tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73541930770326252692024-03-12T21:01:50.760-07:00Embraced By BlissThe tales of a Robyn: Life from a hatchling's viewRobynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-3111274122126131672017-02-22T21:45:00.000-08:002017-02-22T21:45:12.388-08:00The State of Becoming<div>
Sharp reminder: the Christ image we feed ourselves and how subjective our prayers can become. Am I thinking of others before myself? Am I reiterating the past or trying to spell out the future? God asks that we *be with Him and to trust Him in that we are exactly where we need to be.<br />
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There is a dichotomy between contentment and complacence just as there is a difference between being patient and being passive. Patience is actively listening to know when to act or respond whereas passivity reverberates inactivity and an uncaring attitude. Contentment means finding peace and joy in our daily lives as well as challenging our comfort zone so as not to become complacent. <br />
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We are always in this state of becoming: stripping down flaws and growing in humility; growing in confidence of our skills and purpose; redefining our daily habits. We are always seeking to understand the self: the rational mind that logically analyzes each problem and aggressively pushes onward and up; the animalistic mind that is blind to reason and would prefer to remain static, to keep stemming and returning to comfort/pleasure. Then, there is the Will that can choose between right and wrong; light and dark; positive and negative. There are these intense moments when we say, feel, or do something that we do not expect of ourselves. Nothing brilliant, but the excess cobwebs are no longer clouding judgement and the images become clearer, sharper. Sometimes we crave stimulation, but our souls require peace. Time and solitude can be healing in order for our GABA neurotransmitters to inhibit and clean up all of the excess Glutamate excitatory neurons from overthinking. Are we constantly giving and growing? But amidst the busy schedules there is also a need for solitude and rekindling a friendship with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself and be gentle when uncovering wounds. Sometimes I think that I am doing my best, but I can be better. I hope so because the best is yet to be. <br />
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Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-88724107842728611312015-08-22T10:47:00.001-07:002015-08-22T10:55:04.548-07:00Rome Sweet HomeThere is something so freeing and releasing about a blank slate. A new beginning. A foreign feeling of being somewhere that I don't quite belong, but also feeling inclined to stop and lean my ear against another's heart, understanding the rythym and beat of that particular heart, the pain and and the joys, the constants and inconstants. At the same time realizing that culture, space, time and travel do not make a difference for the human heart beats with the same constancy of love. Every time I reflect in a church ornamented with the most beautiful paintings, frescos, and sculptures, I am reminded that the heart is the same familiar beat I hear every time I pray in front of the Tabernacle whereever I may be - school, home, abroad - and I am reminded that home is where He resides.<br />
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The world is a massive massive place my friends and as my heart is taking in all of the wonders and history, my spirit within me feels smaller, but also more invincible. There are moments of doubts and worries of being on my own, but that is exactly how I feel in this life.<br />
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I feel alive and new.<br />
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That was written while I was abroad. Now that I am starting my senior year, I am taking some time to reflect on some of the messages imprinted on my heart from only 1 month ago when I was in Italy. <br />
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The world is big and beautiful and, at night, scary. Use reason. Trust God. Don't just rely on faith to feel good, rather, expand, give, hurt, while seeking healing and deep, immesurable peace. <br />
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Know yourself and change your habits to probe deeper and deeper until your conscience is formed the right way. <br />
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Review your journey. The story that led you to become the person who you are today. It is a story of fallenness but also grace. Praise God for the grace He has given you. Thank Him everyday. <br />
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Make the most of time. Time is a gift to form relationships. Don't take the people in your life for granted because one day your journey and their journey will change.<br />
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Yes, change is good, but change is hard. Change is good when you know that God is leading you to become someone you couldn't be without His grace. <br />
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Never stop growing and serving and dying to self. The Lord is going to use you in so many beautiful ways. If only you could see yourself as Christ sees you. <br />
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Embrace beauty, embrace truth, and embrace the cross. <br />
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Rome, Rome,<br />
How you remind me of home. <br />
I taste sweet Heaven's gates<br />
There is so much to see<br />
In the goodness that surrounds me.<br />
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Shattered hearts, broken souls<br />
Made anew, to be used as vessels.<br />
Torch of truth blaze the way<br />
Til our hearts are numb<br />
And our hair is grey.<br />
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Cloaked in mystery<br />
Shrouded by humanity<br />
Yet, internally, there is such chemistry<br />
A heart of gold lies within<br />
Being purged from a world of sin.<br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-17226170321151627562015-02-03T20:19:00.000-08:002017-03-16T12:13:12.422-07:00ForgivnessHow am I called to forgive?<br />
Do I forgive others in my life now?<br />
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These are questions parading my mind that have been enhanced by bible study this week. <br />
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Matthew 18:22<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I have heard from a priest in confession that forgiveness is <b>constant</b>. This is a hard truth because sometimes I want to say that I have fully forgiven someone, but I soon realize how flawed I am. It is hard to forgive someone and let go. But we are also called to learn from our mistakes.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">How are we called to forgive in our day to day life? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">God loves and forgives us as shown by the love He poured out on the cross for us.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">But in order to receive God's forgiveness, we have to choose to accept the love He gives us. We also have to repent from the times that we have rejected God and disrupted our relationship with Him through sinning. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I wonder if our heart's capacity to forgive is directly proportional to our capacity to love. </span></span>Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-56504991660354361762015-01-27T22:25:00.000-08:002015-01-27T22:27:38.125-08:00Suffering and HealingThis week started with a household talk about healing. I almost didn't go to the meeting. I had just been at a soccer team leadership meeting and all I could think about was the homework I needed to complete. But I felt a nudge so I went and I am always happier when I listen to my intuition. A senior talked about the 3 different levels of healing that occur on the physical, psychological, and spiritual level. I am not proficient in all of the levels, but for the most part physical wounds are the tangible wounds that we see and can pray for, such as "Pray for Bob's broken foot." The psychological wounds cut deeper and have to do with emotions, obsessions, or lies that we believe about ourselves. Spiritual wounds are the deepest wounds and require spiritual direction, confession, and invoking the name of Jesus to break the bonds. During the discussion that followed, one of the freshman made a comment that stuck with me. She said that sometimes we hold onto our scars or suffering because we have formed our identity in them. But <b>we are called to form our identity in Christ</b>, not in our crosses. I came home that night and experienced healing through a deep conversation with one of my dearest friends. God is just so good. <br />
