Author: carlfmaulbeck

In the movie "Harvey", Elwood P Dowd, played by Jimmy Stewart, explains coping with the world this way: "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' - she always called me Elwood - 'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me." Well, for years I was smart, oh so very smart, I too recommend pleasant - Trust the harmony

Creed

“I believe…” is faith without doubt. “I believe…” is not a statement of fact. The truth must be shared. It is the idea I live and die for. It is in dialogue.   Faith is not enough, belief fulfills us – beyond space and time, right here and right now.   Our creed’s avowal fosters […]

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Wellness (Psalm 23)

Our Lady is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. I rest assured with Her in green pastures, She leads me to placid pools, She restores my soul.   She guides me with flawless bearing to be renewed and refreshed. even though I walk through the valley of naughting,   I will not abide […]

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Way

Too often, the manner “its” always been done, becomes the One Way “it” can be achieved, regardless of relevance and effectiveness.   Unfortunately, one’s failure to get it done turns into No Way to make it happen, despite obvious or apparent alternatives.   The path of least resistance leaves things undone, and makes the Other […]

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Goodness (Psalm 4)

Here I am, hear my plea, O my God. I feel abandoned and all alone; I even wonder why you would listen to me be merciful to me and hear my prayer.   How long, must I live with these indignities? Is my life full of delusions? Am I lying to myself? My Lady has […]

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Embracing the Cold

It was bitterly cold and made me shiver, the prospect of enduring more made me quiver.   I buttoned up and ventured forward, I braced myself and continued toward.   Going quickly was not the answer, I had to slow down and embrace the cold.   A measured response of absorbing the chill, makes it […]

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Blessedness (Psalm 1)

Blessed is the person who attends to companions, or follows the way of collaborators, or joins the ecstasy of grace.   The faithful delight in our covenant with God, and meditate on Her wisdom day and night.   The hopeful are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, […]

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Yielding

Submission goes two-ways there is a reverse pathway.   Yielding requires Resilience, communication commences, when paying attention includes being heard.   It all starts with sincere Dialogue, which is mostly listening. Being open is affected, when the other’s words take effect.   Self-realization begins with Sharing, give and take is putting up with, and taking […]

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Parker’s Content

I was impressed though not surprised – She is so calm and content   Some would doubt my impression, after all, she is just a few hours old. They would contend that newborns just eat, sleep and poop.   I see it differently – Well-swaddled she responds to mom and dad with gentle coos and […]

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Here I Am

Am I here? Distracted by cold, by heat, by noise, by quiet, by glare, by darkness.   Called to change, I obey direction. I must be different, and will never be the same. I am on the way.   Here I am! Present with warmth, with chill, with silence, with still, with reflection, with light. […]

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Justified

alas. I realized I was praying as a child and I had to embrace praying as a grown up   “That Tax Collector was a very bad man; if all the Pharisee said was true. But Jesus chooses the wicked one and rejects the prideful one.”[1]   indeed, it is not about being wicked or […]

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