Be thou my Vision....

....I've always loved this hymn but especially the line...Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power...

and when I sing it...I always think of Glendalough in the South of Ireland ...close to place where I served on a mission team for year...ahhhh....wish I was there right now!

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;Naught be all else to me, save that Thou artThou my best Thought, by day or by night,Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

...for all the visitors to my blog...

...unfortunately I didn't pen this myself...but I loved the words and thought it would be nice to share it!

A happy week...

Well...as you can see from the picture...I finally figured out how I can combine my love of art and coffee!!! Needless to say...my New Year resolution of cutting down on coffee has failed miserably!!


I had a lovely week...Monday evening I invited a good friend round for coffee (see coffee again!!).. She has two little boys under 5 and is always on the go...so we spent a couple of hours...with soft lights...scented candles and Ella Fitzgerald playing the background. It's amazing how much you can share with another person in such a short space of time. Tuesday evening was spent with my group of amazing friends - unfortunately for them I was on the cooking rota (poor things!). I managed to rustle up a reasonable stir fry and crusty bread...someone else came with a dessert and someone else with the wine. Wednesday evening I saw my niece for a little while and Thursday I went to hear a wonderful speaker we'd seen this year at the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham. Last night...I did absolutely NOTHING!! Ahhhh....a good week...how was yours??





Until next time...

...frozen toes!

...my heating system at home hasn't been working for the past week so needless to say I've been a little chilly of late! I was lent an electric heater and sitting (like a granny!) with a woolen blanket round my knees whilst watching television! Thankfully the workman has now restored at least some of the radiators so I'm thawing out now.

Hope your New Year has started on a positive note. I'm feeling quite up at the moment. Lots of things happening both at work and socially. I'm really looking forward to starting some study on comtemplation with my Tuesday friends (10 friends who commit to meet each week for a lovely meal and a lovely time of sharing!).

I'm also thrilled to see a little bit of brightness return to the skys as I'm walking home from work these evenings. I'm really not a winter...dark nights...doors closed sort of person. Seeing Spring far off in the distance is like present waiting to be opened...the anticipation is there already!! I've also planted dozens of bulbs in my tiny garden and they've been poking their little heads out of their beds (flower beds that is!) and whispering 'I'm gonna get up soon!'...'can hardly wait!

Well...blessings for the remainder of the week folks! Bye for now.

Hi from a sunny Belfast!

I think I may have figured out this photo thing...let's see!

New Year...new look blog!

Hi all...hope your Christmas was special as you are! Into the New Year with gusto...with new challenges and new friends. Any resolutions? A couple of mine are to walk more...paint more...contemplate more...and try to drink less Americano coffee!!

I had a restful and happy time...now back to work and the holiday season seems a long way back! Still desperately trying to post photos...I can never see the icon on my blog to do this..although people in the past have tried to talk me through the process ...oh well - maybe one day I'll figure it out! I purchased a new digital camera and think I'm wonderful now because I've taken at least two nice shots!

Well...the filing on my desk is calling loud and clear and I've been ignoring it all day. Bye for now...MOJO

....have a peaceful time....

...at this special time of the year.

My prayer ....

May we balance our laughter with some moments of quietness...
May we talk to our Lord as much as we talk to our friends...
May we attend to ourselves as much as we attend to others...
May we think of those who are hungry when we ourselves feel full...
May we think of the lonely when we are surrounded by loved ones...
May the Lord of Light help you see the sunshine through the showers...
God bless
xmojo

Happy Monday!

...yes, you've guessed it...I'm in a good mood today!! I guess a lot has got to do with the weekend past. Actually it was lovely because it ended up not being a silent retreat for me after all! My friend who organises it was able to include me in the team of 'workers'. So I got a chance to see the 'behind the scenes' action. Lots of meal preparations, serving those on the retreat, clearing up, taking part in the times of reflection when we get to speak but they don't! It was a privilege and joy to do it. I did get to have some time in quiet...to read...and write and walk in THE most beautiful unspoilt countryside....ahhh...

This week in work will be clearing up all the yucky admin jobs I've left from the beginning of the month...you know the sort I mean...don't you!?

Hope all is well in blogland....keep in touch - bye for now...a happy little person....x

....Silence is golden...

....I'll be off to rural Ireland tomorrow (half day off work...yeah!) for my third silent retreat of the year. After a hectic few months - I am soooo looking forward to the solitude. Will catch up again next week...have a great weekend everyone!

....something about a meal....

...there's just something about sitting around a table of friends that really for me comes close to heaven! We gathered together last night before a friend travels to Canada for Christmas and we had a rare old time! Lots of lovely dishes...savoury and sweet...a lot of laughing....shining eyes as we all opened our 'secret santa' presents (where we pick a name out and buy for that person - of course - by the end of the evening everyone knew who had purchased what for whom!!). I was delighted with my lovely present - wrapped beautifully - containing candles...the most gorgeous Celtic style stone angel...a hand knitted autumny coloured scarf and a little book...Loved it all! We all looked about 6 years old as we were opening (I know it's a little early for Christmas!) our presents. It was a delight.

We then decided to have our 'Top 5' lists for the year - Top 5 books....cds....movies etc. I find it pretty hard to come up with my favourites....so much to choose from. I did love 'The Cloister Walk' a book by Kathleen Norris...really enjoy the music of Sufjan Stevens...local Belfast artist Duke Special...was challenged by 'The Constant Gardener' movie. How would your favourites of the year look I wonder...let me know!

Well...for now - blessings!

'appreciate your comments

...I know I shouldn't really need reassurance to continue my blogging now and then - but thanks to those who have encouraged me to keep going - despite my silly notions (I'm a girly deep down!). So onward and upward...here goes Thursday...