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I believe that the most intimate encounter I can have with another person is to understand how Christ is working through their lives through personal suffering. Whenever I have been vulnerable and told a friend about a personal matter, whether that suffering is from eons ago or from a recent experience, I have always felt like I was sharing the deepest part of me.<b> </b>This is partly true because sharing our personal journey requires vulnerability and maturity. Intimacy is misguided, though, if<b> </b>my identity resides more in suffering rather than listening to Christ. He calls me to heal from suffering in order to glorify Him and even help others heal from wounds as well. <br />
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At bible study the next day, the bible verse we focused on was John 1:1-18 about the light overcoming the darkness. The topic of suffering came up again and the discussion focused predominately on how God always brings good out of something. How sometimes we feel as though we are in the dark and that changing our perspective of suffering to have purpose can help us. How God can use our journey to help someone else going through a similar experience and draw people together. <br />
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Then, at mass tonight, the topic of suffering came up again in the homily. A Eucharistic adorer and personal friend of the abbot, Marty, is in his final hours after battling ALS for many years. Marty wrote a book called "Joy and Suffering: My Life with ALS" that I hope to read one day. As the abbot explained the biological process of ALS, when all the muscles of the body shut down, I revisited my good friend Parkinson's disease and the neurological implications that PD leaves the patient with. PD is such a personal battle for me because my Dad was diagnosed with onset PD almost 10 years ago. This past summer my dad received a Deep Brain Stimulation surgery that has greatly increased his daily functionality. But the progression of the disease will continue, even though his symptoms have become much more manageable. The homily reminded me of how a disease weighs on a family and also draws them closer together. <br />
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I don't know if I consciously choose to define my personal journey as my family's suffering with PD, but I know that subconsciously it affects my friendships. The important lesson to remember, however, is not to be so attached to personal suffering, but to continue to work on breaking that bond and focusing on Christ's eyes. It isn't about the amount of suffering someone has experienced, but on growing closer to Christ. <br />
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Speaking of Christ's eyes, today I found out that Bl. Titus Brandsma is my patron saint of the year on the same day as the memorial of the liberation of Auschwitz 70 years ago. Bl. Titus was a priest, studied philosophy, and was tortured as a medical experiment and killed at Dachau concentration camp. He wrote an awesome prayer contemplating Our Lord's eyes.<br />
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Before an Image of Jesus Crucified</h3>
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Dear Lord, when looking up at Thee, I see Thy loving eyes on me; Love overflows my humble heart, Knowing what a faithful friend Thou are.</div>
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A cup of sorrow I foresee, Which I accept for love of Thee, Thy painful way I wish to go;The only way to God I know.</div>
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My soul is full of peace and light;Although in pain, this light shines bright. For here Thou keepest to Thy breast.</div>
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My longing heart to find there rest. Leave me here freely all alone, In cell where never sunlight shone. Should no one ever speak to me,</div>
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This golden silence makes me free! For though alone, I have no fear; Never wert Thou, O Lord, so near. Sweet Jesus, please, abide with me!</div>
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My deepest peace I find in Thee</div>
Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-11671993104999209972015-01-18T11:53:00.001-08:002015-01-31T20:51:43.802-08:00The Beauty of PriestsIf there is anything I've learned in the past year, is that God works in mysterious and, often, comical ways. Only He could orchestrate for ordinary, very human and full-of-fault men to participate intimately in sharing the Body of Christ. They spend their days conversing with God and sharing Him with those entrusted to their care. <br />
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These priests have been such a good influence in my spiritual journey. Not only are they busy with ministering to the sick and dying, but they still care for others and are attentive to the needs of others. The highlight of my Christmas break was encountering Christ through friendships with priests who know me and my family so well. I love the monks on campus and they often have very pertinent teachings. I especially connect with the monks or priests on campus who intentionally minister to the students and participate in academic or sport functions. Br. Edward is a good friend to me because he has taken me under his wing and enabled me to open up about my struggles to him. There is also something beautiful about rekindling old friendships with priests who have stuck with me through my formation and transition from highschool to college. I think Fr. Vander-Woude just looked at me and laughed because he knows me. he told me that he has been asking about me from friends. How silly of me to think that he would forget. He still exudes care and holiness and I think he sees my mom in me. Oh goodness! "Your mom, she's something else." <br />
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Fr. Larry has such a grace of remembering as well. He always knows just what I need to hear and confession with him is SO GOOD. And just the mutual friendships his spirituality has lead me to discover is something that only God could orchestrate, like my summer physical therapy internship. Such a blessing and privilege to go to confession with this good man. And he also understands the broader picture of me because he knows my family and our values. <br />
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Fr. Paul just knows my family so well and he has walked through the journey, even from a distance, of our struggles and joys. He has chosen to participate in the journey with us because of his loving personality. What a blessing it is to know these priests! And his friendship is such that he still opens up about his personal relationship with Christ.<br />
