Rx for the Soul

For Whatever, Whenever or Forever

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-03-19T14:00:00Z

Some of the photographs were so funny I almost peed my pants; some of them were so sweet they had me melting; and some of them touched me so that I just pressed them against my heart. The memories those shots created had me thanking God out loud that I had taken them.

That was my afternoon recently while going through my photo boxes to fish some out for a little project I'm doing for mom. Ahh...the power of a photograph. I love it. How it transports our minds in a flash to relive a moment so vividly, while leaving our bodies there, motionless and sometimes, it seems, in a state of unconsciousness. Okay that's a bit melodramatic, but you get the effect, no?

That afternoon I literally went through hundreds of photos of family and friends. And although the digital era now allows me to take an unlimited amount of pictures, which totally appeals to my wallet, I do miss the days when film would put me "in touch" with an image. For me it's like print books versus digital books. There's a certain element of touch missing. But anyway, neither photography nor reading is what I wanted to write about here. It's people. The people in our lives.

The images through which I sifted the other day and the bit of spring cleaning I've been doing lately (seasonably so) reminded me of Brian A. "Drew" Chalker's poem wherein he talks about people coming into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Like those who creep in solely to get us from one job to the other; or those whose job is to subliminally and patiently bring us to God; or those who remain a permanent figure even when they are not physically close. Sort of like a phantom limb, you feel them even when they are not there. So of course, all that thinking about the people in my life set off the analytical monster in me (those of you who know me well have experienced this character...I apologize, 'cause when it's good it's okay but when it's bad it's ugly).

But however good or ugly this analytical character, I think it's useful. Take for instance this people/reason/season/lifetime thing. Understanding and keeping in perspective the roles people play in our lives could help us deal. You know so when those people we thought were lifers turn out to be temporary, for example, we don't get so bogged down by bitterness or disappointment and instead look at it with thankfulness. To see the greater picture. Something like that. Except nowadays with technology that facilitates the adding, deleting or even putting on hold of people in our lives, we tend to be too quick to judge these human connections, not realizing that at the end of the day, nobody does networking like God. Sometimes no matter what we do....

        I for one have experienced Chalker's poem plenty. I've seen the purpose of certain people in my life as well as mine in theirs unfold right before my eyes, in due time, but when I least expected it. Leaving me there nodding my head and saying "Oh okay, I get it." Those revelations are heaven-sent no doubt, and they can be truly humbling. As I look back I clearly recognize and appreciate those who were there for a reason or a season. And treasure the ones who have been there for most of my life, or for what seems a lifetime.

        Still, there are others whose use has not been brought to light yet. I wonder about them sometimes, "Tell me again, why exactly am I supposed to keep this person around?" On those over-analytical days, that can be like waiting for the ketchup to come out of the bottle -- the anticipation kills me. But then I remember that timing is all His, so I just say "Okay God, You'll tell me I guess."

        And so today, on the eve of Spring, I thank YOU for being a part of MY life...for whatever, whenever or forever.  : )

“Reason, Season, Lifetime”

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled;
their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life.......

~ Brian A. "Drew" Chalker

God's winks...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-03-10T17:10:00Z

When we least expect it...a God wink. Gotta love it.

Misdialed call connects woman who had scheduled an abortion to pro-life help --
Indianapolis, Ind., Mar 10, 2010 (Catholic News Agency).

An Indiana woman who inadvertently dialed a pro-life group instead of a Planned Parenthood clinic about her appointment for an abortion instead found the support she needed to decide to bring her child to term.

The story was recounted in a March 9 report from David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life.

A young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana, named as “Erin,” had sent her children to school and childcare at a friend’s house when she noticed she was late for her abortion appointment at Planned Parenthood.

Though she thought she was calling Planned Parenthood to see if she could still have the abortion, she misdialed the number and instead called the cell phone of 40 Days for Life Indianapolis.

Joseph, the man who answered her call, tried to calm the woman. He took her name and number and said that a counselor would call her back.

The counselor, Elizabeth, called back and begged her not to hang up. She told Erin she had not reached Planned Parenthood and asked if she was a Christian.

When Erin said she was, Elizabeth told her God’s grace was at work in the “wrong number,” 40 Days for Life reports.

Erin explained that desperation had led her to the abortion center. She already had four children and their father was in jail. She had lost her job, her electricity was about to be shut off and she lacked rent money.

