☾ Life & Style

How often do we encounter the question “Who Am I?” It is probably the most fundamental question we ask ourselves, yet we still struggle to find the most honest response. If we fail to answer it as candidly as possible, could you imagine how other people feel and think about us? More often than not, not knowing who they are dealing with is a very easy path to assumption, judgment, indifference, and even rejection. 

I remember attending a friend's birthday dinner with my husband and 5 other couples years ago. One of the ladies, a new acquaintance at the time, talked about how much she enjoyed her recent lunch dates with the other two ladies in the same table, then asked the lady right next to me to go lunch in the coming week. That leaves me out and the host, who I know is already a close friend of hers. Well, my immature self at the time thought that it was kind of rude and tacky. I somehow felt rejected. Of course she’s not interested in getting to know me!

According to Pew Research, Christians make up just 2% of adult population in Israel. That’s a surprising number and that means most Jews still reject Jesus as the Messiah while we have approximately 2.3 Billion Christians around the world, making up nearly a third of the world’s 7.3 Billion people (as of  2015). 

When we think that the greatest man who had ever lived on Earth was rejected by his own people, it makes it so much easier to accept rejection. Surprisingly, they do not know Jesus the way we do. And even for us Christians, we still struggle with our own faith if we don’t know him.

This Sunday was the 4th week of Advent. We are approaching Christmas. We have been talking about the waiting and anticipation of the birth of Jesus, while most of our preparation focused on decorating, preparing for family gatherings, shopping, baking and sending Christmas cards and gifts. While we associate the feeling of joy and excitement with waiting for Christmas, generally in life, waiting is not something we enjoy. "We hate to wait, specially when we do not know or understand the circumstances around it". Fr. Mike Schmitz (a beloved podcaster that I follow and a priest from Duluth, MN) was right on on this. Why do we wait? Why can't we just get on it...now!

ADVENT is all about waiting and anticipating the birth of Jesus.

In this Sunday’s homily, in the words of Fr. Mike: "Waiting is meant to serve a purpose. God invites us to wait in silence. Waiting purifies. Silence magnifies. It is in those quiet moments that we gain clarity in whatever fills our heart and mind".

Not being the favored one? Missing out on an invitation to an event or gathering? Not receiving the best seat in the house? Not a problem. While Jesus was rejected by his own people, may we learn to graciously accept rejection as we navigate through life, otherwise be burdened by an unnecessary feeling of inadequacy. What a waste of energy! He equipped us to face our own struggles by living through his own. In the coming days and as we start the new year, I hope we get to learn more about Jesus, the son of God who dwelt among us, rejected by his own people, yet celebrated by everyone who believes in him. 

Painstakingly, we have lived through the challenging days of 2020. We've been physically isolated for the most part of the year. We have had plenty of time for solitude and reflection. We have had some great opportunity to prepare ourselves during the Advent. Unlike the past Christmas seasons with all of its bustling sights and sounds, parties and all, my hope is for us to find this opportune time to sit still and listen to the stillness of our hearts.

As Fr. Mike emphasized, waiting is meant to serve a purpose. Waiting purifies. Silence magnifies. And now this. The wait is almost over. More than 7.3 Billon people eagerly await the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth, the begotten son of God, rejected by his own people, but still remembered, celebrated, and believed by Christians around the world, two thousand years later. 

What a great ADVENTure He lived!

Merry Christmas to all.

Be kind. Be fabulous.

-Cora

And just like that… SUMMER is gone!

Toward the end of winter, I welcome the thought of spring and summer with utmost exuberance. Gorgeous flowers popping everywhere, fun summer trips, trees coming back to life, outdoor parties, colorful sun dresses, toes in the sand, fruity summer drinks and watermelon, sizzling barbecues, patio dining, pool time, and of course, the glorious sun…well, plenty of it! 

No matter the challenges of Covid-19, the current social climate and the moral ambivalence that unexpectedly dominate and dampen this year’s spring and summer experience, I made a conscious choice that I will embrace and brighten up my days. Sometimes, you don’t need to leave your humble abode to delight in this season of relaxation. So many things to enjoy even in the comfort of your own backyard. You just have to find it. How I relish waking up to the quintessential summer scents, a whiff of magnolias or the smell of freshly cut grass in the air! My daily routine of afternoon swim in the backyard pool and some gardening while listening to the valuable lessons of Jordan Peterson and Ted Talks kept me going. For some reason, there’s a lovely feeling of exhaustion that comes from a relaxing or productive day spent beneath the summer sun. What could be more invigorating than a luxurious afternoon nap or curling up with a summer read? And of course, who could dispute the fun in trying a new banana bread recipe? (Did you know there’s a gazillion ways to make banana bread?) 

Summer days are simply made for being completely immersed in the moment, wherever or whenever those moments would take you. The key is to find joy.

Goodbye summer. 

How about you? How did your summer go?

Be kind. Be fabulous.

-Cora