Friday, August 21, 2009

Friday Favorites

Just a quick post.
(No time to upload pictures.)

If I started listing my favorite blogs and everything I love about them, you'd all be sitting here a long, long, long time reading!
But I do have to give a little 'shout out' to Cathy @ A Bit of the Blarney because she had mentioned on her blog recently a way of praying that she had just discovered on another blog that she visits, and I loved it so much. It is called Cinquain. I 'googled' it and found that it is a form of poetry inspired by Japanese hiaku. I was going to save this and do it for the next Wordful Wednesday, but I liked this idea so much I decided to include it in my Friday Favorites.

I usually say formal prayers almost by rote (the Rosary [the Our Father, the Hail Mary], etc.), and I'm practically daydreaming the whole time. I do talk to God, as in conversation that I continually have with Him throughout the day, but that's not time set aside for just focusing on Him. So I found this form of prayer very intriguing as it does require me to focus on God alone and my relationship with Him and how I can improve it.

There were so many different forms or patterns of Cinquain. The two that I found easiest and worked best for me were:

Line One: Two Words
Line Two: Four Words
Line Three: Six Words
Line Four: Eight Words
Line Five: Two Words

My Lord
Move me beyond myself
Break the bonds of self interest
Refresh and renew that which lies dormant within
Good Shepherd


(and)
Line One: One Word ~ Noun
Line Two: Two Words ~ Describe Noun
Line Three: Three Words ~ Actions
Line Four: Four Words ~ Feelings (about noun)
Line Five: One Word ~ Noun (another name for the first word)

Jesus
Sacrificial Lamb
Protects, Forgives, Heals
Loving Defender of all
Savior


I'm going to try and do a Bible reading each day and then write a prayer about it in this format in a prayer journal, and then also do another one just focusing on deepening my relationship with God.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing this!


Here is another favorite thing that happened to me just this week.
The other night I got a beautiful note from my sister-in-law Susie, telling me that she was thinking about me on the Anniversary of my Dad's passing.

In Susie's note she included a quote that not only touched my heart, but helped me realize an incredible Blessing I have been overlooking:

"When you are sorrowful look again into your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~ Kahlil Gibran

If I hadn't had such a wonderful relationship with my parents, if I hadn't had such a happy childhood, if I hadn't been so loved, I would not be experiencing this heartache now.

So I am thankful to God for this gift of sorrow that resides in my heart, for it is the remnants of the gift of love that is at home in my heart.


'Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.





25 comments:

  1. I've heard it said that we grieve according to how much we loved.
    Thank you for quoting Kahil Gibran. I just love his words. My favorite, and I recite by memory so it will be far from perfect;
    "Your children are not your children. They are life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams."

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  2. Eileen, I so loved this post and learning about
    praying Cinequain style is beautiful. I also read Cathy's post on it and made a mental note to check it out, but it has been a busy week for me. I love how you plan to use this method and journalize about it....I wish you much love as you strengthen your relationship with God. My relationship with him has brought me much peace and contentment and I never forget to thank him every day, he has been the rock my world lives on.
    Luv you and wishing you all good things. until tomorrow......:-) Hugs

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  3. Hi Eileen,
    This post was such good timing as I've been trying to figure out how to feel more spirituality in my life. I have heard of Cinequain. But I plan on having a long talk with my Pastor first. He's back now from vacation.
    As I said before, you were so fortunate to have such loving parents. It's not as common as people think it would be. You were blessed. Your feelings of sadness are understandable, but like I said before, think about what they would like you to feel!
    Love Di

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  4. Jill, thank you for that beautiful quote, I'll have to write that one in my new journal along with the one from Susie. I love it.
    And I really enjoy Gibran too, ever since I read 'The Prophet' in high school. I walked around all Freshman and Sophmore year with Gibran, Thoreau, and Emerson under my arm!


