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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 9:37am | IP Logged
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Thank you, again, Helen, for this ministry. It is such a blessing to me. I would post here several times a week if I posted every time one of your "vitamins" has said exactly what I needed to hear on a given day!
Today, at mass, the priest spoke of Therese's little "childlike" way and described how a child's relationship with their parents shows is an image of how we are to relate to God. Perhaps it wasn't his intent, but it convicted me (further) on how much I haven't been the image of the Blessed Virgin or Christ to my children this week.
For instance, he spoke of how children just want to be near us and snuggled against us, and I was reminded of my own irritation (perhaps somewhat hormonally induced at just over two weeks post-partum, though, that is no excuse) over my 4yo and 2yo and their constant desire to be "in my space."
When I came home and read my Mary Vitamin, it seems a perfect example of how to use Therese's little way to offer up my irritation and show love to my children!
Also, I've always like the song by Charlie Chaplain, "Smile." It is short but very sweet and has a rather wistful melody. I always thought it was kind of sad, but thinking of the lyrics in light of the quote today have given me a new perspective (and perhaps, application, lol) for this little tune:
The Mary Vitamin Quote:
“In fear or anger the eyes become hard, staring, and blink scarcely at all. The road to victory in moments of irritation is to relax the eyes deliberately, blink often and try to smile with the eyes. … In a state of emotion the voice tends to be hard and trembling. So, in a moment of wrath, you should keep quiet or answer very softly. Speak in a stronger tone of confidence when you feel fear, and in moments of sadness use a more animated tone of voice. … The Japanese have a more poetical expression: ‘When the face smiles, the sun come out in the heart.’ We should, then, relax and soften the lines of facial expression and unclench tense hands in emotional moments.”
And then the lyrics of the song (which, in googling them, I discovered Chaplain wrote the music but not the lyrics and that I've only ever known the first verse):
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
I suppose that the concept of the sun shining through instantly rather than "tomorrow" isn't quite the same, but I was struck by the same analogy of the sun being used. Just thought I'd share 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Helen
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| Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
When I came home and read my Mary Vitamin, it seems a perfect example of how to use Therese's little way to offer up my irritation and show love to my children!
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Thanks for sharing Lindsay. It's amazing when things like that come together.
I've gained a lot from Fr. Irala's book, Achieving Peace of Heart. That's where the quote comes from. (Roman Catholic Books) It's a psychological book with very strong theology.
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 3:59pm | IP Logged
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Before I head off to sleep, I also want to thank Helen for this ministry. There are so many days when Mary Vitamin truly adds to my day. Todays reflection really touched my heart as I reflected on it. And Lindsey, adding the lyrics to "Smile" has helped as well. I have always liked that song so much, and today is a day when I could really use a smile. 
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Helen
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| Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Carole 
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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Topic: Smile--Today's Mary Vitamin
