest spoke  about how the Lenten Season is not simply about sacrifice, but is actually a joyous season.  And I lingered after the completion of the Liturgy of the Word, the Distribution of Ashes, and Communion.

Afterwards, a stranger asked me at a store if I realized there was something on my forehead.  I explained that today was Ash Wednesday.  Something clicked for her and she asked “So what did you give up for Lent?”

I know that traditionally, a person should give up something they love for Lent.  Many people give up favorite snacks.  The Priest said he told the Junior High kids in the previous Mass that they should give up texting.     I have decided the last couple of years to embrace Lent in a different way and enrich my spiritual life.  Last year, I took up mediation and abstained from eating meat on Fridays from the beginning of Lent until the beginning of Advent.

So, what was my answer to the stranger?

“Finding my Faith again.”

I have to say, she was a bit taken aback.  But the clerk who overheard this conversation quietly told me as I paid for my purchase, “Good luck with your Lent Thing.”

Each year, instead of choosing a New Year’s Resolution, I have chosen words in which to guide me.  I haven’t publicly shared my 2010 words yet, but my main word for this year is just that: Faith.   Faith encompasses something beyond a belief in God.  My belief that God exists has not changed nor has the core of that belief been shaken in any way.  Other areas of Faith, however, are shaky.  My Faith that people are truly good and kind.  My Faith in the laws of karma.  My Faith that in the long run of things, everything will work out in the way it should, and in the proper time, not in MY time.  And most of all, the Faith I need to have in myself.  That I am worthy.

In many long discussions with my dear friend Lee over the choice of my 2010 word, she suggested that maybe one word was all I needed this year.  I usually add a complementary couple of words to spice things up and I’m still debating that issue.  If I do choose two more words, one of those will be Gratitude and the other shall be Hope, but the jury is still out to be honest.  I do know that it’s time to begin to keep a Gratitude Journal once again, even if it’s just for the period between now and Easter.

Though it is only 9 PM, it has been a long day.  Time for a little bit of reading and a warm bed.

Sweet Dreams.

The book is more attractive to me than the toolbox because no matter how much I love the web, I LOVE books.   The book is laid out in a monthly format.   I can process it in a manner truly conducive to learning – in small, management tasks rather than trying to “eat an entire elephant”.

Each month, I’ll tell you a little about what area of life I’m focusing on….and during the month, make a post over at the ATG Blog as well.

So let’s talk about January.  In January, the focus is “Vitality”.  Boost Energy by doing things like: going to bed earlier;  exercising better; toss, restore, organize; tackle a nagging task and act more energetic.   Gretchen talks about tackling not just physical energy, but the mental aspects of energy as well.     Physical energy begins with a good night’s sleep…I’m wondering if it’s truly possible to get to bed early?  We shall see.

For those of you reading along with me that want to try to journey along on the Happiness Project with me, The Happiness Toolbox is great.  Or pick up the book.  As I mentioned, I LOVE books and being able to hold it in my hands.

I am finding it hard to believe that it’s 2010.  I know usually by this point, I have introduced my focus for the year in the form of my January column for All Things Girl….that will gel over the next few weeks.

Speaking of All Things Girl, be sure and check out the January issue with cover girl Amanda Palmer!

Happy New Year.  May 2010 bring you love, joy, and happiness

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

This is the Nativity story, Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 14, King James Version

Yes, I am Catholic (though more Spiritual than died-in-the-wool Catholic).  But I grew up Baptist and the language of the King James Version of The Bible is the Bible of my childhood and is so beautiful.

I wish each of you, no matter your beliefs this time of year, a Peaceful and Joyful holiday season.  May you be surrounded in love.

(The painting is The Adoration of the Christ Child by Domenico di Zanobi and is from the Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

May we never forget.

(photos are mine, taken December 7, 2008, Washington DC)
PS – for a personal memory from a WWII Vet I met last year, read about Dave.

Tyrannosaurus rex — the most fearsome predator ever to trod the Earth — had a pint-size precursor, remarkably similar in appearance but no heavier than a human being, according to a new report from a team of scientists. The creature was what Austin Powers might call T. rex’s Mini-Me.

via Smuggled Dinosaur Fossil Scrambles Picture of Tyrannosaurus Rex – washingtonpost.com.

I believe I read recently that the fossils that had been smuggled out of China were being returned to the Chinese Government.  But this is fascinating.  As the article states, the fossil was sold to a private collector and may have come from inner Mongolia.

This kind of news really brings out the kid in me.  And it makes me want to travel to places like China….

They both bring me such joy and it thrills me to know that they are both healthy and happy.

I hope you have the opportunity to visit us there. Feel free to bookmark us, link us, and/or subscribe to our RSS feed!

When I realized that I had begun to take this gift for granted, I chastised myself.  All the years of well-practiced self-flagellation made it easy to slip into the negative voice in my head.  I hate that voice.  Sometimes, though, no matter how hard you try, the voice doesn’t quiet easily.   I have discovered, however, that if you allow yourself to be loved, the negative voice becomes dimmer and the voice you hear inside yourself is instead one more gentle and encouraging.

Today, I was feeling confident enough in myself to give myself the gift of peace.  I wasn’t looking to simply go through the motions, but to find that space where mediation is truly a part of your being.   I sat on the floor of my office next to the dog.  She loves for me to work in my office as it means she can nap in front of the sofa there.   I began breathing deeply and soon realized that my body was timing one deep inhalation and  exhalation with two of her breaths.  As I found the rhythm, within moments I had found my center.     I breathed and focused on the energies in my body, slowing moving energy from the tips of my fingers and toes to my chi and gently holding the energies.    And then I found it.  That perfect imperfect moment where the world around me disappears and there is nothing but energy and breath.

Like art, no two people will mediate the same.  But also like art, it is often about the process.  I’m thankful that the process once again feels not foreign, but like a part of me.

Happy Wednesday!

These businesses know their customers, often on a first name basis. Their customer relationships, like every real relationship, encounter the occasional rough spot. Being small and human means making plenty of mistakes.

But when these businesses mess up, unlike AT&T or Microsoft, their customers often love them more.

via Finding Your Village of Customers | Copyblogger.

This entire article really spoke to me in two ways: as a business owner and as a consumer.

I’ve been a consultant since 2003 and I treat my clients like they are friends.   I find that even after a project is complete, I continue to have contact with a past client.  We telephone and email (or text). Share a meal.  Converse about how business is going and how the family is getting along.  Sometimes, I’m able to introduce past clients to each other and they are able to form a business relationship to fill a need.  It increases the strength and size of my village.  Some of the work was truly a one-time thing and I may never work with a particular client again; but we keep in touch because we’ve become close enough to care.

In regards to being a consumer, I’ll be the first to admit I like to spend my money with businesses that treat me like an old friend.  Some businesses have learned the knack of creating a small community of consumers.  I mourned the closure of my closest Starbucks because I missed not only the employees, but the other customers I have shared a hello and a how are you with for ten years.  I go to Bagel Boyz rather than Subway because the guy behind the counter remembers that I’m likely going to get tuna, even though he’ll try to persuade me that his chicken salad is just as tasty.  And I prefer to stay at the Hotel Monaco in downtown DC because the staff members treat me like a long lost relative instead of treating me as just a hotel guest.

In times like these, when the economy is tight, these businesses who operate like a village are going to continue to thrive while the big boys are going to flounder.  I think it’s because we see theses businesses like we see our friends:  we love them and we want them to be successful.