catechism 08:04:2020

Good Morning!

I trust that all of you are doing well - if you are - grand! - if you're not - that's okay too!😀😃😣😰😵😨

Reminder - if you haven't done so already - please enter your name in the "Comment" space - kindly do this each time you log into the blog post for the class - Thank you 🙏.

Once again, a reminder that when you are on social media (and this interaction is the use of social media for education), we are reminded that this is a public space and that we are called on to be our best selves - so kindly communicate appropriately at all times - in doing so you respecting yourself and all of us. Thank you!

So....... were you able to practice some listening to your self?

            were you able to better name your feelings?

This will take time - and you will become better at it with practice.

Please note that those who like expressing themselves through art, designing (craft/carpentry/designing clothes.......) - these are also means of getting in touch with your feelings - especially when you're working at these QUIETLY !!!

So, remember why we've begun learning to listen to ourselves and our feelings? .........

• because we have been put into a different experience - we have been called upon to keep ourselves at home! For so long ! This is the 15th day - we have 6 more to go!
• but more importantly, learning to listen to ourselves and be in touch with our feelings, name our feelings and appropriately communicate our feelings to others are very important life skills - like skills which will go a long way to helping us in relating to ourselves and others! These are very important skills

So, today, we're also going to start (rather surely continue - because you have learned to be aware of others to a greater or lesser degree 🙏 - but we can always develop the skill) learning to be aware of others - especially those around us!

• Notice the people around you - notice, try not to judge (remember that ego !) - notice
• Hear them.... listen to what they are saying .....not easy..... often we have so much happening within us that we can't notice, hear and listen!
• This is a life-long work on its own - being FREE enough to set aside my own feelings and concerns and noticing others, even letting others speak and then trying to listen to what they mean to say!
• You'll notice that many of us don't say things as we truly experience them - the communication comes out wrong - and then there are problems - we hurt others - we disappoint ourselves, etc., etc. I'm talking to you from my own experience! None of us are alone in this!

How do we do this? Well,

• we first have to listen to ourselves - so keep practicing that - remember that Jesus tells us to "Love your neighbor as yourself" Mt 22: 37 - so we need to love ourselves first!
• but the ego which has been getting stronger since we tried learning how to live in a challenging world, doesn't let us do this easily - so we need to practice another exercise!
• so..... here we go! click onto this .........https://youtu.be/rmwqL34FCjA - remember this? We have over the last 2 years encouraged you to practice this art - kindly make it a life habit - you will have learned an extraordinary life skill!
• now, having given attention to your self - look at those around you - just OBSERVE - don't JUDGE - look lovingly at them - they are the people who love you the most in this world - do you notice how they are feeling about being in this lock down? What are their feelings? What are their concerns? At this stage don't worry about you will do - this is not about asking you to do anything for them - it's about being aware of them - being open to listening to them - understanding them - that's really so much more than doing things for people - the doing will follow. [It's difficult - often doing is easier !!! - but not effective !!!!]

In many Christian Churches - this week - the 5th April to the 12th April - people reflect on the part of Jesus'life around his Suffering, death and Resurrection.

• On Sunday, the 5th April - the reflection is on Jesus'entry into Jerusalem
• You may read the Gospel of St John, Ch 12 vs 12 to 15
• The Sunday at the beginning of this week is called Palm Sunday and traditionally Christians take a procession carrying branches to re-enact that scene.
• What is the branch a symbol of - the palm tree (common tree in Jesus'land) - it was a way to give a big wave to someone the people loved and respected.
• I may not have a palm to wave to Jesus this Palm Sunday - how can I show Jesus that I respect and love him and that I believe in Him and the life He lived?

We end by your listening to this video - could cheer you up 😀😀

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=23ef4829b6&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1662465091390929655&th=1712433147d7faf7&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=171243292ad442a7e1c1

(this will download onto your device to play - you can delete it after you've listened to it !)

Take care ! abide the instructions given by the Government as well as the church to eradicate Covid 19 from this beautiful world.

see you all after Easter!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you.