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A popular event on campus is Theology on Tap where priests have a relaxed discussion with students and answer questions. Oh and alcohol is also involved for those 21 and up so it's a pretty sweet deal. The most recent priest talked about the difference between confession, spiritual direction and spiritual counseling. Confession is when we confess sins and receive the grace of forgiveness. Spiritual direction is accountability and receiving recommendations for self-improvement in the spiritual life. These include telling the spiritual director of one's struggles with sins while also forming a game plan of how to avoid sinning in the future. On the other hand, spiritual counseling is much more psychologically based and goes through the struggle of removing a sin by expressing the origin of where the struggle resulted from in child hood. It was very enlightening to distinguish between these various spiritual aides. <br />
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God speaks to us by consoling our hearts through the twists and turns of life. Sometimes I am fearful of the change that God is directing towards my heart and would prefer to assert my own independence. But He calls and soothes me back down toward him. Then, there are times when His hand is very obvious: through conversing with others, spiritual reading, and things He brings up in our hearts. We just have to have the perspective to see His work underlying EVERYTHING and to grow in awe of Him. Like Fr. Kirby said, God's ways are strange to those who are strangers to God.<br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-44475586808594219472014-10-07T21:10:00.002-07:002018-02-24T09:59:35.415-08:00VulnerabilityLife can be measured by heart to hearts because that is where the true, the good, and the beautiful blooms. Heart to hearts are when your aching soul opens up to another aching soul and the exquisite delight of God's grace becomes prevalent. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to our very core, nothing but growth and change occurs from within. Life giving love is the "expansive" feeling of giving of ourselves and receiving another's empathy. Only selfless love can stem from such an intimate encounter because we begin to see Christ's image in another soul. <br />
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"To love another person is to see the face of God."<br />
- Les MiserablesRobynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-20392540198023012802014-10-07T18:46:00.000-07:002015-08-22T10:50:06.262-07:00Self - ReflectionDear world, aka myself,<br />
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I feel like I write on this blog when I want to professionally publish any philosophical musings I have. These philosophical musings usually occur when I need to study and suddenly I just have to write down every single thought - good or bad- on a nearby scrap of paper or else I will dieeeee. How cool is it to discover hidden depths through writing that you didn't know that you possessed before? God is so at work in our day to day lives. He is so cool. </div>
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I love reviewing my internal growth through writing. I also have so much to continue to grow in. He is always so so so good. </div>
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Recently, I have been feeling very imperfect, but yet I still have this overwhelming sense of worthiness. I know that I am worthy of greatness and excellence and virtue, but I am so very imperfect and have very limited means of attaining these goals. <br />
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And yet, to be imperfect is to be human. I am learning to compartmentalize work and play in order to not have an emotional response when someone constructively criticizes my work, instead of viewing them as criticizing my worth. That's part of being a student athlete who has deadlines and dates that I have to attend to. <br />
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Edith Stein has wise words for women in her Essay "The Separate Vocations of Man and Woman According to Nature and Grace." She says that a woman's professional activity "counterbalances the risk of submerging herself all too intimately in another's life and thereby sacrificing her own; however, an exclusive preoccupation with her professional activity would bring the opposite danger of infidelity toward her feminine vocation." There has to be balance in a woman's life or else she will be too involved in someone else's personal life and forget about her own life or if she is too involved in her professional life than she can neglect her duties as a wife and mother. In order to achieve this balance of thinking objectively while understanding that feminity is a gift, women must go to God and "surrender themselves completely into the Lord's hands." (78). Have I mentioned before how much I love Edith Stein? She gets it. I just want to have her over to my room, drink tea and discuss masculinity and feminity. </div>
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Junior year has been pretty hectic so far. There is a general shift in how I present and view myself this year academically and socially and I am still adjusting to my journey and season of life. Actually, junior year has been heavier and more serious, but also so much fun. There is less awkwardness, but more pressure because you are pretty set in your major and have to work through it. </div>
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But there is also this internal peace in knowing that I am where I need to be in my life and that I have the ability to take risks and grow in confidence and grace. There is still a blessed openness to God's Will. </div>
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And now I really do need to get back to studying,</div>
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TTFN! </div>
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Robyn</div>
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Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-43216572318818243812014-06-02T19:28:00.002-07:002016-01-26T22:36:22.022-08:00Chemistry When I was in high school, I decorated notebooks in the hopes of organizing my life. But I also found that I enjoyed the subject more when I added artistic appeal. It makes me smile, but Chemistry was one of those subjects and now that I am enduring summer classes at community college, I've taken the old highschool chemistry off of the dusty shelf and found this poem on the back of it. I LOVE this poem and I can't help but think of how the things that touched us greatly in our formative years stay within us and keep singing in our souls as we journey to adulthood.<br />
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Peace,<br />
Robyn<br />
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Barter</h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;"><span class="author" style="color: #4d493f; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;">BY <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/sara-teasdale" style="color: #043d6e; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">SARA TEASDALE</a></span></span><br />
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Life has loveliness to sell,</div>
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All beautiful and splendid things,</div>
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Blue waves whitened on a cliff,</div>
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Soaring fire that sways and sings,</div>
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And children's faces looking up</div>
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Holding wonder like a cup.</div>
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Life has loveliness to sell,</div>
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Music like a curve of gold,</div>
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Scent of pine trees in the rain,</div>
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Eyes that love you, arms that hold,</div>
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And for your spirit's still delight,</div>
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Holy thoughts that star the night.</div>