Elizabeth spread news about Erin’s situation to other pro-lifers. One volunteer offered to pay her electric bill, while ten others pooled their cash to pay her rent.

A local group is now working with Erin to help her find a job.

“She has a lot of potential,” Eileen said, “but needs support since her mother and sister are still encouraging her to abort the baby.”

Erin has reportedly reacted with “joy and disbelief” at the strangers’ help. She has called Planned Parenthood to cancel her appointment and to request a refund.

“God does work in mysterious ways. There are no coincidences … and in this case, no wrong numbers!” 40 Days for Life director David Bereit said in a statement.

The 40 Days for Life campaign is dedicated to prayerful pro-life witness and advocacy outside abortion clinics. Its website is http://www.40daysforlife.com/.

Source: Catholic News Agency

Let go and let God

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-03-05T21:10:00Z

A few minutes ago, I received an email from a good friend who is about to experience the inevitable as it pertains to our children -- separation anxiety. You may recall I wrote about that in a post from March of last year called The Inevitable is Here. Allow me to share with you my friend's email:

Hi Connie,
I remember that at this time last year your blog was about Lauren's MLR trip and how hard it was to let her go. Eli is on the eve of her trip and here I sit with such bittersweet emotions. I m so proud of her and yet I m hit with the reality that in a year and half she will be packing not for a week but for months at a time. She is my rock and wise beyond her years. Believe it or not I have learned more from her than what she has learned from me. Anyhow I just wanted you to know that I remember your blog and your very wise words my friend.

Take care and have a great weekend.
Monica
____________________________________

And so I take this opportunity to ask that you pray for Eli and this group of kids who will be flying out tomorrow and venturing into a week-long encounter with our Lord. That our loving Virgin Mary sees to their health and safety, that the grace of God instills in them enough spiritual energy to carry them through years to come, and that He grants their parents trust and peace of mind to let go and let God.

Thank you all. : )

Stamp Out Bigotry

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-03-05T15:36:00Z

Looks like some activist groups never sleep, especially the anti-religion ones. This time they want the U.S. Post Office to cancel a planned new stamp honoring Mother Teresa, which is scheduled to be released August 26th. Seriously? CatholicVoteAction.org has prepared a petition to the Postmaster General in suppoort of the decision to issue the Mother Teresa stamp.

Sure, she was Cathoilc, but she was more-so a soul who laboured for peace, and love, and human dignity. And that transcends all beliefs and agendas. I invite you to join this campaign to honor this holy nun, and all that she lived for and represents today. Please click on Stamp Out Bigotry to read the letter to the Postmaster and VOTE.

God bless.

"We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."

"If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."

~ Mother Teresa

Friday's here!

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-03-05T14:31:00Z

"Family means too much, Friends are too valuable, And life is too short, To put-off sharing with people, How much they mean to you, And pursuing whatever it is that makes you happy."

~ Unknown

"ALWAYS IN TOUCH" - Waving to friends and family back home via live webcam -
Grand Lake, CO.

Photo by CCPerez. Copyright © July 2008 Connie Perez. All rights reserved.

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy your loved ones! : )

5 Minutes

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-26T14:00:00Z

My office neighbor, who is responsible for, among other things, making me ponder things some days to the point of headache, asked me just yesterday: "If at the end of your life when you face God you had five minutes with Him, what would you talk to Him about, what would you ask Him?" I told her I wouldn't ask Him anything as I believe once we enter the realm of heaven all of our questions will be answered instantly, we'll have complete understanding; and that I suppose instead I would spend that time wheeling and dealing for the people down here on Earth. First words out of my mouth would be, "Please grant my daughter and son a healthy and happy life." "No specifics?" she then asked. "No," I said, "as I believe what I think would make them happy may not necessarily be what He thinks would make them happy or be best for them, so I would leave specifics up to Him."

What would you do with your 5 minutes?

Have a great weekend everybody! : )

In Heaven, God will reveal what on Earth He chose to conceal.
~ David Brandt Berg

And I said to the one who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the Unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'
~ Minnie Haskins

...there's no app for that!