    Bernie, I was just over by you, and I have to say it again, I LOVE YOUR NEW HAIR!! I think you look beautiful!
    Thank you for your kind words, I can see that your relationship with God brings you much peace and it shows in your attitude towards others and life in general.

    'Love you girls!

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  5. Oh, hi, Di!
    I know you are right about my parents. And I do think about that all the time.
    They did so much in their lives here to help us 'kids' out, I know they wouldn't want anything to hold us back or weigh us down.
    Thanks for all your kind words, and for your emails to me.
    Love, Eileen

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  6. Hi Eileen-
    I enjoyed your way of a different style of prayer - and you are so right that the traditional prayers can be so robotic that our minds are on other things - this style will lead you deeper to your desire of a more knowing relationship with God.
    And I love that quote - I have always known that I hurt so much some times because I have loved and been loved so intently. Delight indeed.

    Love to you
    Gail
    peace...

    you have a most beautiful spirit - I feel it all the way to Connecticut, I swear I do.....

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  7. Hi Sunny!! That is your new nick name! You just radiate warmth and friendhsip and it is a real blessing to me, and many others, I'm sure!

    I love the different forms of Haiku, and had never seen prayers written this way, but they are delightful, and bring me joy!! I am going to have to try this, too!! Thanks so much for sharing, gal!

    May your weekend be peaceful, relaxing aand full of the goodness of the Lord!
    HUGS,
    Becky

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  8. Eileen...Your open honesty is such a big part of who you are...your reaching out for a closer connection with God is itself enduring...your journal is a perfect way to capture that feeling.

    I loved your comment at my place...your relating to that "mean streak" in the Goldfinch...that alone shows how sweet you are!

    Did you notice the dish of shells by the cake?
    I did that just for you!

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  9. Gail, that is so nice of you!
    Becky, you too!
    I am always amazed when people think of me the way you two just wrote about me! Thank you! I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!
    I have enjoyed meeting you both and getting to know you through your wonderful blogs!

    Wanda, thank you! And I didn't notice the shells, because, of course, I was obsessed with that wonderful cake! But I did run over just now to see after I read your comment and I enlarged the photo, I did see them, thank you, but mainly I still focused on your wonderful cake and started salivating! I just finished a bowl of cereal and a big mug of coffee but I'm still craving German Chocolate cake with coconut!! And I want that potato soup too!
    'Love you!

    I love all of you!
    Thanks for always helping me to start my day out happy!

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  10. RAY ~ if you're reading here, how about we go out for dinner tonight? Preferably to a restaurant where I can get German Chocolate Cake! Or maybe you can surprise me by picking one up in a bakery downtown?!

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  11. Well, I can finally get to comment here...what a challenge today has been! I was here hours ago and unable to comment!

    Think I need to do several cinquains now...they are such a good idea and I love the prayers you made with them...creative, maeningful and loving. I will bring Michael over when he gets home from work...hope you don't mind unexpected company!

    I remember how much I loved Kahlil Gibran when my mother lent me her book The Prophet...there's so much peace and gentleness and love in his books.

    Did you have to mention the German chocolate cake again? Now I HAVE to go get a chocolate covered vanilla bar to drown my sorrows!

    blessings and hugs,

    marcy

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  12. Hi Eileen! Ray, if you're reading this, pick me up too...I love chocolate cake!
    Eileen, your blog always makes my heart lighter...your ciquain is lovely...your blog is lovely, and so are your friends. Isn't it nice to be surrounded with love...especially the love of our Lord.
    Hugs and smiles,
    Jackie

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  13. Dear Eileen, What a wonderful, inspiring, and heart felt post. I loved it. It is true if we were never loved we could not feel sorrow. I really like they style of prayer called cinquain. I will try it myself. Thanks you so much for the comments on my blog. I feel the same way about you. I love to visit you. You always make me smile. You are a truly lovely person. By the way, please tell Ray I love chocolate cake too :>)