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Spend all you have for loveliness,</div>
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Buy it and never count the cost;</div>
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For one white singing hour of peace</div>
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Count many a year of strife well lost,</div>
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And for a breath of ecstasy</div>
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Give all you have been, or could be.</div>
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Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-68046012940390988642014-01-03T14:51:00.003-08:002015-11-12T08:34:49.930-08:00A Woman's WorthThis post comes from a very deep place within me that I'd like to share with my sisters out there. I think the topic of worth has been a theme for my semester and I think it also applies strongly to men too, but in a different way. But since I am a woman I'm only going into the woman's side of things. <br />
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This past semester I've seen the need of a woman discovering her worth and placing her being within her Creator's tender arms only and not in man's. I've seen this great need around me of women who have so much love to give, but are not finding the proper outlet and thus experience loneliness. Or maybe we have been hurt and our trust is harder to win over and we experience bitterness. Sometimes it has nothing to do with being hurt and everything to do with our human failings like being prideful or selfish and not trusting God. Being a woman is hard, I think, because we don't understand our nature and God's plan for our lives. But we know that deep within our being there is this desire to care for others by nourishing old friends and developing new friendships. We are carriers of light and life designed to spread warmth, joy, and love. We are literally created to nourish a life within our wombs and we also have a unique way of developing souls. A mother has this ability to perceive and understand her child like no other. Even though being a lady and nourishing others are very broad, general concepts, I believe that a woman has a unique capability in drawing out another's soul, of probing and uncovering deeper layers because our nature seeks to understand. <br />
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Whether society likes it or not, men and women think differently, but we are made to work together beautifully. I think I learned that being a woman requires being submissive sometimes or being a listener while seeking to understand and delving deeper into another's journey. All of us experience brokenness because we are not perfect! But here's the thing - we will never be perfectly emotionally satisfied in this life. Only God can and should fulfill our heart's desire because as St. Augustine says we are restless until we rest in thee.<br />
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But how do we place our trust in God alone? How do we place our core being into his bloody, scourged arms? That, my friends, is called the journey of life. It is a good and honorable challenge to daily deny ourselves and continue to seek and strive toward a greater unity with God because that is where we will feel the most secure. We will fall, but hopefully, with God''s grace, we will also rise. But sometimes outside forces distort and disrupt our ability to grow closer to God. Sometimes we are called to bear these crosses silently and sometimes we are required to seek healing by exposing our wounds to others. God will bless our efforts, even when we feel like they amount to nothing. He alone has the power to grant healing and mercy. The closer we lean God, the more we are our true selves and can give ourselves to others.<br />
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It is so important that if you or someone you love is going through doubt and brokenness that you can lead them toward the light. It is also important to share your brokenness with those you trust because He can work through those wiser than us to help grant healing. The beautiful sacrament of confession offers so much healing when you need release from sins that are weighing you down. <br />
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I'm praying for all my girls out there who doubt their worth! You are a daughter of the King. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-42577384403066426972013-12-03T12:07:00.000-08:002015-01-31T21:01:45.902-08:00Silence Recently, the topic of silence has really been placed in my heart. For some reason that I just can't grasp, I have felt this pull towards silence. To just <b>be</b> in silence. Even as I'm writing this, I have background music because that's how foreign this concept of silence is! <br />
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But seriously (here's where I turn off the music), a true indicator of spiritual health is the ability to be comfortable with silence. And there are a number of reasons why silence can be uncomfortable. In a social setting, an uncomfortable silence indicates that you do not click with the setting. But sometimes pushing through a seemingly initial awkward encounter and discovering the deeper layers of the journey lends great perspective to our lives. Also, if you play it off, silence does not have to be awkward at all - you just have to learn how to control your tone and responses to be an open listener. Silence, when learning about something or someone, is a useful skill to adapt to because it shows that you are truly grasping for understanding. How often in the confusion of our lives do we forget the grace of appreciating a moment of solitude and tranquility as a reflection of God at work in our lives? Or that sometimes silence is required to think independently and appreciate something or someone?<br />
<br />
And so I will leave you with some wise words from Audrey Assad:<br />
"You liberate me from my own noise and my own chaos/ from the chains of a lesser law you set me me free / in the silence of the heart you speak / and it is there that I will know you and you will know me"<br />
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Silence and mediation in front of the Eucharist is, perhaps, the moment when God enters our spirit and liberates us from sin. He heals our wounds and connects our passion with our reason, our head and heart, so that we can listen to Him and discern His Will. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-85326272633485300752013-09-21T13:10:00.000-07:002015-01-31T21:02:03.156-08:00Busy but goodI've been back at Belmont Abbey for over a month now. Round 2 is going well, but is also very different from last year. <br />
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First of all, playing soccer has got to be the biggest change from last year. It's monumental that I can practice and play and feel part of the team and I'm so grateful for that. But there are also challenges that come with playing, mainly time management and playing time. I've been working hard though and trying to stay optimistic and I have learned a lot, especially since we are playing three in the back instead of the usual four. I've also had a rocky time with switching between First team and reserve team, but I think that I'm settling in my role on the reserve team better. Being on reserve team isn't ideal, but I am having fun and I love coach Jeff because he is just so charismatic and positive. And I'm really bonding with my team in a different way than last year when I couldn't play. <br />
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Being a biology major is also a major difference than last year when I was an education major. Whew, let me tell you that it is A LOT more work, but also so rewarding and exciting. I really love my biology classes. The balance biology classes and honors classes is challenging and interesting since bio is memorizing intensive while the honors is reading, understanding, and writing intensive.<br />