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-25T14:00:00Z

I was at Disney the other day and saw a "Today I Feel" magnet board with Disney character faces on it expressing different feelings. You know so you can choose whatever emotion you are feeling on any particular day and frame it within the movable little square it brings. It was really cute so I bought one for myself. And then I bought one for a friend of mine whose moods swings some days can have that little square hopping all over that magnet board. I figured she'd overlook my insinuation and appreciate the fun distraction. : )

After using it for a couple of days I realized that this board, although equipped to show the most common moods and emotions, omits some of my most recurrent ones. So I thought, okay I'm gonna have to custom design one just for me. And then I thought, well, while I'm at it maybe I'll add an app to it; you know, to get rid of a negative mood and easily access a more desirable one at the touch of a button. After all, it seems there's an app for just about anything. So how about one that would instantaneously and genie-like blink me out of a bad mood and into a good one? Something that'd work faster than a bite of dark chocolate (as doubtful as that may be). Yes that would be grand, wouldn't it? Feel frustrated, angry, enraged while at the office and want to stop before you ring your co-workers neck? There's an app for that. Feel frightened, anxious, hopeless about the state of the country and want to stop before you go postal on somebody? There's an app for that. Feel threatened, jealous, resentful and want to stop before you really lose that someone you love? There's an app for that. Feel stressed, annoyed, aggravated at traffic and want to get there teletransporter-style before you have a heart attack? There's an app for that. [You moms, you know you want this one, admit it]. Like magic. That'd be pretty cool, huh?

Yeah, no, not exactly. I don't know about adding this feature to our already existing push-button, instant gratification world. As it is, we spend an immense amount of time in cyberspace, wearing our hearts on our webpages, if you will, where we learn about engagements, weddings, divorces, births and deaths, and discuss current events with a zillion people at once, all in the most impersonal of ways. And I've come across a number of mood-tracking applications readily out there to help people quickly change their moods, not quite at genie-like blink speed, but certainly in the most uninvolved and indifferent of ways. Nothing like social media to strip away interpersonal skills. Whatever happened to reaching out to a friend or family member to help us get out of a bad mood or emotion? Nah, that requires more than just the push of a button I'm afraid; that means engagement, time, and patience. Too much to ask for maybe?

Truth is there's nothing like live communication I believe, and although yours truly is herself guilty of cyberspacing and texting, as I can appreciate the reaching out capability of social networking, through which I've been able to reconnect with some friends and family, I don't fail to recognize the dangers of conforming to this medium's addictive character and hooking power over us to depend on it for human interaction. I mostly worry for the kids, the ones growing up digital, who seem to choose texting over calling in a birthday wish to even their closest of friends. Of course, at the end of the day, life is all about balance, and it's important to find it in this arena as well, and to teach our children the value of this balance.

-- Hello?

-- Hey.

-- Hey, what's going on?

-- Ugh, I'm in such a bad mood.

-- Why, what's wrong?

-- Well, today when I .........

I don't know, call me old fashion, call me sentimental, but I think nothing beats the warm comforting sound of a live voice over the phone or the reassuring feeling of a face-to-face presence over coffee to help you get into the right place again. Thank goodness there's NO app for that!

Source: Peanuts.com

One to a customer...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-19T13:00:00Z

This bright, new day...complete with 24 hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes… a perfectly matched set of 1440 minutes.This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced or refunded. Handle with care. Make the most of it. There is only one to a customer.

~ Author Unknown ~

Me and my bro...the best pilot you ever saw. : )

Copyright © Connie Perez. All rights reserved.

Let's make each day count people! Have a great weekend. : )

Guest Post: Lent, a Time for Celebration?

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-18T15:03:00Z

~ by Candie Suarez ~

Lent has arrived. For Catholics this is a time of prayer, fasting and giving alms. However, many people do not observe this sabbatical from self-indulgences. Actually, for Catholics it is mostly a time of penance as we take 40 days to abstain from those things which bring us personal gratification and instead we are called to do acts of charity for others, and attempt to carve out some quiet time during our day to pray and get closer to God in order to obtain the fruit of spiritual growth. These traditions are important and significant no doubt. However, I have found that penance can sometimes be easier than celebration.

Personally, for me the past couple of years have been somewhat about doom and gloom for an array of reasons, mostly the radical politics we are living through, but also personal struggles have not exactly avoided me, and why should they?

As Catholics, we pretty much atone for 40 days, except of course for Easter Sunday. No doubt Easter Sunday is an amazing day and great cause for celebration. But I believe Christ already suffered and died on the Cross for me, so I see no reason to continue to crucify Him year after year.

On Easter Sunday many will be celebrating the resurrection of Christ, again, as will I, but even more of us will be celebrating the breaking of the fast and the chocolate, soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, deserts, nail biting and all those other things we tend to indulge in during the year, but abstained from during Lent await us once again on Easter.

