Yesterday, October 19 was the observance of the North American Martyrs (sometimes called the Canadian Martyrs), in memory of a group of French Jesuit missionaries killed at various times and locations in what is now upstate New York and Canada around 1642. (We observed this in Canada in September.) In the Gospel for that day, Luke12: 13-21.

In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus responds to a listener asking him to take sides in an  inheritance dispute. The response that Jesus gives, reminds us not to focus our attentions and affections on the accumulation of wealth—the things of this world—but instead to “grow rich in the sight of God.”

I’ve certainly experienced the desire for God to “take sides” in my problems or disagreements with others—up to and including elections, Church developments, and just about anything that gets me fired up.  I’ve also occasionally become what Ignatius would have called “inordinately attached” to my concerns over finances, my hopes for success at work, or similar personal issues.

In the First Principle and Foundation of his Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius points us instead toward those things that matter to God.  To the extent that our gifts and aspirations help us to “develop as loving persons”, we should appreciate and engage in these pursuits. But if they become the center of our lives, they prevent us from finding the inner freedom to respond to God’s invitations.
 
If you are overwhelmed, tired, or need hope, here are 10 things to try today to bring restoration to your life. You might even bring hope to others too!   

1.     Spend the day NOT watching the news.
       I don't care who you are voting for or why but we need to unplug from the news.
      Try it for just today and see how you feel tomorrow: doctor's orders!   

2.     Engage your brain.
      Do something that you love that involves using your brain.
      Read a book or create some art.
      Work in your garden or write in your journal or blog.    

3.    Don't be a troll.
      Yes, we are all nosy Americans and social media has only made this worse.
      We tend to enjoy living under the bridge and merely being a bystander instead of         being engaged.
    Today, get on Facebook and actually COMMENT on other folks' posts.    

4.     Take a nap.
       A short nap will rejuvenate your soul and your body.    

5.     Spread the love.
      Write some thank you cards or emails to people who are awesome in your personal or professional life.
    They probably need it.    

6.  Plan your week.
    Spend 10 minutes with your calendar (home/work) and map out how your week will      unfold.
    This will ease your anxiety if you wake up with a "case of the Mondays."  

7.     Hug or kiss someone.
    Please do not do this to a random stranger at Target and then blame it on me.
    Hug your children or friends.
    Kiss your spouse or significant other. Don't forget to hug your pets -- unless you own a turtle.     
    (Remember your bubble)

8.     Sit in silence.
    The death penalty sounds better to some of you than sitting in silence.
    Monks master this technique, and while we do not wear awesome robes and sandals, we need to shut it and be silent sometimes.
    Spend a minutes in silence today.
    Check your heartbeat before and after this exercise.
    Slow down!   

9.     Listen to music.
    Jam out to some music that you need.
    Maybe you need a lot of beats or maybe you need to chill out in the jazz café.    

10.     Pass this on.  (No explanation needed).       

SOURCE:    Jason Weirich, www.catholicmom.com)