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Relationships with friends are also different, but I think even better than last year. I don't have as much free time as last year though, but it's not so bad. This year I get to build on a foundation from last year, which is so cool. <br />
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I also figured out this year how important it is to take a break from people and my busy schedule to journal and reflect on my life so that's why I don't always update this blog. I think that journaling is super important for my psychological and spiritual well being. Writing has become pretty important to me, mainly because I love talking haha. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-85984254673660984432013-09-21T12:53:00.005-07:002013-09-21T12:57:34.810-07:00This is why I love love love Audrey AssadYou know when you play Audrey Assad's new album "Fortunate Fall" and start tearing up that its good. Not only good as in musically, but good as in there is something about Audrey that touches my soul. She describes my deepest longings that I haven't even realized yet or put to words. "Fortunate Fall" showcases a very different sound from Audrey's normal more upbeat tunes. There is something mysterious, hopeful, and woeful about this album that completely touches another part of me. <br />
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"Fortunate Fall" describes the how lucky we are that through original sin Jesus came and redeemed man. It almost sounds strange to say that the fall was good, but because of original sin God became man. As the album title, Fortunate Fall expresses the theme of the album, which is redemption and deliverance. But the album also reminds me of how God is with us through every step of our lives, challenging and directing us towards our ultimate end. <br />
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"Good to Me" makes me cry. This song reminds me of her former songs like "Lament" or "Carry Me" but touches a different aspect of suffering. It touches that optimistic side of when we are going through hell and all we can do is look up to God and say, "Yes, Lord you are still good to me." "The foxes in the vineyard will not steal my joy" - I can't even say how pertinent this line is. <br />
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"I Shall Not Want" strikes the misunderstandings of this world and our desire to be completed. To be delivered. <br />
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So go listen to Audrey Assad! She excels musically in making sacred music/chant attractive to the ears. "Fortunate Fall" is definitely an album that could be reflected on and embraced in Adoration. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-43027424378791451652013-08-08T19:58:00.001-07:002013-08-08T20:19:55.007-07:00The summer before sophomore year....This summer has been incredible. Wowza.<br />
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AHH<br />
GAHHHH<br />
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Today. This week. This summer. This year. My life. All of it has been a horrible, perfect mess. Yes, my life is so perfect right now. I have like zero responsibilities at the moment. It's beautiful! All I do is plan my social life, make money, have fun, play with kids, eat like no body's business, and just embrace life.<br />
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Yes, summer has most definitely been about embracing my bliss. <br />
<br />
But I'm super excited to share that I have a new bliss/passion in my life and that new bliss comes from volunteer interning at a Physical Therapy clinic a few minutes from home.<br />
On my first day, I just stood and observed while the PTA's, PT's and OT's did their thing. Then, I got more comfortable with the staff and patients and then I was everywhere, learning and watching and LOVING every moment of it. It was just such a positive environment to be a part of - to be intimately linked to someone's healing. I mean, how much more Christ-like is that?<br />
One of my favorite memories of this PT clinic has got to be when an elderly lady tells me about her passions in life like her family and their dreams, then looks me in the eyes and tells me that she knows I'll do great things. How awesome would it be to interact with patients like that everyday?<br />
The reason why I fell in love with PT is that it incorporates everything I am. Seriously though - it has the emotional and social connection that I need. It gives me the intellectual challenges and fine tunes problem solving skills. Physical therapy is both psychological and spiritual in that you are treating a patient whose body might be injured, but you are also dealing with the patient's suffering. But it also incorporates my athleticism with hands on activities, stretches, understanding and working with the body. Its in touch with my feminine roles of nurturing and taking care of others. It works with my personality in that I love to take charge, direct, and teach others. And I also value positive energy. <br />
All I know is that God has clearly led me into this direction for a reason, even if I don't know His plans this moment. I have no idea what the finished product will look like. All I know is that this new passion happened for a reason and I am just going to embrace it and grow with it. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-13024716603584187222013-07-18T17:03:00.000-07:002013-07-18T17:17:50.570-07:00The CycleIt starts with a foreign, untraceable emotion: discomfort, displeasure, unfulfillment. <br />
Next come the subconscious questions: Change? Who am I? What should I do?<br />
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The cycle consisting of discomfort, distraction, and confusion.<br />
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It's that ambiguous it. That shifting in your seat to an uncomfortable situation, except it's bigger; it's life. It is annoying not being able to grasp and define where these emotions are coming from. I thought I had it all and I do have so many blessings, but perhaps I was not being fulfilled. I was missing my direction. Hanging in the oblivion, knowing that I was uncomfortable with facing the reality of where my life was leading.<br />
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I didn't pray as much as I should have. I tried to reason through it. Then, when my mind started getting closer to the source I pulled back, afraid of what I might find. This summer I've tried to keep myself as distracted and busy as possible before I realized what I was doing. I can't keep running away from this hidden feeling laced with so much meaning. <br />
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That's when I started researching and discovering some possibilities. I didn't even realize what I was doing when I looked up other majors or career possibilities, but I was pretty desperate to find IT. To search for my truth. <br />
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Being open to truth and love means never stopping to learn about yourself and the world; putting pride aside and not ignoring hidden dreams. I also can't regret any time that I consider lost. That time was never lost. Every choice was made as a stepping stone for the person I am now and that time was never a mistake. Life hasn't gone the way I expected, but the challenge is beautiful. The unknowable is where, perhaps, we lean the closest to God and grasp for the knowledge and understanding that comes from Him. If we're lucky, that understanding comes as a burst of light, blinding all else. But more often than not, it's a slow shift leading you away from yourself until you can no longer hide from the huge mountain of mystery. It's not always the most comfortable feeling to be pushed out of your comfort zone, the box that you spent your whole life building. But the walls are coming down and that's how we grow.<br />
