The Enemy of our Peace

August 23, 2016August 24, 20161 Comment

There has been many a time when I wanted to run away from my life, to go to some deserted place in search of peace but only to realize that changing location, even less hiding from my world, wouldn’t take my distress away, for wherever I would be, so would also be my turmoil.

Some of us go to extremes in an attempt to find peace. Nations go to war. People try to dismiss their circumstances or opt to numb themselves with substances or temporary highs, often to no avail.

However, as I have had the grace to experience, even in the midst of the loudest chaos, inner peace is very much attainable. It is a sweet and inexplicable phenomenon. It is a treasure that must be protected and intentionally maintained.

Perfect peace enables us to stand with our feet firmly planted on the ground. At the same time, it is constantly under attack by an enemy whose arsenal can dangerously take on many forms and which requires that we remain alert, vigilant and properly armed to counter-attack. Yet, in order to do that, as written by Sun Tzu [a Chinese General] in The Art of War, we must know our enemies and study their war strategies.

With that in mind, do you know the enemy of your peace? Are you aware of the instances when you are the least at peace? Do you know your triggers?

If for instance we were to look at the current political environment, we could easily identify propaganda, fear and division as some of the strategies or tactics being used by the campaigning parties and which may have an effect on our peace. While on a microscopic and personal level, it might be mistrust, unprocessed pain or resentment, to name a few.

In every aspect of life, we are faced with options and choices. Sometimes, even in not choosing we are choosing. When it comes to peace, whether as a world, country or individual, we all have a part to play. The need for our involvement is even amplified when it comes to our own inner peace, for it is who we are as individuals that impacts who we are as a nation or world. For fear generates fear; brokenness generates brokenness; peace generates peace.

Last year, I was on a flight back home when one of the attendants approached me and asked what I did for work. She followed by saying that I had such a peaceful aura and was curious to find out my secret. I laughed and answered, “only if you knew”. At the time, I was working in the financial industry, was involved with several personal projects, with a schedule that seemed chaotic. As I briefly shared with the attendant, whatever sense of peace I had came from within and was the result of a journey that span from brokenness and layers of pain to healing and faith. My life although seemingly chaotic was anchored and sustained by God’s perfect peace.

My peace comes from years of journeying with Abba, surviving a series of wars and being sustained by a continuous longing that is supported by personal choices, one of which is to safeguard my mind and heart, as every aspect of my life [the way I live, respond to life and even how I ultimately impact my world] flows from there.

We live in a world where our ability or even willingness to co-habit as citizens of this one earth is increasingly in danger. Furthermore, we are systematically being subject to a myriad of ideologies, views and agendas that have the propensity to become enemies of our inner peace. Today more than ever, it is imperative that we become good steward over our mind, heart and soul; it is crucial that we are intentional in the pursuit and preservation of peace not only for ourselves but also for our neighbors and our world.

Reflection:

When you have a minute, go to your sacred space, quiet your mind and reflect on the following questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you seek to find and maintain your inner peace.

– How is it with you these days? If you were to measure your level of peace right now, where would you find yourself — is your soul agitated within you or are you totally at peace?
– If not, what is keeping you from it? What are the triggers/enemies of your peace?
– How is your lack of peace manifested?
– What do you think must be done to attain and preserve your inner peace?

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace…”

–Romans 14:19

Sola gratia,

Christine

Please join us this coming September for our Fall 2016 Retreat, as we slow down to rest and pursue the kind of peace that is able to stand through the layers of fear, global chaos and uncertainties.

Peace that Endures
Friday, September 23rd – Saturday, September 24th
Dolce Conference Center in Norwalk, CT

The fee has been reduced and while we encourage you to disconnect and join us for both days,

after receiving some of your comments, you are now able to register for both or either day.

Take advantage of the multiple options, register today

RETREAT SCHEDULE: HERE
FEES & REGISTRATION: HERE

There is Something I Wanted to Tell You

August 8, 2016August 8, 2016Leave a comment

As we start this new work week, I wanted to share this prayer as a reminder [to us all] to be mindful of how we spend our days, to be consciously aware of life’s daily distractions and to be intentional about scheduling regular time alone with Abba — the one sure way to remain true to our divine identity, to renew our strength and to find sustaining peace.

Holy One,
there is something I wanted to tell you
but there have been errands to run,
bills to pay,
arrangements to make,
meetings to attend,
friends to entertain,
washing to do…
and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you,
and mostly I forget what I’m about,
or why.
O God,
don’t forget me, please,
for the sake of Jesus Christ….