As hard as it may seem to some to give those things up, its really no big deal. After all, not eating or drinking a favored delight for 40 days is no real sacrifice. Although I have to admit I never crave steak or chicken wings on Fridays as much as I crave it during Lent.

As I sat through mass tonight, I heard as Father spoke to us about celebrations, and I decided that during these next 40 days, I would take the time to celebrate those things and people that I inadvertently take for granted. Of course I will atone and lash myself for all those atrocious things I've said and done or not said and done. However, this year I will make a concerted effort to celebrate.

For instance, I will celebrate my co-workers, those people in my office who have overcome difficult moments in their lives, or who have been supportive during their children's hardships when they really wanted to ring their necks, or the co-workers who struggle financially yet come to work everyday with a good attitude, and especially my dear friend who has overcome a life-threatening challenge and whose big beautiful smile always brightens my day whenever I see him. I Celebrate you.

I celebrate my employers, and their unwavering determination to make the firm a great place to work. Thank you, I celebrate you.

I celebrate mothers. Even though mine is with God, many of you still are lucky enough to have yours, and better yet, your children can still be spoiled by their nanas, grammys, bubbies, abuelitas and grandmas. What a great gift. I Celebrate them.

I celebrate the love, lives and legacies left behind by our dearly departed who are no longer here physically, but whose spirit lives on in our hearts, endlessly. I celebrate them.

I celebrate Our soldiers who have vowed to die for my freedom, regardless of the fact that they don't even know me. I celebrate every single one of them and their families who are doing without; while these heros are at war.

I celebrate your hardships and mine, because we will make it through and once we do, we will be all the better for it. I celebrate our struggles.

I celebrate every unborn child in their mother's womb. I celebrate those who adopt and give loving homes to children who would otherwise not know such a blessing. I celebrate children, especially my own who do such a good job of keeping me in check, everyday. Thank you, I celebrate you.

I celebrate my health, the health of everyone of you, and the health of my husband and children.

I celebrate my friends and the amazing laughter we share everyday; sometimes even to the point of pain or peeing or both, the tears we have cried together or for each other's hardships, and the tolerance each and everyone of you show me every time I just cant keep my opinions to myself. I celebrate you.

Finally and most importantly I celebrate the Master of our Universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, without whom our time here on earth would just be a pointless journey with no hope of eternal life. May God touch you this Lenten season and may a celebratory heart be yours all year.

Lent, a time for Celebration? Absolutely.

Lent 2010

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-16T21:00:00Z

        Hard to believe another season of Lent is upon us. But tomorrow morning, as us Christians awake to Ash Wednesday, we embark once again on another journey of reflection, penance, fasting, and works of mercy in preparation for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  Sounds like a tough 40-day run doesn't it? Well, yes, at times it can be, especially those works of mercy.  But as the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and we need a lot of practice in this regard. Hence the annual observance.

    The cool thing would be to attain this year-round, don't you think? Let's make this a meaningful and faith-filled Lent season.  I pray the ashes you receive tomorrow touch more than just your foreheads. I pray they touch your hearts.



                                                Jesus, you place on my forehead
                                                the sign of my sister Death:
                                                “Remember you are dust,
                                                and to dust you shall return.”

                                                How not hear her wise advice?
                                                One day my life on earth will end;
                                                the limits on my years are set,
                                                though I know not the day or hour.
                                                Shall I be ready to go to meet you?
                                                Let this holy season be a time of grace
                                                for me and all this world.

                                                “Teach us to number our days aright,
                                                that we may gain wisdom of heart.”

                                                                - a meditation by Victor Hoagland, C.P.

                    I leave you with a bit of Lent comic relief....after all, God has a sense of humor.

                                             If Connie was a priest.....   : )

For those who love...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-12T13:00:00Z

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
~Author Unknown

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.

~Henry Van Dyke

Dear family and friends - wishing all of you a very happy Valentine's Day full of joy and LOVE.