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God's so good like that, you know? He doesn't baby you through the hard times and tell you every step in advance to warn you of upcoming trials. But He does let you figure out more and more of how powerful and mysterious and beautiful and well-planned out He is and why He brought you into this world. His love never fails, even when mine does. <br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-23862493843221481362013-05-23T10:13:00.000-07:002013-05-23T10:23:53.887-07:00Philosophy is everywhere I look! OK I just have to share my nerd moment for the day!<br />
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I'm currently reading "Fatherless" by Brian Gail that was loaned to me by the lovely <a href="http://fainthueofgrace.weebly.com/thoughts-and-ramblings.html">Allison</a>. Around page three hundred, the author starts referencing philosophers, particularly modern philosopher's role on shaping thoughts (a process of hundreds of years) and how their thoughts influence scientists and scientific findings. One character (it goes through the journey of 4 main characters so it's a big book) was researching the linkage between breast cancer and the Pill, exploring how science might cover up some facts. SO FREAKIN COOL because philosophy is basically what I spent my freshman year learning about. <br />
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I always have high expectations for summer reading, but I'm really trying to read some deeper books than I normally would. We'll see how it goes! I just got a library book with a variety of European philosopher's writings/thoughts. <br />
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And that is how I'm spending my summer days! Trying to read/learn, stay spiritually active, be there for my family and friends, make some money and work out (ugh). Running has not been fun recently and I sometimes (ok all the time) make excuses for myself by saying that over working myself is how I broke my foot last year, but I also just need to rediscover my passion for soccer. It shouldn't be this hard, but I'm having a dry spell. I can't force it, but I also can't make up excuses forever. I feel like learning how to take care of my body is connected to taking care of my soul and if my soul is going through a dry spell with one of my absolute favorite passions, then I need to listen to my soul and nurture it. Hmm going back to the basics of the game and reconnecting with coaches and teammates is a good way to start.<br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-59448601971365448782013-05-09T17:03:00.004-07:002013-05-09T17:09:36.191-07:00Random ThoughtsRecently, I've been reflecting on changes going on within. Sometimes I feel like my life is a mess and I look at people who have it all together, wanting to be like them. But then I notice people who have lives just as messy and complicated as mine and it seems like they don't notice that their lives could be better. Then I wonder if I actually notice the little details in life that lead to a chaotic and scatterbrained existence. I mean do any of us actually change our ways when someone points out that we need to change? Even just a little? Maybe we'll listen one or two times but in the end our choices come from what we understand within us. And if our reasoning doesn't comply with another person's truth are we willing to understand where that person is coming from? To actually change our nature for the better? Basically, what I'm trying to say is in the normal hum drum of our lives are we really going to make life changing decisions that affect who we are and who we become.<br />
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How does God get through to stubborn willed people like myself? All I can think of is the more stubborn we are the more drastic action God has to take for us to notice Him.<br />
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And that's where suffering comes into the picture because the more joys God gives us, it seems as if we forget all the more to be grateful. Suffering forces us to take a good hard look at our choices/life/beliefs. We would be boring without suffering since suffering forces us to rely on something or someone outside of ourselves. We have to face that we cannot handle this life alone - physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually.<br />
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How does suffering change our nature? Form our souls? And not always for the better..... Even if we do not drastically turn away from God, sometimes we just trust His plan a little less. Or maybe we realize that we don't understand His plan or feel His presence, but in those times when evil seems to reign and He seems to be absent we really are vulnerable. We have to put our hearts on the line and they either become refreshed or dry/bitter.<br />
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Suffering is God's way of forming our character. He teaches that vulnerability means being open to pain, but He also shows that getting hurt is how one grows in true life-giving love.<br />
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Can we really give ourselves to God or one another if we haven't experienced love?<br />
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What is love then? More than just a fleeting feeling but an actual openness to being. To being eternally connected with the beloved; spiritually bound to the Savior. That seems to me why God uses suffering on people who don't deserve it - to help them grow in love.<br />
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This summer I'm going to be on a quest of figuring out not only what true love means but also how it should look in everyday life. The family is a great place to start because family shows how no matter the choice or consequence they will forever be tied to you - whether by choice or genes.<br />
<br />
And if your family is not an example of life-giving and sacrificial love then where else do you look? The media and society are not good examples of true, faithful love. I feel like true love is one of those things we experience and live through but don't really notice. It's under played but vitally important. True love is about giving rather than receiving. And I am blessed to have friendships and relationships that give instead of take for their own use. It just makes me wonder if I give all that I can to my family and friends....but do any of us?Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-91638985130582635862013-05-05T17:25:00.003-07:002015-01-27T22:44:59.157-08:00End of first year reflections The air is damp/humid with a touch of chill. Clouds cover the sky and the lush greens are a reminder of the rain from yesterday. But this dreary weather cannot dampen my mood. My Grandpa's watching hockey while my dad checks his baseball app. I feel so at home. Emotions running through me are peace, acceptance, relief, joy and appreciation.<br />
<br />
WHAT an insane first year of college.<br />
<br />
On July 23rd, I got my firsts wake up call of just how life changing this year would be when I broke my metatarsal. Not playing soccer for 3 months and the social challenges of being disunited with a team since I wasn't bleeding on the field with them was such a learning process. I learned that some girls I thought I was friends with weren't very excited for me when I recovered and started to show them that I can play soccer. I learned that I'm not as good as I thought that I was in high school. And I learned how to adapt to coaches who do things very differently than high school. Sometimes I felt like I was on an island by myself on the team (ugh that girl with the boot). But I also discovered how beautiful some girls are who genuinely care for me as a person and not just what I do on the field. Making genuine connections with these soccer girls who I thought that I didn't have anything in common with has been so good for me. They've taught me to enjoy the community of the team, including bible studies, Zumba classes, and late night study parties. I fell, but I came back. I struggled, but I'm resiliently working towards my goal of playing on the first team. And I will, one day. Hopefully in the fall! My coaches have indicated to me that I should get playing time on the first team so now I just have to take care of myself this summer. All the pieces are falling into place.<br />