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  14. Yes, Marcy, I can see from your post today you have your computer woes!
    Michael is more than welcome! Everyone is welcome and maybe Wanda can bring us my new favorites (potato soup, cornbread, and German Chocolate cake with LOTS of coconut!). Eat all the vanilla bars you want, Poppins, it is not going to satisfy the urge for what we want, believe me! I've tried chocolate lava cake, I've tried fudge nut brownie ice cream, I've tried chocolate shakes, all to no avail! Five pounds heavier and still craving Wanda's cake!! What's with her anyway? I think it's a conspiracy to fatten us all up! What is she the witch from Hansel and Gretel? She leads us into the woods all the time, now she's fattening us up ~ uh-oh! What's next????

    Jackie wins this time, I did spit out when I read her telling Ray to pick her up for cake! Actually, I didn't spit it out, I held it in and it went down the wrong pipe! I choked! But it's more sanitary that way!
    Thank you, Jackie for your sweet comments.

    Carol, thank you too!
    You girls are funny!
    And I read your comment over at Marcy's about not being on the computer so much, maybe God is trying to tell us all something!
    But this is too fun!

    Have a great weekend everyone!
    Love, Eileen

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  15. Hi Eileen, I LOVED the quote too! I'm sorry that you've been so sad about your parents. I've been thinking about you ever since I read your post about it..I wish I was there..so I could give you a BIG HUG!!! I think you're right about that you miss them because they were so wonderful..But, someday you WILL see them again..so don't be sad sweet Eileen :)
    Love and Hugs, Jerelene

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  16. Jerelene, you are the sweet one!
    Thank you so much for your kind words, your support and your prayers. I appreciate it.
    And you know that you and your family and your special intentions are in my prayers too.
    Love, Eileen

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  17. Cinquain. What a beautiful way for keeping prayer fresh and thoughtful! I think I will follow the two formats you chose and use them in my journaling in the mornings. Particularly the next few days while I am at the lake....

    What if you tried the second format for verbalizing your sadness? (Or is it strictly for prayer??)

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  18. It's so true. You have to learn and experience absolute love to know what heartache is. You have a wonderful family by the sounds.

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  19. Wow....your post today was very touching. I loved the idea about the poetry, except, if I would have to think about the number of words per line or nouns and such, I think my poetry wouldn't make a bit of sense and they probably not flowwwwwwwwwwwww, LOL if you can do it that is awesome...and I am envious! It is always so nice to be in touch with our faith isn't it!?
    hugs....and miles of smiles...

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  20. Well Eileen, that quote really hit something deep inside of me, especially today when I had to watch my son, walk out of my life, and into his own life once more...I will never feel sorrow in the same way again, but will instead remember all the love we have shared.

    Then, the one Jill quoted about your children not being your children, but life longing for itself! I want to read more from this writer, and I also want some of Wanda's cake! I laughed at your comment about her trying to fatten us up...I am probably the fattest of you all so, I will be the first in the oven! Thanks for the warning, I will stay out of the forest.

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  21. I'm missing you Eileen!! Where are you?..I keep coming and looking to see if you've posted..but alas..no Eileen..:(
    Wherever you are..I hope you are having fun and smiling and I'll be SO happy to see you when you get back!
    Love You!! Jerelene

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  22. Thanks for blessing me with this post.

    Jane

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  23. What a beautiful post, dear friend.

    I love the cinquain way of writing prayers. I should also try it!

    And indeed it is so true, your deep grief speaks of something beautiful that you treasure in your heart.

    Thank you for sharing your heart.

    It is a joy, a delight to know you more.

    Love
    Lidj

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  24. Hi Eileen, just a quick note as I am missing you and your post. Hope you are doing really well and will be back soon.....:-) Hugs

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  25. Hi Eileen, I hope you are having a good day. Thank you so much for all of the lovely comments you leave on my posts. Say hello to your little grandson from Charli and me, and also to Mia if she is visiting.

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