Now I've heard it all...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-08T21:21:00Z

After a couple of weeks of serious bashing by the Planned Parenthood and NOW people, the much anticipated and opposed ad of recent times turned out to be a humorous and subtle take on "the celebration of life." That's what all the fuss and furor was about?? But then today I read a statement that just floored me, and made me wonder if it's possible that some people are just flat out unhappy and unsatisfied human beings who refuse to grow out of their adversities:

            NOW president Terry O'Neill said it [the ad] glorified violence against women.
            "I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it," she
            said. "That's what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion
            message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don't find it charming.
            I think CBS should be ashamed of itself."
            - Source: Los Angeles Times

You're kidding me, right?! Tebow tackles his mom in celebration of the violence against women!...film at eleven. Now I've heard it all.

Source: YouTube

Travel for the Soul - The Great Outdoors

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-08T16:29:00Z

There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera. And, you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed. Don't be bitter because you can't record it. Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is!
~ DeGriff

(But even if you have that camera, put it down and make sure to take it in with the naked eye. : )

"Taking it In" - Glacier National Park, Montana

Photo by Lauren Perez. Copyright © July 2005 Connie Perez. All rights reserved.

For me, the waiting is a time of preparation, a time of centering, a time of allowing the expected and the unexpected to manifest, and above all, a time of stillness.
~ J.D. Marston

"Patience Pays" - Glacier National Park, Montana

Photo by CCPerez. Copyright © July 2005 Connie Perez. All rights reserved.

Speak up for God

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-04T15:49:00Z

Following up on my entry of January 29th, "Heaven Forbid!", let's keep momentum going. Click on this link to voice your vote if you haven't already done so, and tell CBS you support its decision to air the Tebow ad. Just last night I had a chance to view clips of some of the ads that will air during the Super Bowl, and let me tell you that I believe the Tebow ad NEEDS to be aired, for starters to counterbalance the effects of those others. Yikes! This is not a pro-choice / pro-life vote, this is a pro-values / pro-God vote.

Photo Source: CatholicVote.org

1001 Smiles

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-03T20:41:00Z

This website was brought to my attention by a family member who suggested I post it on my blog for others to see. Upon viewing it myself, I couldn't help but want to post it. Here's an example of adversity turned into compassion. It is refreshing to hear stories, especially those involving people in our community, that chronicle pain transformed to love. This story in particular courtesy of a teacher and her husband who turned the death of their three-year old son into 1001 smiles.

Check out 1001 Smiles:

http://www.1001smiles.com/Index.htm

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is
something for you to do in the world. So long as
you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain.
~ Hellen Keller

Divine Spirit

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-03T15:27:00Z

A good friend sent this video to me the other day. I must say that I love stories that touch my heart, that give me perspective, that inspire me; stories that exemplify the power of God's grace, as seen in this kid's spirit; stories that remind me that God has a plan for each and every one of us. I hope this one does just that for you.

Source: YouTube

The Divine Spirit does not reside in any except the joyful heart.
~ The Talmud

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change
and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.

~ Helen Keller

Good Monday morning...and a great week to all.

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-02-01T13:35:00Z

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.

~Emmanuel

"Cotton Sky"

Photo by CCPerez. Copyright © 2009 Connie Perez. All rights reserved.

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.

~Pepper Giardino

Heaven forbid!

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-29T13:54:00Z

I wonder if all those people opposing a commercial that promotes and celebrates life lifted a finger to support, either materially or spiritually, those souls perishing in Haiti after the earthquake. Their little regard for human life would make me think not. But if they did, they are hypocrites. I wonder, what can be so horrific about a 30-second ad that defends something as sacred as life, to people who I'm sure would do anything to preserve theirs? I wonder how offensive a short, miss-it-if-you-blink, pro-life ad can be amongst the filth that plays on TV nowadays? Heaven forbid!

        It is a sad sad world we live in when so many appear to be so up in arms about something so morally on point with what our values should be.

        Really. Give me a break!

           "And if we can accept that a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people
            not to kill one another?"

"Many people are concerned with children of India, with the children of Africa where quite a few die of hunger, and so on. Many people are also concerned about the violence in this great country of the United States. These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is the greatest destroyer of peace today- abortion which brings people to such blindness."

~ Mother Teresa

Good Monday morning...and a great week to all.

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-25T15:08:00Z

Go out into the world where your heart calls you. The blessings will come, I promise you that. I wish for you the insight to recognize the blessings as such, and sometimes it's hard. But you'll know it's a blessing if you are enriched and transformed by the experience. So be ready. There are great souls and teachers everywhere. It's your job to recognize them.

~ Sy Montgomery

Food for Thought

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-22T20:36:00Z

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.