O Father in Heaven,
perhaps you’ve already heard what I wanted to tell you.
What I wanted to ask is
forgive me,
heal me,
increase my courage, please.
Renew in me a little of love and faith,
and a sense of confidence,
and a vision of what it might mean
to live as though you were real,
and I mattered,
and everyone was sister and brother.

What I wanted to ask in my blundering way is
don’t give up on me,
don’t become too sad about me,
but laugh with me,
and try again with me,
and I will with you, too.

What I wanted to ask is
for peace enough to want and work for more,
for joy enough to share,
and for awareness that is keen enough to sense your presence
here,
now,
there,
then,
always.

Ted Loder, Guerrilas of Grace
As adapted and reprinted in Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton

Do you emotionally feel heavy and dejected?
Are you weary, in need of lasting rest and peace?
Please join us this coming September for our Fall 2016 Retreat, as we seek sweet rest and enduring peace to sustain through the layers of fear, global chaos and uncertainties.

Peace that Endures
Friday, September 23rd – Saturday, September 24th
Dolce Conference Center in Norwalk, CT
Registration is Open

The fee has been reduced and you are now able to register for both or either day.
Take advantage of the multiple options, register today
Review Schedule: HERE
Register: HERE

We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God. –Thomas Merton

The Wellness Initiative in Pictures

June 23, 2016June 23, 2016Leave a comment

The dictionary defines Wellness as “the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort;” which comes pretty close to my preferred definition, “Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth.”

I love that it is an active process — one that requires our attention and intentional involvement. Wellness isn’t just about maintaining a clean bill of physical health but it also connotes that we are “whole” emotionally, spiritually, socially, financially, intellectually, etc…The Wellness Initiative only scratched the surface on a few of those dimensions. It was the beginning of what I hope will be a movement to bring awareness to the importance of complete wellness and a conduit to encourage us to make those practices a way of life.

Here are few pictures from the day’s sessions: Emotional Wellness, Walking Meditation, Nutrition and Floral Arrangement. Hope to see you next time!

SABĂTICA FOCUS ON: Linda Sellers, Clean Eating

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016Leave a comment

I strongly believe that our journeys are interconnected and that our individual transformation is not just for the self but also for the sake of others. Thus, while planning this first Wellness Initiative gathering, it was imperative that we stayed true to that belief by not only providing information on the selected topics but also creating a channel for us to learn from one another.

One of the elements of wellness that seem to be a challenge for many of us is maintaining our physical health. We are either afraid of finding out the unknown and thus stay away from everything medical; we don’t have the right information to make better choices or we know what we ought to do but simply can’t seem to follow through. It was, therefore, important for this Wellness Initiative to also focus on physical health, hence the topic of Clean Eating.

Interestingly, for the past few months or so I have been following my friend Linda Sellers who has embarked on her own “clean eating” and wellness journey and who has been generous with sharing along the way. I celebrate her commitment and accomplishments and am ecstatic that she will be joining us June 4^th to share with our Sabătica community and help us approach our own quest for weight loss/clean eating/well-being with the right mindset and tools.

As a foretaste of what to come, below is a brief exchange I had with Linda. Enjoy and join us at the Bartlett Arboretum for much more.

The Wellness Initiative is your own personal invitation and a gentle reminder to make your total well-being a priority and a partnership offering to make that a reality and a way of life.

Linda1

Please tell us about yourself!

I’m 39 years old. I work with children with special needs at New Canaan Public Schools. I have a 19 year old son named Andre who attends a local college in town. I enjoy going to Church..serving the LORD through Worship. It’s so refreshing and life giving. I also have quite a blast spending time with family and friends. I enjoy volunteering at a local homeless shelter; I believe it’s important to give back. For, freely it’s given on to us, freely we should give; one of the many things my mother taught me as a child. (Soo good)

The highlight of my days is my alone time…I love to read a good book or sitting in silence.. .kick off my shoes & sip my Match Tea or iced Match in my comfy cozy chair by the window. Hello all 4 seasons. Oh such a treat!

What prompted you to change your diet and adopt “clean eating”?

I had a major health scare. I was put on a cardiac and low sodium diet. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. But on the 3rd day, I started to reflect on what I was being fed and realized something wasn’t right.

They did a great job with portion control; no table salt, low carbs. However when I had my breakfast, a small muffin with margarine, I became sick. I knew I needed to educate myself on what’s healthy for me once I was discharged from the hospital.

My family started to help me research healthy eating. I became aggressive. I prayed for GOD to heal me from over-eating. I was able to get to the root of my eating disorder by surrendering it to GOD and I began a clean eating program that’s tailored for me. YAYYY!!!

