"PEACE AND LOVE" IS THE ONLY WAY

    It has been 9 years since the tragedy of 9/11/2001. Yesterday brought back memories and sadness for what was lost that day and for what we humans still have not yet learned. "Peace and Love" is the only way. I could write many things about what is and isn't happening both here in the US and around the world, but that would only create further debate and division. I pray for those who cannot see beyond their fear, anger and hatred, for they are prisoners to a horrible pain. I prefer to be free as I trust in peace and love. So today I send out Peace and Love to all, in hopes that a simple prayer will touch everyone's heart. Join me now in taking into our hearts the words of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

 

And to help us to practice and spread Peace and Love to others, remember these words written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

              People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. 
Succeed anyway.

           If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.