~ Brother David Steindl-Rast

March for Life

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-21T19:11:00Z

March for Life, the annual pro-life rally held in Washington, D.C. is tomorrow, Friday, January 22nd. The 5th annual Blogs for Life Conference will take place from 8:30 to 11:30am EST, hosted by Family Research Council. The conference will feature prominent pro-life leaders who will speak with bloggers live. You can view a live stream of the conference starting at around 8:30 a.m., just click below.

"Ive noticed that everyone who is for abortion is already born." - Ronald Reagan

"America you are beautiful . . . and blessed . . . . The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II

We must not be surprised when we hear of murders, killings, of wars, or of hatred...If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill each other? - Mother Teresa

Reminiscing About Baby Food

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-21T14:21:00Z

Couple of days ago I was at the grocery store with my daughter and her boyfriend. As usual, as soon as we came in they went their own way in search of the items they wanted to stuff my cart with. I turn the aisle and spot them in front of the baby food shelf checking out the different types. As I pass behind them I hear them reminisce about their baby food consumption days, which ones they liked and which ones they hated (as if they could remember in detail...can they really?). Time stopped still for a minute it seemed when I myself flashed back to those days, and then I couldn't help but chuckle at the comparison of past and present images. It was funny, then bittersweet. After picking their favorite, now all on their own --banana-- they catch up to me, stuff it in the cart, and go on to the next aisle for bigger and better things (but...is there anything better than banana baby food?).

These days it is refreshing to catch them in such a moment of simplicity, taking a break from checking out colleges and career options, filling out applications, talking all grown up, and feeling all stressed out. They stress about their present, we stress about their future. Let's face it, it's a tough world we live in. So these moments of simplicity give us parents a break as well, and seem to slow down time in the process, even if for a moment. Because time is relative they say, and I couldn't agree more, but when it comes to our kids it seems this theory does not apply 'cause time just flies, no matter what. And let me tell you, I'm not ready. Am I the only parent out there who's not ready? I can't possibly be. I mean, as much as I look forward to them accomplishing their plans, wherever those may take them, and living out their lives, a part of me wants them in a time warp of sorts, standing there reminiscing about baby food. : )

It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.
~ Barbara Kingsolver

We're baaack...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2010-01-06T16:28:00Z

Hello there! A very happy New Year to all of you! I hope that your time with your loved ones was special, and that you had lots of fun. Allow me to start this blog's year with the following two quotes which serve as important reminders to all of us.

Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don't want it.
What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a
sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not
know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets
the bone.

~ Miller Williams

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose

of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above
all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some
difference that you lived at all.

~ Leo Rosten

I wish you most of all LOVE.

The Year in Review

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2009-12-18T13:00:00Z

Family and friends, as we spot the end of 2009 on the horizon, we look back, take stock, and begin looking forward to what's to come in 2010 and beyond. To some extent it has seemed like we've been stuck in 2008, as this year did not produce any considerable change when it came to the economy, the real estate market, the job market, or the war. But surely we were treated to some memorable moments. There were some firsts: a historical presidential inauguration, a beer summit, the rise and fall of the clunker car, the swine flu protocol: cough-into-sleeve or else.... Some were head-shaking (could've sworn we had more than the predicted amount of full moons this year): the balloon boy fiasco, the "invited" party crashers, those affairs to remember, or more like fatal attractions to forget (how unfaithful and disrespectful a humanity we've become), climategate...climategate? You're kidding me right? We have enough with John&Kate! Some were heart-stopping: the Hudson River landing, the Air France crashing. Others were change-bound: animated town hall meetings, high-spirited rallies, ongoing health care entanglements. And some were heart-wrenching: in-your-face Texas-grown terrorism, an obscene amount of missing persons, and way, way too many senseless deaths. Yeap, 2009 has been quite eventful. Of course our year in review must include whatever personal adversities transpired in each of our lives. Definitely we can't forget those.

We can't forget those because as the year nears its end we should look back to remember the lessons learned from them, and reflect on any changes we want, or need, to make and resolve to follow through. I've never been big on New Year resolutions myself, but I will tell you this, that among the things I would like to improve and/or change is the way in which I communicate with those I care about. Too much of the e-mailing texting facebooking blogging thing, and not enough of the phone or face to face live and in person thing. Technology has made me a bit impersonal I admit, and I need to, no, must, do something about that. Gotta balance that out. That's one of my "things" for 2010 I think. What about you, what's yours?