Shopping

How would you, in your own words, describe “clean eating”?

Clean eating for me is eating natural or organic, grass-fed meats/fish. Two servings of 3oz of protein twice a day.

This includes nuts and almond butter/peanut butter. Fresh or frozen organic fruits/ veggies…. Sometimes I get regular. It’s all about the budget..however I don’t and I won’t ever get regular beef due to the way my body processes it. I only purchase items with five or less ingredients. I believe less ingredients means more natural. Nothing prepackaged. No frozen meals.

Snacks-1

How has that changed your life?

– I am no longer on meds for my heart
– My pseudo tumor has shrunk
– My optic nerve damage is improving
– My Bones don’t hurt when I wake up in the morning
– I have more energy than usual
– My skin looks great
– I lost 47 pounds since January 14 till present

I am accountable with my weight loss management through weekly meetings and weekly weigh ins along with some light exercise, walking on the treadmill or outside enjoying nature.

I do make mistakes along the way. The goal is to be aware and to expose them. Just being real with myself has helped me recognize that I will not be perfect; hey it’s okay, no big deal is what I tell myself. You are allowed to make mistakes along the way.

Thank you, Linda, for your authenticity and grace and for encouraging us to never give up; to keep going with everything we’ve got — faith, determination, education, action. xxx

Emotional Assessment: Why bother?

May 26, 2016Leave a comment

At the first sign of a medical symptom, we pause to question what might be the cause. Why are we having abdominal pain? Why the reoccurring headaches? Why does it hurt when we do this or that? Quite often, after we try to diagnose the problem, we attempt to heal ourselves or decide to call a doctor to have him/her take a look. The consultation is often followed by a series of tests in order to determine what our symptoms may be trying to tell us. Granted, some of us are hypochondriacs and only make it to the doctor’s when we are running out of options; however, when we see an unusual sign, we instinctively want to find out what’s wrong. Why is that not the case for our emotional health?

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, C. Dorvil 05.16

I remember times when I walked around “functionally” depressed, hiding behind multiple masks and angry like a ticking time-bomb. It wasn’t until I was broken open by yet another unexpected major loss that I finally surrendered and was able to deal with the real issues behind my sorrow. What came from that was not only healing and freedom but also a keen awareness of the necessity to regularly and intentionally assess the state of my emotions in order to both maintain wellness and avoid once again reaching emotional distress.

So, what is causing you to be so angry, to get offended so easily? What is behind your depression [mild or acute], your fear? Emotional wellness doesn’t happen overnight but it does require that we take the first step, that we pay attention to the symptoms before it is too late.

The Wellness Initiative aims to do just that, to give you a safe and serene space to self-evaluate, to identify and address the underlying issues of your emotional state.

I hope you can make it, but if not this time, I encourage you to be intentional and to make your emotional wellness a priority.

Selah,
Christine

The Wellness Initiative
June 4, 2016
10:00am – 3:00pm
9:30am Coffee & Mingle
Fee: $50
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road (off High Ridge Road)
Stamford, CT 06903

SABĂTICA FOCUS ON: Jessica Gleason, Nutrition

May 24, 2016June 1, 2016Leave a comment

I am a 22 year old Quinnipiac University post-graduate with a BS in health science and a passion for nutrition and wellness. As an aspiring registered dietitian (RD), I am dedicated to my studies in dietetics and providing factual nutrition information to others. Having graduated with a minor in chemistry, I also wish to encourage a deeper understanding of how nutrients metabolically affect the human body. I hope to inspire others to become more-informed and healthier versions of themselves, while eating delicious food and having fun along the way. As the wise Michael Pollan would say… “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Jessica Gleason3

Jessica Gleason
BS in Health Sciences, Quinnipiac University, 2015
MS (candidate) in Food and Nutrition, University of Alabama, 2017

Jessica is not only enthusiastic about nutrition, healthy eating and overall wellness; she also lives by what she preaches. She is constantly learning, researching and enjoys creating her own recipes which I’ve had the pleasure to taste more than once. It is an utmost pleasure to have Jessica with us for the Wellness Initiative and to get her take and guidance on clean eating.

Nature’s Healing Touch…

May 20, 2016Leave a comment

Yesterday was the culmination of a rather heavy week — one marked by disbelief, tears and sadness. There were some moments of relief through the recounting of sweet memories, communal support and eternal hope; and yet there were a myriad of persistent internal questions. After gathering as a community to bid farewell to a sweet little boy who left us too soon, I felt the warning tug to disconnect and quiet down. So, I grabbed my camera and headed down to the Bartlett arboretum for some nature therapy. The sun was a bit timid but somehow that was just perfect as I sought to lose myself on the trails and around the property; staying outside of my head and allowing the birds’ songs, whistling creek, the colors and fragrances to feed my soul. Following are some of those moments that brought me to a halt and which I attempted to capture…

I did stop to smell these babies…so fragrant!

