Donna Kulakowski writes...
As the Lenten season approached, I wondered what my Lenten task might be. Exercise more, meditiate more, give up chocolate??? Then, on Ash Wednesday, I was presented with the following quote by Leo Tolstoy, " Everyone thinks about changing humanity; nobody thinks about changing themselves". The following sunday, Brian's sermon challenged each of us to figure out "who am I?" Following these two prompts, I decided that maybe my task for this Lenten season was to figure out how I might be changed or renewed during this season.
I have regarded myself as a compassionate person--I am a therapist, it comes with the job. But, several days after Brian's sermon, I met someone who challenged that belief. I left our encounter feeling that I might have nothing to offer this person and that his problems were largely the result of many bad life choices. How could I help? What could I offer? After much reflection, and prayer, I understood God telling me that we had more in common than I had realized, similar struggles, difficulty in changing behavior. I realized that God was telling me that I could help--by being a compassionate presence, not a judging presence--and that by doing this, I might also become closer to God.
So, my prayer for this Lenten season is that God will guide my journey towards being more loving and compassionate, and will continue to present me with opportunities to grow in love and compassion.
A friend shared this story with me. I feel honored to pass it along to you.
A wise woman was teaching a group of children about life. She said, "Inside me there is a terrible fight going on--as though between two wolves. One is anger, envy, greed, sorrow, regret, and ego. the other is joy, peace, love, kindness, serenity, and compassion. And my children, this same fight is going on inside all of you, inside every person, everywhere."
One of the children asked, " Which wolf will win?"
The wise woman replied, "The one you feed".
Love and light,
Donna
I have regarded myself as a compassionate person--I am a therapist, it comes with the job. But, several days after Brian's sermon, I met someone who challenged that belief. I left our encounter feeling that I might have nothing to offer this person and that his problems were largely the result of many bad life choices. How could I help? What could I offer? After much reflection, and prayer, I understood God telling me that we had more in common than I had realized, similar struggles, difficulty in changing behavior. I realized that God was telling me that I could help--by being a compassionate presence, not a judging presence--and that by doing this, I might also become closer to God.
So, my prayer for this Lenten season is that God will guide my journey towards being more loving and compassionate, and will continue to present me with opportunities to grow in love and compassion.
A friend shared this story with me. I feel honored to pass it along to you.
A wise woman was teaching a group of children about life. She said, "Inside me there is a terrible fight going on--as though between two wolves. One is anger, envy, greed, sorrow, regret, and ego. the other is joy, peace, love, kindness, serenity, and compassion. And my children, this same fight is going on inside all of you, inside every person, everywhere."
One of the children asked, " Which wolf will win?"
The wise woman replied, "The one you feed".
Love and light,
Donna
posted by Melanie at 3:35 PM
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