psalm 62:5

a visit to my interior castle. (in search of the) Divine Mercy in my soul.

my guide: st. faustina.

791  Hide me, Jesus, in the depths of Your mercy, and then let my neighbor judge me as he pleases.

792  I must never speak of my own experiences.  In suffering, I must seek relief in prayer.  In doubts, even the smallest, I must seek only the advice of my confessor.   I must always have a heart which is open to receive the sufferings of others, and drown my own sufferings in the Divine Heart so that they would not be noticed on the outside, in so far as possible.  I must always strive for equanimity, no matter how stormy the circumstances might be.  I must not allow anything to disturb my interior calm and silence.  Nothing can compare with peace of soul.  When I am wrongfully accused of something, I will not explain myself; if the superior wants to know (195) the truth, whether I was in the right or not, let her find out from others rather than from me.  My concern is to accept everything with a humble inner disposition.

7c38889549d0983935c384b99a11597f

(unshakable) hugs n’ blessings!

thunder rolls into 50!

IMG_1021

Today we toast to you!
Today we toast to you!

Daniel \d(a)-niel\ as a boy’s name is pronounced DAN-yel.

From the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel) meaning “God is my judge”. Daniel was a Hebrew prophet whose story is told in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. He lived during the Jewish captivity in Babylon, where he served in the court of the king, rising to prominence by interpreting the king’s dreams. The book also presents Daniel’s four visions of the end of the world.  He survived two death sentences: (a lions’ den and a fiery furnace.)

In American, Daniel is a masculine name and it is a common given name for males.

IMG_2782
The Captain of our family’s ship!

In Irish the meaning of the name Daniel is: Attractive.

IMG_0052
My Cuppycake!

People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated.  People with this name tend to be passionate, compassionate, intuitive, romantic, and to have magnetic personalities. They are usually humanitarian, broadminded and generous, and tend to follow professions where they can serve humanity. They are romantic and easily fall in love.

IMG_0167
BFF’s.

 Because they are so affectionate and giving, they may be imposed on and may be easily hurt or are sometimes quick-tempered.

1186703_10201328662851896_1674615194_n

The name of Daniel has a most expressive nature, idealistic and inspirational, driven with a strong inner urge to be of service in some way that would uplift humanity as a whole.  However, there is a tendency to assume too heavy a burden of responsibility for others, which leads to worry and undue concern.  People with problems are drawn to them as they recognize him as one who has understanding and gives not only sympathy and comfort but provides also some constructive advice or assistance.  They have a generous quality to their nature, but they must guard carefully against giving more than they receive or they will find themselves doing without because they have helped someone else.  They love people, family, home, and friends and try to be a parent to the whole human race.

And while there are generally stable conditions in their personal life, they may experience some problems through a tendency to be scattering and inattentive to details.

1012815_215848148564935_683518082_n

Happy Birthday, Sweet Man of Mine! You put the ‘best’ in best-friend.

These 50 hugs n’ blessings are just for you today…

IMG_0946
It only took 50 years to look this good!

Music by: Garth Brooks

link. (it’s a good one!)

I’ve had a fascination throughout the years with following Commencement Speeches…and yes, I know it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s just a silly ol’ thing I enjoy!

So far, (and I’m thinking it will stick,) the one delivered at Loyola University’s recent graduation by Ian Brennan, co-creator of the smash-hit tv series Glee, is my favorite for the Class of 2015.

If you too find yourself to be intrigued with this silly ol’ following, “Whatever you decide to do today you must READ AND LISTEN & THEN READ AND LISTEN (again) to this commencement speech!” (That was me talking…to you!)

You will laugh, tear-up, learn and most definitely be inspired!!

Photo: American Magazine
Photo: American Magazine

American Magazine wrote a wonderful article on Mr. Brennan’s speech,  which was delivered on May 16, 2015, to Loyola’s graduates.  A link to the article, including a live video, can be found pasted below.  Don’t skip over it! (it’s a good one!)

http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/ian-brennan-creator-glee-loyola-chicago-dope-popes-being-creative-and-jesuit

I enjoyed it so much that I would encourage you to STOP whatever you may be doing (at this VERY moment) to be instantly inspired!  You won’t be disappointed. Especially if you’re learning The Pope is Dope for the first time! (duh.)

One final personal note to share:

Mr. Brennan references the book Bird by Bird,” by Anne Lamott in his commencement speech.  I have my own dog-earred copy of this book, which is a wonderfully written piece on ‘Some Instruction on Writing and Life.’  Ms. Lamott’s written wisdom continues to stay with me in the webby-cob-webbed parts of my thoughts as I’m writing sometimes!  Long ago, when I first started a true commitment to journaling, this book helped to give me the strength I needed most days to use my own “voice,” without doubt or fear of judgement, (of myself.)  I appreciated the reminder that I still today continue to draw strength from her wisdom as my voice is shared in my bloggity-say-I blog space!

“If something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things. Write toward vulnerability. Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it.  As the writer you have a moral obligation to do this.” -Anne Lamott

images

And should you wish to read this book too, you may borrow my copy!

I promise to send it to you with a big hug n’ blessing!

 “And also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19