How to Declare War on Your Negative Thoughts and Win
How to Declare War on Your Negative Thoughts and Win
— Read on godandi.blog/2020/02/07/how-to-declare-war-on-your-negative-thoughts-and-win/
Month: February 2020
How to Develop a Thankful and Joyful Mentality— Be Grateful for Everything!
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla said, “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.” Ingratitude is a cancer that destroys the best of relationships, all previous successes, and precedes despair. In preparation for the season of Lent, I am focusing on developing a better daily habit– that of more graciousness for life both good and bad.
Find Joy— Make a Great (Grateful) List
Let’s do an experiment. Get a timer for look at your watch or clock and time yourself for a minute.
During this 60 seconds list out all of the various things in your life that you’re grateful for. You can type this out or jot it down on a piece of paper. At the end of the minute look at the various things that you’re grateful for below are a list of my items.
Note: For the sake of transparency I listed the things in the order that they popped into my head. The ordering is not a reflection of the priority of gratitude!
- Coffee
- Kids
- Blankets
- Car
- Food
- Books
- Writing
- Computer
- Phone
- Bed
- Internet
- Comic books
- Babies
- Wife
- Faith
- Desks
- Keyboard
- Paper
- Pencil
- Pens
- Heater
- Garage
- Learning/failing
- Lists
Whether your list is larger or smaller than mine does not matter. What I am certain of is that you could certainly think of at least ONE person or thing you are thankful for.
This exercise took only 1 MINUTE!
Imagine performing this simple test of thankfulness every hour of the day. Aristotle once wrote, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Start your life anew with developing a sense of gratitude.
Develop a sense of thankfulness no matter what happens in life. Happiness and peace will soon follow!
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3 Lessons Andy Reid Taught Us After His Super Bowl Win
Whether you are a sports fan or not, this year’s Super Bowl offered us practical advice and hope. Here are three lessons you take away from the big game to help give your hope!
Patience pays off
It took Coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs 21 years to finally win the big game. Over two decades! He previously coached the Philadelphia Eagles where he has sustained excellence in the mid-2000s. His teams advanced to the NFC Championship (the game preceding the Super Bowl) in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Only on the fourth try did he actually make an appeared in the Super Bowl before losing to the New England Patriots.
I always have been a Reid fan. His steady and consistent work ethic always could be seem in his players.
Heart over Talent
According to best-selling author and optimist Simon Sinek, “The ability of a group of people to do remarkable things hinges on how well those people pull together as a team.” All the best talent in the world means nothing if egos cannot be set aside for a greater mission. Look at the hype of the uber-talented Cleveland Browns coming into the 2019 season.
Yes, this time Reid had the best quarterback in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes. But the word I heard most in the post-game interviews was heart. Heart. Passion. Drive. Perseverance. Call it what you want. It is a quality that puts yourself second and others first.
In his March 12, 2016 Jubilee audience, Pope Francis spoke of the meaning of true leadership. He declared,
“Love and charity, are service, helping others, serving others. There are many people who spend their lives in this way, in the service of others. … When you forget yourself and think of others, this is love! And with the washing of the feet the Lord teaches us to be servants, and above all, servants as He was a servant to us, for every one of us.”
Love the people you work with
Andy Reid exemplified love to the entire Kansas City organization. Not just in the Super Bowl win, but throughout his tenure. Sometimes people get cynical when it comes connections are made to sport figures and faith. Kobe Bryant’s death is a prime example. People aren’t perfect. Even larger than life stars. They suffer similar faults you and I do. Pride. Envy. Sloth. Lust. Anger. Greed. Gluttony.
The care and diligence he had for his players was evident. Tangible with his interactions. Hugs and handshakes galore. Credit deflected back onto his coaches and players.
In this case of Andy Reid he put himself last. He served his assistant coaches, players, and fans. When the media asked players what the first thought ran through their minds when the clock reached 00:00, they all exclaimed, “Andy Reid!”
Questions for Reflection
What lessons did you take from the Super Bowl?
How does patience play a role in your success?
Let me know in the comments below.
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Epic Book Review: Shaun McAfee’s I’m Catholic. Now What?