My favorite flowers – Lily of the Valley

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. … There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
—Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

All photos are taken by Christine Dorvil and cannot be reproduced without permission.

SABĂTICA FOCUS ON: Barbara Boland, Master Gardener

May 9, 2016May 11, 2016Leave a comment

Five years ago I returned to the East Coast from the Hollywood Hills after living there for 20 years.

Yes, the climate is very different in California and the gardening is without truly defined seasons. But as a gardener, I truly missed the drama of seasonal changes as they occur here. Here one becomes more aware of the passage of time. Birdsong in spring feeds my soul.

I have photographed extensively in the Southwest – ancient Native American sites such as Canyon de Chelly, and Chaco Canyon – as well as in Italy in the ruins of the Villa dei Misterie in Pompeii.

The mystery in places such as these elude analytical thinking. They are history, but become alive on some level in my poetic mind as I photograph, explore and research.

As as florist, I wonder – what is it of flowers that provides an aesthetic protection? The elegance of garden roses emitting their fragrance of ’real’ roses. The richness of an armful of foraged flowering branches or wildflowers. The simplicity of a flower floating on water. Protection and delight as a part of our lives.

Barbara Boland
Certified Advanced Master Gardener, UConn 2015
M.A. / NYU – Photography
Instagram : barbarabolandflowers

We are excited and honored to have Barbara Boland join us on June 4th as we kick-off the Wellness Initiative at the Bartlett Arboretum where she will not only stimulate our creativity with her workshop on floral arrangement but also help us understand how flowers can affect our mood and overall wellness. An experience not to be missed!

How is it with you today?

May 6, 2016Leave a comment

Wanderlust-MariaErnst.dk If you are wired the same way I am, it is highly probable that you often find yourself going from one thing to another, from one project to the next, forging ahead like the Energizer bunny. However, while such practice may propel us to get things done, uncontrolled, it can also be detrimental, causing us to overlook the state of our emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.

So, how is it with you today? Do you find yourself feeling anxious, fearful and emotionally tired? Are you aware of the causes? How do you feel in your skin? Are you comfortable? Are you feeling exhausted, unable to walk up one flight of stairs without running out of breath? Or are you generally excited, sleeping through the night and deeply rooted in a place of joy and hope?

I believe it was Socrates who said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That is quite a strong statement! One that also points to the necessity and importance of self-awareness.

Socrates wasn’t the only one with such conviction. In the book of Luke in the New Testament, we encounter Jesus near the town of Jericho where He was approached by a blind man who cried out for mercy. Jesus paused and responded by asking him, “What do you want me to do for you?”, prompting the blind man to acknowledge his current situation and to voice out his most cherished desire.

That day, just as in other similar instances, the emotional, physical and even spiritual state of the man were fully known to Jesus who is omniscient, but I believe there was an element of self-awareness and personal involvement that needed to be made evident in the man’s healing process.

Too many of us walk around disconnected to our emotions and unconscious of the signs that are screaming out for help, all-the-while longing for a change. If you need inner peace from your anxiety, if you long for stronger health and deep-seated joy, it is imperative that you first take a conscious and honest look at yourself; that you self-evaluate and fully comprehend what it is that you want and need.

So, how is it with you? What are the burning desires of your heart?

Sola gratia,
Christine

Sabătica Supper No. 1

February 20, 2016May 20, 20161 Comment

Despite the cold, windy, below zero degree weather, eight brave friends came out to join our very first Sabătica Supper – for me, it was a night to remember! We cooked together, laughed, sang and got acquainted with one another. Old friends got to catch up and new friends were made. As the hostess of Supper No. 1, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy as I looked around and observed how engaged, unreserved and happy everyone was. In that singular gathering, many nations were represented namely the United States, Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela and Italy; thus bringing to life a long-time dream of opening my home and table to the world. Above all, as I watched everyone kick off their shoes and put their worries aside for those few hours; as I subsequently hear comments about the Supper bringing relief to someone’s depression and a well needed break to an exhausted mom, I am overtaken by a deep sense of gratitude to have had the opportunity to witness, on day one, Sabătica’s mandate to facilitate immediate respite and to encourage a life of joy, lived in the now. [SS No.1 – 02.13.16]