“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”  — Rumi

The other day, the priest at my church said something that caught my attention. He spoke about becoming what he called an “Ambassador of Reconciliation.”

“Are there individuals you have chosen to walk away from?” he asked. “Are there individuals you have chosen not to walk toward?”

If so, he said, then perhaps you should see yourself as an Ambassador of Reconciliation: a person who can bring reconciliation to a person or a situation that needs healing.

This got me thinking. Where can I bring healing to my life? Where can I be an Ambassador of Reconciliation? Who have I walked away from? Who have I not walked toward?

I am a big believer that we all need healing. I believe we are all walking around wounded, and that those wounds play out in all of our relationships.

Whether we care to admit it or not, sometimes we don’t even know why we are so angry, why we are so hurt, or why we have such a strong reaction to a certain person or situation in our lives.

I believe that being aware and awake in one’s life is a personal responsibility. We must all work to know ourselves, to understand ourselves, and to be loving, kind and compassionate to ourselves. Then, once you are aware and awake in your life, you can bring that awareness and compassion to others.

To be an Ambassador of Reconciliation to another, you must first reconcile all the parts of yourself that are at odds internally. After all, none of us are just one thing. We are all light and dark. We are all courageous and scared. We are all kind and tough. Confronting those feelings, and realizing that they’re also in others, will allow you to take the first step toward someone who has hurt you and say, “Let’s make peace.”

Being able to take that step forward is brave. Walking toward someone who scares you (and understanding that they also might be scared) is courageous. Admitting that you were wrong in a certain situation can bring peace to you and the others involved.

There are people all around us who need healing. There are also situations in our lives in need of reconciliation. So during this Lenten season, use this as a moment to consider where you can bring more healing to your life. Ask yourself, “where can I be an Ambassador of Reconciliation?”

I know I can do a better job at healing, which is why I want to try and become an Ambassador of Reconciliation in my life, starting today. Look within yourself this Sunday and ask where you might need to do the same.

Love,

Dear God, please help me bring healing to my life in the areas where I need it most. Please help me be brave enough to reach out to those who I have hurt, or who have hurt me, and serve as an ambassador of reconciliation. Amen.

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INSPIRING VIEWS ABOVE THE NOISE

Tina Lawson Chats With Maria About Motherhood, Raising Strong Women and Prioritizing Herself Along the Way

I recently had a beautiful conversation with my dear friend Tina Lawson, philanthropist, activist, and mother to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, for my podcast “Meaningful Conversations.” We caught up about how to raise strong women in today’s world, how she is using her platform to inspire a new generation of young people to find their purpose, and how she is prioritizing her own needs and self-care these days. and 

Sr. Joan Chittister Explains Why You Must Combat Complacency in Your Life If You Want to Move Humanity Forward

In her latest book “THE TIME IS NOW: A Call to Uncommon Courage,” Architect of Change Sr. Joan Chittister offers a compelling vision for readers to move humanity forward by combatting complacency and propelling ourselves toward creating a world of justice, freedom, peace, and empowerment. 

Martha Beck Explores How Contradicting Your Pain Can Lead to Happiness

In her latest piece, SP columnist Martha Beck explains how focusing only on what we already believe about ourselves can keep us stuck in our pain. By shifting our focus, though, Martha says, we can get out of dangerous situations in our minds.” 

Sr. Simone Campbell Explains How She Is Using Catholic Social Justice to Push for Change in Our Country Today

I am so inspired by the work of Architect of Change Sr. Simone Campbell, author of “A Nun on the Bus: How All of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community.” She has devoted her life to public policy, advocating for systemic change on issues of economic justice, immigration reform, and healthcare.

Artist Wendi Knox Reveals Why We Need to Break Out of the ‘Age Cage’

I love this piece by Architect of Change Wendi Knox, a first-time author at 65 with her new book “From Muck to Magic.” Wendi uses her words, art, and voice to uplift, inspire, and remind us that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

INFORMATIVE NEWS ABOVE THE NOISE

1. In the Wake of Allegations, Joe Biden Responds that He Will Be More Mindful of ‘Personal Space’: Former Vice President Joe Biden stirred up a national conversation this week about personal space after multiple women accused him of crossing the line with hugs and kisses, and other expressions. Biden released a video this week and also addressed the controversy in public appearances on Friday. 

2. Companies, Influencers Boycott Brunei-Owned Hotels Over Country’s Anti-LGBT Stoning Laws: It’s important to speak up for what you believe in, and this is no exception. Travel companies and celebrities, including Ellen Degeneres and George Clooney, are shunning Royal Brunei Airlines and hotels in the Dorchester Collection, including the Beverly Hills Hotel and The Bel-Air in the United States, after the Sultan of Brunei (which owns the companies) passed a controversial law this week that calls for death by stoning for gay sex and adultery.

3. Lori Lightfoot Becomes First Black Female Mayor of Chicago: This is inspiring progress. Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, was elected as mayor of Chicago. She will be the first black woman and first openly gay person to hold the position. 

4. Teacher Uses Post-It Notes For Mental Health Check-Ins With Her Students: The social and emotional health of our students is vital for our future. Teacher Erin Castillo asks her students each Monday to place a post-it note with their name on the back on a feelings chart she’s created in her classroom. She then talks privately throughout the week with each child about their feelings and if they need to talk. 

5. What Some Companies Are Doing to Stop Ageism and Create a More Inclusive Culture: This is an interesting read from Fast Company on how companies are dealing with older job applicants as our population is getting older. I’m glad to see that certain companies are dealing with age discrimination.  

6. How to Keep Your Smartphone From Hurting Your Health: This piece from Greater Good Magazine reminds us that healthy living in today’s digital world requires defining the time and place for technology.

7. A High School Robotics Team Built a Customized Toy Car for a Boy Who Can’t Walk on His Own: This story will make you smile. The robotics team at Farmington High School in Minnesota took on the challenge of building a motorized toy car for 2-year-old Cilian Jackson, who can’t walk due to a genetic condition. 

8. Yippee Moment of the Week! This video of a father practicing ballet with his son is so moving. Dad Brendan decided to take on the art form so he could spend more quality time with his son, Ollie, 9, who’s been dancing since the age of 2. 

THE SUNDAY PAPER IS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE WOMEN’S ALZHEIMER’S MOVEMENT

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Joins Bill Gates in the Fight to Wipe Out Alzheimer’s   

We’ve known that women are at an increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s for quite some time. Now, a new study provides more details on why the ways in which our reproductive years and exposure to hormone may play a role. 

A RECIPE FOR YOUR SUNDAY DINNER

We’re happy to be sharing another healthy recipe from our Sunday Paper Ambassador Mary Abitanto. Spice up tonight’s dinner with Chicken & Rice Burrito, a  delicious crowd-pleaser from Mary’s cookbook “Mariooch’s Kitchen Food That Will Gather Your Family.” 

A SUNDAY REFLECTION

SHOP, SHOP SHOP! AThe Maria Shriver Collection: Good for You, Your Mind, & the World 

Visit the shop on MariaShriver.com to get Maria’s book “I’ve Been Thinking,” her coloring book for Alzheimer’s “Color Your Mind,” the Maria candle, Rivet Revolution bracelets benefiting The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, her new Maria BrainHQ program, and more!

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