Photo credit: massivephobia.com
As a cradle Catholic and possessing a Master’s in Catholic theology, I am in a sort of unique spot reviewing this title I’m Catholic. Now What? by Shaun McAfee. I don’t have the formal experience of being a convert. I never left the Catholic Church. Nor returned to it. I always remained with Her. In the past, I sometimes took my faith for granted.
My initial concerns about this review did not center on the book itself, but my background. How exactly will I write a qualified review when I am not officially part of the audience for this work?
That was my sentiment before reading. After reading this book I must say this. Buy this book now! Order this for your Church (especially if you work in the parish office). Get it in bulk.
Even though I knew most of the content already, this book helped me fall deeper in love with Catholicism. I wish this book was already when my wife converted. She would have definitely enjoyed it back in 2009.
Without further ado, here are my thoughts on I’m Catholic. Now What?
Bridge from RCIA into Post-Baptismal Life
In the introduction, McAfee tells the reader, “That’s what this book is you’re holding is all about: helping you perfect your soul by living out the fullness of the Christian life. When you’re reading this book, expel the temptation to do the minimum. Be an all-out Catholic!” (p. 15.) I think this message is lost when it comes to bringing new members into the Church. We need not be afraid to welcome them and urge them to FULLY embrace and engage with Catholicism.
The author breaks his book into the following sections: Getting Started; The Sacraments; Mary, the Church, & the Saints; Prayer; Catholic Life; Customs, Rules, & Basic Etiquette, Being a Modern Catholic, Knowing & Defending Your Faith; and Evangelization.
This book serves as a connection from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults to life afterwards. The honeymoon time after baptism and acceptance into the Church is brief.
The safest way to travel over a tumultuous body of water or dangerous terrain is to go on a bridge. McAfee’s book helps new Christians travel with both confidence and delight.
He answers the basic and most logical questions that come up for new converts such as: how do I learn more about the Faith (he provides a concise but detailed explanation of the Catechism and other key resources), precepts of the Church, how to grow in holiness, and the importance of the sacramental life.
Both Depth and Simplicity of Catholicism
Along with providing a road map and bridge for converts to travel, McAfee demonstrates both a depth and simplicity of Catholicism in his book. His short chapters help keep the pace moving. The author does a great job with giving you enough information without watering down the faith or overwhelming the reader.
McAfee sprinkles in personal stories about his journey as a convert and new experiences as a Catholic: attending an ordination Mass or going on a pilgrimage to a holy site. These mini-anecdotes add depth, but also add to the relevance and importance of Catholicism as a long-life journey. It’s not merely a ritual here or there.
Catholic Church teaching is not always easy to tackle or wrap our heads around. I mean there is a supreme treasure trove of over 2 ,000 years to draw from! But at its core the Church has a teaching role and does not change the teaching of Jesus. We simply gain a deeper understanding of the Deposit of Faith over the course of time.
The author’s approach to tackling the “hot-buttoned” issues is not really tackling them. McAfee writes with unity and love in mind. He only states the facts about the Church’s teaching. No judgment. McAfee wants the reader to approach Catholicism with an open heart and mind.
Style— Welcoming to Converts
Along with providing a bridge and simple road map for new converts to the Catholic Church, McAfee does a great job to welcome converts. It felt like he was in my home or at the door of the Church when I read this book.
I think the author’s conversion experience gave him this ability. The best Catholics in my opinion have been converts. Saint Paul. Saint Augustine. Scott Hahn. My wife Jennifer. Reading this book makes be comfortable put Shaun McAfee in that conversation (at least in the same category of Hahn and my wife!).
While I enjoyed the entire book, Chapter 63— What’s the priest wearing? McAfee’s clear and informative writing style. He defines provides a brief description of all the important priestly vestments worn in the Liturgy. This is simply one example of the clarity he provides.
Conclusion
I could seriously write an entire book about the relevance and epicness (no pun intended—he is the founder of EpicPew.com) of I’m Catholic. Now What? but that will take time from you purchasing this book. Go to https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Now-What-Shaun-McAfee/dp/1681923432/ and order your copy today!
Other Simple Catholic book reviews
Book Review on Pope Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth
Book Review: God’s Human Face: The Christ Icon
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