Beyond Words

I’ve always believed in how the above four things are prioritized and although the Vatican released what’s called Pope Francis’ official unofficial New Year’s Resolutions (see below) he also sent sent his staff a list of 10 things he’d like them to do and amazingly, they also put God and Family first and second. Hmmmm…

So, whether you work for the Pope or you work for yourself, I believe we can all learn from following his requests, so here they are:

1. Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.
2. Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention, and love.
3. Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words in good works, especially on behalf of the needy.
4. Be careful how you speak (was he listening to me during the OU-Clemson game?!). Purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity, and worldly decadence.
5. Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others. (I like this one A LOT!)
6. Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that know how to thank the Lord.
7. Be careful of envy, lust, hatred, and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people.
8. Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness , for pointing the finger at others, for pride, and for complaining.
9. Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker…the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers; because we will be judged on this.
10. Make sure your Christmas is about Jesus and not about shopping.

What I love about this list and what I’ve read about it is that, although it’s clearly rooted in Catholic teachings, it consists of things non-Catholics can easily embrace as well. Many of them scream my name and others inspire and encourage me. How about you? Pick one or two you need to work on or that you want to improve on and get going. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and have faith!

Here’s to a blessed and happy 2016 filled with all the things that bring peace to you.