Confession should be one of the easiest things for a practicing Catholic. Nope, it just isn't.
And, tonight, it was even more difficult because we didn't know the "rules of the game". That led to a full-blown panic attack while I should have been examining my conscience. I was ready to bolt but I didn't. Believe me, it was truly a struggle. Couldn't breathe, got light-headed, felt as though my limbs were locked. Is this one of the ways that I can easily be attacked?
Yes, I firmly believe in spiritual warfare and I have been in the midst of the war for many years now. There have definitely been casualties along the way.
“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.” ― John Adams
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Turning 60
I have come to a realization that this is a big year in one's life.
There have been too many deaths (and life-threatening illnesses) occurring around me as of late for me to feel the least bit smug in thinking that I still have all the time in the world to accomplish the things that I had wanted to before my time on this earthly plane comes to an end. I'm not in a depression (don't worry about that) but I am becoming more aware that if there is something that I want to check off that bucket list, then I had better start doing it!
So, 60 years old - originally, this was the year that the girls and I had planned on going to Ireland. It isn't going to happen this year. Then we talked about going to Mackinac Island and staying in the Grand Hotel - that isn't going to come to fruition either. What other items/destinations are on that bucket list? El Camino (which is probably not the wisest choice for someone suffering from both asthma and arthritis) and Seoul, South Korea. Any other destinations would be choices due to a desire to see family and friends.
My big brother ran a half-marathon on his 60th birthday and his daughter ran with him. He's been running more ever since - choosing to travel back to the Bluegrass and even to Houston to run with our distant cousin and schoolmate. He has bought some show dogs and is returning to the show ring. And, he and his wife bought updated camping equipment so that they can go off together. Good choices for him.
Looking at my interests at this stage of my life: what does it truly mean to be Catholic? how can I be the best mom and Grammie? what do I enjoy studying? (genealogy, Korean language, biology, the Bible) what is my favorite music? what television shows do I enjoy? where will my travel desires take me next? should I work on improving my own music-playing skills?
I'm thinking that I need to step up my Korean studies - it really would be fun to be a translator (a dream once upon a time ago when Russian language was my major in college) and where can I be immersed in the Hallyu wave without going to Korea this year? KCON! (a weekend of concerts, fan meetings, Korean foods, makeup and beauty fashions, K-dramas, etc.). LA is the location of the original and it lasts for three full days while NY is going to host its third for a total of two days. I have never been to California. The deciding factor should be the line-up but I might have someone to share the experience with if I head out to LA. (Addendum: CNBLUE is going to be in NY! Cancelled the LA plans and am heading to NY -- along with my fellow Boice, Jannie from LA!)
We want to take an ancestral "tour" since it turns out Massachusetts is where my ancestors landed when they came to the New World. I will delve much deeper into my roots and (thanks to my oldest and her husband) I now know what heritage my DNA contains. More Irish than I thought I would be but ecstatic that I am - I always identified with the Irish more than the British - turns out it's because I truly am more Irish! 😄
Back to making my rosaries - maybe this is a "ministry" of prayer and intercession that I should be pursuing. Will work on those this weekend - want to get several made before Easter.
I've also decided to pamper myself a bit more. I got myself a "bling" ring in the fall and now I am starting to think that I might want to add to my jewelry collection. Also, I'm enjoying the Hallyu merchandise that I have obtained - ordered one last item before KCON (a one of a kind book being released out of Japan about my Ultimate Bias, Kim Jae Joong).
There have been too many deaths (and life-threatening illnesses) occurring around me as of late for me to feel the least bit smug in thinking that I still have all the time in the world to accomplish the things that I had wanted to before my time on this earthly plane comes to an end. I'm not in a depression (don't worry about that) but I am becoming more aware that if there is something that I want to check off that bucket list, then I had better start doing it!
So, 60 years old - originally, this was the year that the girls and I had planned on going to Ireland. It isn't going to happen this year. Then we talked about going to Mackinac Island and staying in the Grand Hotel - that isn't going to come to fruition either. What other items/destinations are on that bucket list? El Camino (which is probably not the wisest choice for someone suffering from both asthma and arthritis) and Seoul, South Korea. Any other destinations would be choices due to a desire to see family and friends.
My big brother ran a half-marathon on his 60th birthday and his daughter ran with him. He's been running more ever since - choosing to travel back to the Bluegrass and even to Houston to run with our distant cousin and schoolmate. He has bought some show dogs and is returning to the show ring. And, he and his wife bought updated camping equipment so that they can go off together. Good choices for him.
Looking at my interests at this stage of my life: what does it truly mean to be Catholic? how can I be the best mom and Grammie? what do I enjoy studying? (genealogy, Korean language, biology, the Bible) what is my favorite music? what television shows do I enjoy? where will my travel desires take me next? should I work on improving my own music-playing skills?
I'm thinking that I need to step up my Korean studies - it really would be fun to be a translator (a dream once upon a time ago when Russian language was my major in college) and where can I be immersed in the Hallyu wave without going to Korea this year? KCON! (a weekend of concerts, fan meetings, Korean foods, makeup and beauty fashions, K-dramas, etc.). LA is the location of the original and it lasts for three full days while NY is going to host its third for a total of two days. I have never been to California. The deciding factor should be the line-up but I might have someone to share the experience with if I head out to LA. (Addendum: CNBLUE is going to be in NY! Cancelled the LA plans and am heading to NY -- along with my fellow Boice, Jannie from LA!)
We want to take an ancestral "tour" since it turns out Massachusetts is where my ancestors landed when they came to the New World. I will delve much deeper into my roots and (thanks to my oldest and her husband) I now know what heritage my DNA contains. More Irish than I thought I would be but ecstatic that I am - I always identified with the Irish more than the British - turns out it's because I truly am more Irish! 😄
Back to making my rosaries - maybe this is a "ministry" of prayer and intercession that I should be pursuing. Will work on those this weekend - want to get several made before Easter.
I've also decided to pamper myself a bit more. I got myself a "bling" ring in the fall and now I am starting to think that I might want to add to my jewelry collection. Also, I'm enjoying the Hallyu merchandise that I have obtained - ordered one last item before KCON (a one of a kind book being released out of Japan about my Ultimate Bias, Kim Jae Joong).
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