'I Do Not See the Road Ahead of Me'

Here is the prayer by Thomas Merton I mentioned the other day, the one I pray on my daily run. Because Merton struggled with his own demons, his words speak so directly to depressives:

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always thought I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone." 

I'm not sure why I keep coming upon quotes, prayers, whatever about MADD and abuse...but I figured this may help someone...Hope everyone has a great day... :)

Prayer for All Who Are Abused

You chose, O loving God,
to enter this world
quietly, humbly, and as an outcast.
Hear our prayers
on behalf of all who are abused:

For children,
who suffer at the hands
of parents whom they trust and love;
for spouses,
beaten and destroyed
by the very one
who promised to love
and to cherish them forever;
for all people
ignored, hated and cheated.
by the very neighbor
who could be the closest one
to offer your love.

Hear the cry of the oppressed.
Let the fire of your Spirit fill their hearts
with the power of vision, and hope.
Grant to them empowerment to act,
that they may not be passive victims
of violence and hatred.
Fulfill for them the promises you have made,
that their lives may be transformed
and their oppression ended.

Turn the hearts of the oppressor unto you
that their living may be changed
by your forgiving love;
and their abusive actions
and oppressive ways brought to an end.

Amen.

- Vienna Cobb Anderson

Christian, appropriate for many faiths

source: Adapted from "Prayers of Our Hearts" © 1991 Vienna Cobb Anderson. Reprinted with permission of the author.

The Real Woman Creed by Jan Phillips

I believe that within me lies an extraordinary radiance, and
I commit to letting my light loose in the world.

I believe that the source of my power and wisdom is in the center of my
being, and I commit to acting from this place of strength.

I believe that I possess an abundance of passion and creative potential
and I commit to the expression of these gifts.

I believe that the time has come to let go of old notions and unhealthy
attitudes, and I commit to re-examine what I have been told about
beauty and dismiss what insults my soul.

I believe that negative thoughts and words compromise my well-being,
and I commit to thinking and speaking positively about myself and others.

 I believe that young women are in need of positive role models, and I
commit to being an example of authenticity and self-love.

I believe in the relationship between my well-being and the well-being
of the planet, and I commit to a life of mindfulness that regards all
living things as holy and worthy of my love.

I believe it is my spiritual responsibility to care for my body with
respect, kindness and compassion, I commit to balancing my life in such
a way that my physical being is fully expressed and nurtured.

I believe that joy is an essential part of wellness, and I commit to
removing obstacles to joy and creating a life that is full of exuberance.

I believe that a woman who loves herself is a powerful, passionate,
attractive force, and I commit, from this day forward, to loving myself
deeply and extravagantly.

The Best Things In Life...

Think about them one at a time BEFORE going on to the next one...
IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, especially the thought at the end.

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla or strawberry!)
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
19. Running through sprinklers.
20. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
21. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
22. Laughing at an inside joke.
23. Friends.
24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to
sleep.
26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
28. Playing with a new puppy.
29. Having someone play with your hair.
30. Sweet dreams
31. Hot chocolate.
32. Road trips with friends.
33. Swinging on swings.
34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
35. Making chocolate chip cookies.
36. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
37. Holding hands with someone you care about.
38. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good
or bad) never change.
39. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much
desired present from you.
40. Watching the sunrise.
41. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another
beautiful day.
42. Knowing that somebody misses you.
43. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
44. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people
think.

I'm not sure why, but I've gotten this email a few different times over the last few months, and I heard an ad on the radio about MADD, got a different email about MADD too...so I wonder if its something I'm supposed to pass along...but its pretty important..I hope I never get the call that the mom of either of these kids got that night...so don't drink and drive...and don't let others who've been drinking drive either...have a SAFE weekend everyone...

Subject: Drunk Teen

I went to a party,

And remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom

So I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,

The way you said I would,

That I didn't drink and drive,

Though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,

And your advice to me was right,

The party finally ended,

And the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,

Sure to get home in one piece,

I never knew what was coming, Mom

Something I expected

least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,

And I hear the policeman say,

The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,

Mom, his voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,

As I try hard not to cry.

I can hear the paramedic say,

This girl is going to die.

I'm sure the guy had no idea,

While he was flying high,

Because he chose to drink and drive,

Now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mom

Knowing that it ruins lives?

And now the pain is cutting me,

Like a hundred stabbing knives.

Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom

Tell daddy to be brave,

And when I go to heaven,

Put Daddy's Girl on my grave.

Someone should have taught him,

That it's wrong to drink and drive.

Maybe if his parents

had,

I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom

I'm getting really scared.

These are my final moments,

And I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mom,

As I lie here and die.

I wish that I could say, "I love you, Mom!"

So I love you and good-bye.