“We can’t always control the people, events or circumstances that surround us, but we can control the way we choose to react to them. No person or thing has the power to make us angry or scared or frustrated-these are simply ways to choose to respond. Instead of feeling resentful that people don’t always act the way we like or circumstances don’t always unfold as we’d prefer, it helps to focus instead on our inner being – and becoming more aware of the thoughts and feelings we want to experience.

When we no longer rely on circumstances to make us happy and choose happiness in spite of them, we soon notice the very things we found objectionable magically fading away. And in their place cascades a glorious deluge of all things deserving and reflective of our good energy.

We can’t always control the world around us, but we can master the one within and create joy and beauty both inside and out.” Lynn Keachie

God is present through it all.

“Our lives are made up of a million moments, spent in a million different ways. Some are spent searching for love, peace, and harmony. Others are spent surviving day to day. But there is no greater moment then when we find that life – with all its joys and sorrows – it’s meant to be lived one day at a time.

It’s in this knowledge that we discover the most wonderful truth of all. Whether we live in a forty room mansion, surrounded by servants and wealth, or find it a struggle to manage the rent month to month, we have it within our power to be fully satisfied and live a life with true meaning.” Regina Hill

God encourages us to take one day at a time.

“Being calm is easy: calm cannot be seen, calm cannot be heard, calm cannot be held.

Calm can be felt both inside and out. It rests in the moments before dawn and just before sleep. A sunset holds us and its calm as the sun slips below our horizon.

You can be calm in your own rising and setting. You can be calm in your every day life.” Pamela Metz

Today is All Saints day.

Agnes and Maria Goretti were only 12 when they were martyred; Anthony of the desert died at 105. God’s Saints come in every size, shape, color and age. Some saints are remembered by name, but most are unknown to us. Known or unknown, honored or forgotten, they have one great thing in common: during their lives, all helped to announce the dominion of God.

The idea of holding one feast to celebrate all holy women and men seems to have been born in the early centuries of Christianity. In the Latin rite, in 844 Pope Gregory IV set November 1 as a date for a festival in honor of all the saints. Why this date was chosen is something of a mystery. Historians tell us that there were pre-Christian feasts on this day: a pagan Roman festival for the fruit harvest, and the Celtic New Year – a celebration of the harvest of the dead.

Whatever reason, All Saints’ Day is a celebration  perfectly suited to autumn. We celebrate God’s great harvest of all people throughout history who have shown love, joy and service to others. That’s why All Saints’ and its holy eve, Halloween, are made bright with autumn fruits vegetables and flowers. All Saints’ Day is begun with a night of trick-or-treating. People give and receive hospitality, the hallmark virtue of the Saints.

The number of canonized saints is relatively small. But today is something far more than a remembrance of the good people who lived on earth. Today we rejoice in the communion of saints. We are part of this communion. All creation is united in the Spirit. We link arms with all the people of every time in place. We look forward to the day of resurrection, the final day, when creation will be transformed. Perhaps our celebration actually hastens that great day.

Happy All Saints’ Day!

“Sometimes life just throws us a curve, and we’re often so taken by surprise that we feel helpless. We forget how capable we are; we forget how to summon our strength, square our shoulders, and find hope. When the unexpected happens it’s good to remember that you don’t have to accept defeat or bow to circumstances. You just need to call on that courageous spirit within you, let your confidence shine through, and remember how capable you are. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of those qualities that keep you strong and moving forward. Remember those other times that tried to get you down but didn’t stand a chance because you are strong and capable and a winner through and through!” Barbara J. Hall

Let us remember that that spirit that we tap into is our God.