My boss is away to a meeting most of the day which leaves me free to get caught up with some stuff before Christmas break. But a few highlights of the week so far...

Got together with a group of friends the other night and we were discussing the issue of money and how we use it...think about it...how influenced people are to 'keep up with the guy next door'. A very frank and open sharing of those who have money...those who have less money...those who have none to speak of - looking at what that means within our little community. It's a subject that people keep private most the time...but it's been refreshing to chat about the possibilities.

Tonight I'm going to my little neice's school for a talent show...should be fun.

Met up with a lovely lady I used to work with for a cuppa - it's great to be able to pick up just where we left off over a year ago. Some people are so easy to talk to and you know that they listen intently and just know the right things to say.

Hope all is well with my blogger friends...do take care of you wee selves...and once again thanks for reading and responding...

bye for now.....Mojo

Mojo's Place

I'm holding back...

I feel that I'm holding back in this blog...and I guess deep down I know why. I started off thinking that I could be totally myself - reflecting on various subjects...perhaps using quotes I've found challenging...writing down my wandering thoughts... But more and more I feel that I edit what I type...maybe I shouldn't worry what people think of my blog...but I seem to. Maybe I find criticism difficult or when I am questioned about what I put on the screen. I don't want to justify what I write...I just want to write. Is it just me...am I being over sensitive (I know I can be!!). So maybe the challenge in this blog is to work through my 'writer's block' (or perhaps writer's blog!) and get back to being real to myself. MMMmmmm....I will return...I promise!

sorry so short!

...but just catching up with a lot of work stuff right now - a busy time of the year! Hope all is going well for you ... let me know!

Bye for now....Mojo

Things to say....

I have been quite alert this week...for some strange reason...mmm....let's hope it lasts. I've started lots of jobs I've been putting off for weeks and actually finished them which makes me feel a certain glow inside! But for those of you who - for reasons known only to yourselves - have felt a little tired at your desk...here are...


Things to say if Caught Sleeping in the Office!

" Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem."

"I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement “

"I was testing my keyboard for drool resistance."

"I was doing Yoga exercises to relieve work-related stress."

"This is just a 15 minute power-nap as described in that time management course you sent me."

" and bless the boss........Amen."

....take care and thanks so much for those who leave lovely comments - much appreciated!! Mojo

....children are amazing....

...they really are! I know a 3 year old who has mastered the English language...a 5 year old who can count to ten in French and an 11 year old who is as creative as any adult! These little ones don't limit themselves the way I do...they attack life with everything they've got - where did I get left behind? The children in my life (none are mine!) give me joy...laughter...worry...hugs...all manner of funny and thought provoking one liners which make me smile. Hope the little 'uns around you do the same!

I love these quotes...

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff

Little girls are cute and small only to adults. To one another they are not cute. They are life-sized. ~Margaret Atwood

Memo to me...

let's see...before the weekend I must....

- type reports for speech therapy
- complete toy order for nursery
- type up audio tape for clinic
- type up audio tape fro physio dept
- complete month's purchase order
- finish payroll check
- Open new children's files
- Update waiting list database
- Update current database
- Do mailing for coffee and chat morning
- Complete Clinic timetable
- Ring parents re. above
- Type reports for OT
- Send mailing about therapy info evening
- Get the kitchen light repaired
- Get the filing done (6 weeks worth!!)
...mmmm....we shall see!

Bye for now all

A windy weekend!

Did a little sponsored walk in aid of Children in Need (BBC) in driving rain over the weekend...it was so wet and windy but actually we enjoyed it! My little neice has raised money for the cause over the past 5 or 6 years by making keyrings, painting pictures, writing a wee story etc!

To day is crisp and clear blue sky is above me through the little window of my office...wish I was out for a long walk...roll on lunch time. I only get half an hour but I look forward to the little dander along the avenue or if I've some bread left over from lunch ...I'll walk to a local duck pond and usually also see two beautiful swans who eat everything!

I'm reading an Anthony de Mello book on Awareness and just loved the following...

Negative feelings are in you, not in reality. So stop tryin g to change reality. That's crazy! Stop trying to change the other person. We spend all our time and energy trying to change external circumstances, trying to change our spouses, our bosses, our friends, our enemies, and everyone else. We don't have to change anything. Negative feelings are in you. No person on earth has the power to make you unhappy. there is no event on earth that has the power to disturb you or hurt you. No event, condition, situation, or person.

Now...I'm not saying that I fully understand what he's getting at or how I make that paragraph work for me...I do, however, like the thought that we can somehow rise above those around us who make our days stressful (or maybe we make our days stressful!!).

My sister is going to a local historical society this week to try to find out something about our family tree...I won it in a local competition but because I work full time I can't go...so all very exciting! Who knows...I may be in some long lost relatives Will and actually own a castle or something!! HA

Well...must get on with my job...take care of yourselves until next time ....

I am working...really I am!!

I'm at another computer course (away from the office!) and really enjoying it. It's lunch time now so I'm not pretending to type just to look good!

Had a lovely evening last night - sitting around the table with lovely, lovely people! I think there's something very intimate about sharing a meal together...hearing all the biz...and later (in the soft seats...) laughing and sometimes crying and everything inbetween!

My tutor has just arrived back...so must dash and finish the course!!! Bye for now

A lovely rest!

I have had a lovely few days off and have been re-reading some of John O'Donohue's books (love that man!). I had the privilege of meeting him briefly earlier in the year at a event held in Belfast. He makes me look at things afresh...consider this (from Anam Cara...www.jodonohue.com) -

...'It is strange that two mountains
can be side by side for millions of years and yet can
never move close to each other. Whereas two strangers can come down
these mountains, meet in the valley and share the inner worlds they carry'...

Love it...love it!

Must dash and catch up on some of my work stuff!