Another trip around the sun is here for your humble blogger. It's a blessing to make it this far. In fact, some of the lessons from the past year has been don't take anything for granted and go at your own pace. Time may pass by quickly, but stop to smell the roses sometimes.
-Msranadee
Your humble blogger made it to U.S. Catholic with a review of Matt Kappadakunnel's The Catholic Church and the Struggle for Racial Justice. Check it out at the link below and definitely check out Matt's book.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202408/what-were-reading-this-month-september-2024/
-Msranadee
To be in conversation is to be open to conversion. We can be changed by understanding the other person’s point of view. We can grow in compassion and empathy when we listen to the reality of another person’s life. We can see things differently when we listen to their spoken truth and shared wisdom.Familiarity doesn't have to breed contempt. It can also be the doorstep to deepening relationship. Deepening relationship is the threshold of encounter with another and with the Divine.
Given that we're social beings, it seems logical that listening to and growing in compassion and empathy towards another person doesn't only entail seeing things differently for their sake, but one's own. In other words, there is a plausibility to the idea that one can encounter one's self when encountering another. One opens themself to areas where they may have put themselves in a box. And in getting into the the open space that is encounter, they can deepen relationship with themself as they deepen relationship with the " other", letting go of any boxes that limit.
How many times do we think we know ourselves too well, only to see something we didn't know was inside brought out when encountering someone we've labeled "other"? Of course, this is not talking about situations where real psychological or physical harm can occur. It is worth considering, though, that we might encounter ourselves when we encounter someone who pushes us outside our comfort zone.
(Inspired by Denisio Truitt)
What is luxury for me?
It's
Walking down the street in my favorite pair of shoes
The sun on my skin while enjoying a coffee in a cafe's patio seating
An outfit that makes you feel just right
That song that hits your soul
Good food
Good people
Great conversations
Uniting heart to heart
On that note,
Above all,
1 Corinthians 13 love
It's that time of year again! You're humble blogger's favorite festival, Movement, is going on now. If it hasn't been mentioned already, I love electronic music, and Movement is THE festival for electronic music, period. In celebration, I figure I'd share a couple of tunes on my radar from a couple of artists on this year's roster
AceMoMa-Top if The Mountain
https://youtu.be/IL_rr_DNJwY?si=kAzQCQtPCUMIP1NQ
If this doesn't make you dance, I don't know what will
Channel Tres-Walked in the Room
https://youtu.be/tHioM1FKgH8?si=ube7A0-tmFyvOz9E
Clash of the titans! A hot name in electronic music right now Channel Tres, teamed up with Roman GianArthur of Wondaland to mix up this funky groove.
-msranadee
Yes, the title comes from Matthew 6:28. What struck me as of late was a meditation that highlighted enjoying creation. Immediately, my desk plant Ms. Asia came to mind. She took a few bumps and bruises, but she's surviving, even when I didn't expect her to. Her plant species is known for resisting drought conditions and is amenable to minimal sunlight. That took me to the Bible verse. It's amazing how nature, no matter how much it can't be played with, allows for organisms that can withstand testy environs. For them, its all through no work of their own. They just are and grow, despite what comes. Maybe the meditation was right-creation can teach us a thing or to about being able to withstand difficulties.
Until next time,
MsRanaDee