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I'll talk about all my other growing areas another time....Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-68121365837159135432013-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:002013-04-23T14:06:43.754-07:00Embarrassing It's embarrassing that I had to autocorrect the word embarrassing....three times<br />
<br />
Oh man,<br />
<br />
Life is interesting,<br />
<br />
Have you ever written something, put it aside, and then returned to it a year later?<br />
That, my friends, is what I just did.<br />
<br />
I want to curl up in a ball and pretend like nobody else read this piece of writing.<br />
But no, not only did people read it, but an important person who I quite frankly love and admire read it. <br />
What was I thinking? It sounds so self-concieted...who is that girl? And to think that I'm way more self-centered now than I was a year ago....<br />
<br />
Oh boy,<br />
<br />
It's time for a little reflecting on one's ego (if you know what I mean)...<br />
<br />
And maybe, just perhaps, a little time in front of the blessed Sacrament to tell Jesus that I'm dumping all the stress of this week onto Him. Because the week before finals is worse than finals itself... and I'm kinda done with handling situations by myself...<br />
<br />
But just have to get through the next week and a half and I'll be a sophomore! THAT'S SO CRAY!Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-90309155322581249002013-03-24T22:19:00.001-07:002013-03-24T22:20:01.667-07:00RantWhat do you do when you have a psych project due in two days?<br />
A theology paper due in three?<br />
And a Rhetoric thesis that you need to come up with?<br />
Plus reading for two other classes and an Education test?<br />
<br />
PROCRASTINATE! And write about how much work I have to do......<br />
<br />
In other news, I played in my first ever soccer scrimmage with BAC since being injured! It was pretty good and I played 40 mins. <br />
But what's really exciting is that I don't have to get up at 7 tomorrow because morning workouts were cancelled.<br />
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Guys, life is good - in three days I will be with the fam. <br />
<br />
Let Holy Week begin!<br />
<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-9470111398461164692013-02-21T19:43:00.000-08:002013-04-23T14:12:58.300-07:00Idealism, Romanticism, OptimismWhat do idealism, romanticism and optimism all have in common?<br />
<br />
Well, strangely enough, (ha) I consider myself all three of the above, which is not as good of a thing as I used to think. But, I'm learning that there are pros and cons to my philosophy. Basically, when I think of a situation, I picture an ideal, a perfect outcome. Then I romanticize this ideal with flowery language, high emotions, and easy steps that lead to my perfect conclusion.<br />
<br />
While it may be alright to dream, sometimes my futuristic mindset disables me from experiencing the present in full. Isn't this sense of fulfilling pre-operated notions why we stress? Where does my attitude of having to please myself and God come from? Where does this pressure to perform well come from?<br />
<br />
I want to understand why I act the way I act, then make sure that I handle myself well in certain situations. Maybe I want an ideal where I don't get anxious over trying times, and where I have the perfect answer for every question life throws at me in my spiritual, psychological, social, and emotional crises. This is where my optimistic philosophy factors in - I value looking for the good in the ugly. But optimism can make me blind to realities, simply because I want to refuse to face the music, even though I can't. <br />
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Sometimes I get lost when thinking how righteous I am. I don't party, do drugs, drink, have sex outside of marriage, how bad can I possibly be doing? But then I think of all the people I could be touching, all the hearts that I haven't been brave enough to entrust myself to. Or being blind to the needs of others around me. What fickle, distorted, silly, interesting, wonderful human beings we are. <br />
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Love,<br />
A college girl who is learning, growing, and discovering myself. <br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-39511952976648384882012-11-11T08:56:00.004-08:002013-12-19T17:54:37.441-08:00College & Making FriendsA vital part of human existence is about the relationships we build and the influence we have on one another. <br />
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We are meant to be social creatures, like in Genesis when God said that it is not good for man to be alone. <br />
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I've learned that friendships in college, however, make or break your character as a person. Isn't that scary? College is such an interesting time of development where we exert independence, but we aren't really fully independent yet. Sure we act like it, but in reality are we really fully independent and not just in the material sense but also in the emotional and psychological sense. <br />
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As a freshmen, I have SO much to learn to continue growing.<br />
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This mindset of learning not only in school, but also socially is seen differently from different people. I've seen people my age on campus who have taken less care for their scholastic experience and more care for their social, which is a problem. They are consumed with partying and flirting and the drama behind their lifestyle is so ugly. <br />
And, on the other hand, I've noticed people who don't socialize enough and need to take a break from the pressure they put themselves under in school. I understand the desire to make good grades and do well, but as social humans we also need to take the time to care for ourselves as a whole person and not just our mental facilities. <br />
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How do we find this balance?<br />
Being active in a wide variety of groups and organizations allows you experience different perspectives. to surround myself among different friends. Experience with dealing with both the "nerds" and "jocks" helps make my social experience more wholesome because I am encountering the real world. In my work circle, I am most likely going to face opposing views and have to spend more time with others to understand their views. I'm OK with this, in fact, I find it very interesting how different people bring different qualities out of myself. I am still myself, but I will insert certain phrases and sayings to relate to the social group I am around.<br />
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I've also noticed the people who seek this same balance as myself. Qualities I see in them are that they are still focused on school, but they can also relate to a wide variety of people their age while having core friends to turn to. They aren't giving up true friendships to trade for less real ones, but, as Christians, Jesus ate with taxpayers and sinners. A problem I see on campus is being able to see the other side, the opposing view. I need to be able to relate to people my age, even though my friendships with them might not be as deep as others because it is not centered on God. The effort to relate to the other side, however, I've noticed is laking at my school and I'm still learning how I feel about this. Charity and loving all people is important, but it doesn't mean that I have to be friends with everyone. <br />