And so as we get ready to say goodbye to 2009 this New Year's Eve, let's grab those hats and noisemakers, and just as the clock strikes midnight, let's clink those champagne glasses and celebrate having been alive one more year, kissing and hugging to death those around us, phoning those dear ones who are celebrating elsewhere, and if you happen to be at my house, also eating twelve grapes for prosperity, throwing a bucket of water out the front door to wash away the bad of the last year, spraying perfume on your feet for love and romance, and taking a walk outside with a suitcase for future journeys. Never mind that at home we are a practicing Catholic family and put our future first and foremost confidently in God's hands, these traditions are lots of fun and bring added laughter to our celebration. Sure we get kinda wacky looks from some of the neighbors, but only from the ones who aren't already joining us. ; )

But listen, whatever our New Year's Eve traditions, let's be sure to celebrate by ending the old year with respect and beginning the new one in the way we would like it to begin -- with love -- and let's establish our intentions for the new year, looking not backwards with despair, but forward with hope, oh my gosh yes, lots of hope.

Meanwhile, as this blogger signs off for the year to spend much anticipated quality time with loved ones this holiday season, I leave you with my sincere best wishes for a healthy, peaceful, safe, and happy 2010. May your new year be filled with all the blessings you desire and deserve, and may the good Lord provide you with a daily dose of serenity, strength, courage and wisdom. God bless you and your families.

My love to all.

Promise yourself….

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

~ Christian D. Larson

Prayer Request

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2009-12-14T14:25:00Z

Good morning folks and a blessed Monday to all. Below is a status from my cousin Emoy regarding her husband Tony's condition. As in the past, I ask that you please continue to keep Tony in your prayers, as well as Emoy and their children. Thank you all so very much.

Good Morning Connie,

Just wanted to give you an update on Tony. As you may remember we were going to back to Gainesville for a follow up. As you may already know. After our visit, he started feeling bad, he was short of breath, very tired, not sleeping, not eating, retaining a lot of fluid around his lungs, abdomen and neck. All of these signs are conclusive to heart failure. The doctor decided to admit him for another complete workup for reevaluation for heart transplant. He was in the hospital for 4 days, where they did "everything" and checked all of his other organs. At the same time, they drained 6 lbs of fluid. He came back a new man - Thank God. They have made some changes in his medications, diet, etc... We have a consultation appointment on Dec. 22 - for all the results and the prognosis. There are trying all means to delay a transplant due to all the other complications that that has. There is a new device that came out called a Ventricular Assistant which is a battery operated "machine" that he will carry outside his body. It's basically a motor that continues pumping his heart. That is an option that the doctor slightly talked about. It sounds like a great option for Tony and I. However, we need to get the results from the doctor. Please keep us in your prayers. Your network is a great tool and very powerful. I will continue to update you a on this "blessing" that allows us to look at life in a different way and keeps us closer to each other every moment that we are together.

Thanks again for your concerns and constanct prayer.
God Bless,

Emoy

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
~ John 14:13-14.

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.
~Abraham Lincoln

Having fun while bringing awareness...

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2009-12-02T17:12:00Z

This short video was created in Portland as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Supposedly, when the video gets 1 million hits, this hospital will receive a large contribution, and free mammograms will be offered for the community. Please check it out.

Video: Pink Glove Dance
Source: YouTube

¿Negra o Morada?

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2009-12-01T22:35:00Z

"Black or Purple?" - translated for the benefit of some...

P ara muchas personas el Viernes Negro (el día después de Thanksgiving) marca el comienzo de la época de Pascuas, las fiestas Navideñas. Un período durante el cual muchos de nosotros usamos inmensa energía preparándonos materialmente para un tiempo del año que no debía tener nada que ver con posesiones materiales y en vez debía tener todo que ver con nuestro crecimiento espiritual. Me refiero a la época de el Adviento, litúrgicamente identificada por el color morado, la cual comenzó este pasado Domingo.

Como Cristianos, entramos en el Adviento para prepararnos no solo para celebrar el nacimiento de Cristo, sino que también para contemplar Su futuro regreso a nosotros. Esto quiere decir que la época de Adviento tiene mucho que ver con la esperanza. Y si, es verdad, dada la gran oscuridad de nuestro mundo, a veces esa esperanza aparenta escasa, y fomentar ese estado de mente donde la esperanza existe y crece, parece ser un abstracto y distante nivel de existencia. Aun así, las situaciones mas difíciles pueden ser transformadas por la esperanza.

