Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

-Pablo Picasso

AMDG

A new year. Certainly, a time in which we are encouraged to make resolutions, generally with an eye to bettering ourselves: study more regularly, lose 10 pounds, be nicer to _____ (insert name of a person who taxes your patience)—and the list can go on and on. In the midst of a mountain of possible changes, I invite us to examine those lines of continuity that are important to maintain.

Think of the relationships that form the fabric of our lives: family, friends, colleagues, classmates. Think of the different roles that each of us is given to play: child and parent, student and teacher, athlete and coach, to name but a few. Finally, think of our primary purpose in life: the praise, reverence, and service of God, Our Lord.

All of these features stretch over many years, indeed, decades. True, they develop as we do; but they are with us for the long haul. Each new year offers us a chance for a resolve to cooperate with God in His perfecting the most important elements that constitute our lives. These continuities help us to decide properly the sorts of changes that we want to see in 2014, to choose the best means of growing into the persons that God has created us to be. Whether 2014 will see our sixteenth or sixtieth birthday, we ask for the grace to live AMDG and thus to allow this year to be set as another stone of a foundation that builds for eternity.

Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, Jr., S.J. ’76
President, Jesuit High School New Orleans

It is not you who shape God; it is God who shapes you. If then you are the work of God, await the hand of the Artist who does all things in due season.

Offer the Potter your heart, soft and tractable, and keep the form in which the Artist has fashioned you.

Let your clay be moist, lest you grow hard and lose the imprint of the Potter’s fingers.

—St. Irenaeus, 2nd century

Help others by helping yourself.

     "When you focus on doing more, your goal is to seek always to help other people-- not yourself. But one of our power influencers offers a practical suggestion for helping other by helping yourself.

     Larry Senn--chairman of Senn Delaney, an international firm focused on shaping organizational culture-- says you can do more for the people in your life by making a stronger commitment to keeping yourself healthy.
     This may sound self-serving at first, but it's not. When you're in good shape, you're better able to take care of your family and you're more likely to be around to positively influence their lives in the future. And when you're healthy, you have more energy and mental clarity so you make better decisions both at work and at home.
     Larry practices what he preaches. At age 70, he started doing Spring-triathlons. He's now 76 years old, and runs six triathlons per year.
     He says, 'It all ties back to purpose. My highest purpose is my family. I have a huge obligation to be able to keep healthy for them, and I need to do an exemplary job of taking care of myself. I need also to do an exemplary job for my clients, and to serve them well I need to be at the top of my game, which requires discipline in terms of fitness and diet and growth and evolution as a person.'
     By the way, Larry often wins in his age group when he runs triathlons. This year he won in Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and San Diego. 'I'm not fast, but there aren't many guys left in my bracket!' he jokes. 'In these triathlons they paint your age in giant letters on your calf, and I get lots of comments. It's fun to pass guys in their 20's and 30's on my bike and hear them say, 'Wow! Go for it!'"

                                                                     From Real Influence by Mark Goulston and John Ullmen

You liberate me, Lord.

Spicy Bean and Vegetable Chili

This is a variation of a recipe from Whole Foods. Delicious! 

Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
• 1 small jalapeno, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotles in adobo
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
• 1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can hominy or yellow corn, rinsed and drained
• Avocado and cilantro, for garnish

Method: 

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, peppers, jalapeno, and garlic and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until vegetables are softened but not browned. Add chipotles, oregano, cumin, turmeric, chili powder and salt. Stir to blend. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Gently simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 45 minutes. (Make sure it gets to a nice boil before you cut the heat down to simmer). Add beans and corn and simmer an additional 30 minutes. Garnish individual bowls with cilantro and sliced avocado, if desired.

Pair with some homemade cornbread and call it a day.

Full of plant protein, fiber, and antioxidants! 

Love is a Decision.