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I do know that I've been blessed with friendships at Belmont Abbey. It is so important to surround myself around good people who strive for holiness because, then, we can support one another towards the same goal. <br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-71902144492100513442012-10-30T13:24:00.001-07:002012-10-30T18:15:33.750-07:00What to do?Guys,<br />
<br />
I've been really bad with my blog recently.<br />
Sorry!<br />
I just don't really know what to do with it because I like blogging for the sake of keeping up with friends, sharing stories and writing, but I don't want to have to try be creative. If I come up with something, then I'll write on it and that will be that. <br />
So basically I haven't thought of anything to write about and this is a really boring post. <br />
<br />
But I will share my thoughts on my baby sister because she's been consuming my thoughts/prayers/conversations for the past couple months :D.<br />
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Although I think that its strange that I'm at school while my family is taking delight in a new member, I love how connected I can still be to the "going ons" of my household. I believe that connection comes from sharing such close quarters with my family for most of my life. And I really appreciate that security of coming home and feeling like I haven't been gone for the past two months, which is how I felt during my recent trip home on fall break. By the grace of God, I'm so lucky to have such a large family. Sure the challenges of the family hadn't disappeared, but the fact is that (for the most part) we can get past those conflicts and focus on having a good time when we all get together. Obviously, my parents play a huge part in my family's connection and who I am today. What I love the most about their parenting style is that they have so much going on that I have the space to properly develop and come to them if I need to. They are not the type of parents who pester their child but I trust them so I want to tell them all the major changes going on in my life. <br />
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Anyway, so Stella Therese Marian is gorgeous and so so so tiny! I'm always amazed at how dependent babies are of others, but just holding that tiny, innocent, precious life does something to the human heart. How can purity of soul not affect us jaded ones? I look back on that short time that I got to meet her and I feel so blessed. And to think that I am the godmother of her, especially when she has her whole life in front of her! Just think of the potential! I would love to grow up as the baby of the family so that I could see the experience of others and distinguish who was successful or doing well so that I could plan my life in search of the same happiness. <br />
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I am still astounded at how much love can pour forth from my heart because of such a tiny person. I can't wait to see what she will be like. What is her personality? Who will she take after? Will she survive being the youngest, especially after three boys? She's going to have to be a strong person for sure because there is a lot of competition in my family. What's she going to look like? God, do you think, maybe, if she could, like you know, take after me? Pretty please? Because that would be so cool. AHHH I can't wait to show her the ropes! I can't wait to see how God will use her in this crazy thing called life. Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-17188709593571033182012-09-09T07:14:00.001-07:002014-01-03T07:29:52.589-08:00ZzZzZz = College LifeLast night, we had the president's ball, which was fun. <br />
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I'm getting an x-ray tomorrow and could use some prayers. It's not that I can't make another few weeks of this because I get around really well. I just miss soccer - alot.<br />
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Here is a list of all of the classes I'm taking this fall:<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Bio Lecture and Lab</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Honors History of Ideas</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Honors Rhetoric</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Theatre Appreciation</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
First Year Symposium</div>
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Homework is starting to pick up. This weekend I'm writing 4 papers, but most of them are short. I really love my classes though. I'm turning into a nerd because I never realized how much I love understanding subjects before. Coming from a homeschooling background, I never had the opportunity to go to class every day. I talk so much class. Its pretty funny. And I've definitely seen that being able to teach yourself subjects has been so good for me in college. <br />
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Honors classes are so much more intense than my other classes. I'm really glad I'm in the Honors program because I am learning so much. What I especially love is that the professors take the time to make sure we understand the difficult texts or their critiques of our written work. It's a very learning conducive environment and the people I'm living with are such a great group of smart, silly, and genuine people. I was sick this week and the way they took care of me was just like I was a part of their family. People just pop by our suite and we throw parties! The other night we threw a nail/smoothie/bollywood party in our room.<br />
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And that's my update on college life!<br />
<br />
Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-39000178839521754312012-08-15T17:04:00.001-07:002012-08-15T17:04:07.225-07:00SweetnessCollege life is awesome!<br />
<br />
I'm here for preseason and even though I broke my foot and therefore can't play soccer I am having SUCH a blast. <br />
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I love college soccer! I love the people, how everyone is so driven, the coaching staff and how much time they invest in really getting to know you. It's so me and it's really great. I just have to be patient and hungry at the same time. I'm biking a bit, doing core workouts, and keeping engaged in the classroom sessions. I gotta be able to rock 'n roll when my time comes, and trust me it's coming. <br />
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So far, the people I've met have been really fun to get to know. It's nice to be part of a "family" and get to know campus before everyone else arrives this weekend. <br />
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The basilica and the adoration chapel are so great to be able to go to whenever I want as well.<br />
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And strangely enough, I'm looking forward to classes starting....<br />
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I must be going crazy or something.<br />
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<br />Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354193077032625269.post-59515242075358572892012-08-05T09:46:00.002-07:002012-08-05T09:46:35.044-07:00PACKING!!!!People,<br />
<br />
I am leaving in 6 days!<br />
I can't believe it!<br />
<br />
I've started legitimately packing my clothes and essentials today. <br />
<br />
Wow, I have alot of STUFF. <br />
<br />
See my 2 siblings before me have gone to colleges close by.<br />
My college is 7 hours away.<br />
I can't do what they did, which is swing by home and pick up stuff if they need it.<br />
So I have to prepare myself for the colder months while not bringing every article of clothing I own.<br />
This is alot harder than it sounds. <br />
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Does anybody have any college packing tips?<br />
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I'm trying not to overdo it. It's not exactly working. Oh well!<br />
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TTFN!Robynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04122054970416273971noreply@blogger.com0