麻豆约拍

From Father Brian D鈥橝rcy a Catholic Passionist priest

I sat at my laptop to write something helpful for today; nothing came to mind. I prayed for guidance and all I got was Oscar Wilde: 鈥淚 have to talk about nothing,鈥� he once quipped, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the only thing I know something about.鈥�

聽It鈥檚 difficult to talk about nothing, but knowing how to cope when I seem to be able do nothing is, for me, the key to a fulfilled life.

There are people who believe that in times of doubt, the best thing to do is the right thing; the next best thing to do is the wrong thing and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

Now, when I hit the wall, I get to work immediately; I wash the car, clean my room, change the bed sheets or wash my clothes 鈥� anything to get started. I write a letter, make a phone call, go on a prayer - walk, visit the sick in hospitals. It鈥檚 the little, everyday chores which get me started again.

聽Start by doing what鈥檚 necessary; then do what鈥檚 possible and before you know it you鈥檙e doing the impossible, I was taught as a youngster 鈥揳nd it鈥檚 true.

Centuries ago there was a club in London called the Annaburg Clockmakers Guild. They had unusual and strict rules, one of which was particularly amusing. If one member struck another member in anger, he forfeited a week鈥檚 pay. If he attempted to hit another member but missed, he forfeited two week鈥檚 pay. It鈥檚 the mind of the clockmaker isn鈥檛 it? Failing to be perfect is the ultimate sin.

But that鈥檚 precisely the attitude which destroys us. Life鈥檚 not like that. Our best teacher is our last mistake. Keep on keeping on and you鈥檒l learn on the job. It鈥檚 like riding a bicycle, playing golf or learning to swim 鈥� You learn to do it better by doing it repeatedly. The secret is: don鈥檛 give up and pray for a balanced life.

Lord help me today to be both serious and happy, both hard-working and relaxed, both passionate and at peace.