Si quien lee estas líneas me conoce bien, entonces sabe que tengo la tendencia de ser un poco pesimista, pero que a la misma vez tengo gran esperanza. Por mucho tiempo este aspecto de mi personalidad me confundió, hasta que un día leí un escrito por Vaclav Havel que dice “La esperanza definitivamente no es lo mismo que el optimismo. No es la convicción que algo va a salir bien, pero la certidumbre que va a tener sentido, no importa el resultado.” Entonces entendí (y felizmente quedo resuelto ese aspecto contradictorio de mi personalidad...¡Ajá!).

A menudo digo que sería nada sin fe. Pues déjeme decirle que no existiría sin la esperanza. Estuviera perdida en el limbo, mis amigos. Por que de vez en cuando, cuando mis circunstancias han parecido ser imposibles, cuando me he enfrentado al miedo, al fracaso, o a una pérdida, la esperanza me ha salvado. Es una de las cosas que más quiero del Adviento. El entender esta época y su significado, me llena de esperanza.

Este tiempo nos ofrece tanto, y aun así fallamos y no apreciamos su verdadero significado, lo que debía ser un tiempo de oración y meditación, se convierte en un frenesí de compras y preparativos de fiestas, resultando en una época de stress en vez de una época de alegría. Pero esto es algo que tenemos el poder de cambiar, si observamos debidamente el Adviento, porque así pudiéramos realizar, entender más completamente el verdadero significado del nacimiento de Cristo y todo lo que esto significa en nuestras vidas.

Así que los reto a todos a colocar nuestra esperanza en Jesús en este Adviento y después, pidiéndole que nos conceda la gracia espiritual que es la esperanza, para que podamos sobrepasar la oscuridad de este mundo, viviendo confiados en Su presencia en nuestros corazones hasta que regrese una vez más. Así que, están listos? De que color será esta temporada para ustedes, ¿negra o morada?

Que Dios los bendiga.

~ Translation courtesy of Barbie Rodriguez

Black or Purple?

ccp@thesoulsentinel.com (Connie Perez) — 2009-12-01T02:00:00Z

   For many people Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the Christmas season. A period during which many of us tend to spend much energy preparing materially for a time of year that should have nothing to do with worldly goods and instead everything to do with spiritual growth. I’m referring to Advent, that time of year liturgically identified by the color purple, which began this past Sunday.

        As Christians we enter Advent to prepare for not just the celebration of Christ’s first coming into this world, but also for a period that looks ahead to His second coming. This means that Advent is very much about hope. Yes, hope seems in pretty short supply nowadays given the darkness of our world, and achieving this state of mind can appear awfully abstract and distant sometimes. But even the grimmest of situations can be transformed through hope.

        If you’re one of those souls who knows me well, then you know that I tend to be a bit of a pessimist, but that I am big on hope. I know, for some time that confused even me, until I read a quote some years ago from Vaclav Havel that says: “Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” Then I got it. (I was so happy to finally understand that seemingly contradictory piece of my personality…Phew!).

        Anyway, I often say that I’d be nothing without faith. Well, let me tell you that I’d be nowhere without hope. Lost in limbo my friends. Because every now and then when certain circumstances have appeared to be insurmountable; when I have faced fear, failure, or loss, hope has transcended all. And I think this is one of the things that I love most about Advent. In my awareness of the season and its meaning, I’m injected with a boost of hope.

        This season offers us so much, yet we fail to appreciate its true significance, as what should be a time of prayerful pondering is jarred by shopping and holiday preparation, becoming more a season of stress than a season of joy. But this can change if we make it a point to properly observe Advent, because that will help us realize more fully what the coming of Christ, and everything which that embodies, means in our lives.

        And so I challenge all of us to place our hope in Jesus this Advent season and beyond, asking Him to grant us the spiritual grace that hope is, so that we can rise above all and live confidently with Him in our hearts until He comes again. Are you up for it? What will this season be about for you, black or purple?

        God bless you.

Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.
Hope opens doors where despair closes them.

Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot.
Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of human nature.

Hope 'lights a candle' instead of 'cursing the darkness.'
Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.

Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.
Hope sets big goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.

Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.
Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that 'the longest journey starts with one step.'

Hope accepts misunderstandings as the price for serving the greater good of others.
Hope is a good loser because it has the divine assurance of final victory.

~ Fr. James Keller, M.M