By Sister Janet Kemmler, CSFN
It seems we all desire to be happy and want peace of mind. Yet, many look outside of themselves hoping to find it. The magic to finding happiness and peace of mind lies only within ourselves when there is balance and harmony with regards to our principles and values. This is what they call the intrinsic security that comes as a result of our way of living life when we are able to work and help others in a meaningful way. What we think and do is like an upward spiral.
Our Blessed Foundress understood her self-awareness. Mother chose values to live by. She did not live in a vacuum. Scripture reminds us that we reap what we sow, nothing more, nothing less. Mother Foundress realized that to progress in being a leader and in becoming holy, we must know how to move along the path of personal freedom and to be secure within ourselves.
For Mother, we must always strive to earn, be committed and take action for what is right in the eyes of God. Mother desired to give each member of the community “wings” that would empower us with the freedom to rise above ourselves where we are able to be great in the eyes of God. Whatever situation crosses us in life, we are given the “wings’ to change what is needed within ourselves to become holy and become leaders in community.
Ask yourself: “What is my personal mission statement?” Then write it into your thoughts and heart. Our Foundress was a woman of vision. She became great by loving and forgiving in those situations that crossed her path in life. Mother understood that love and forgiveness were the keys to making change real. And real change comes from the inside out.
What makes up the fabric of our thoughts and character, which creates the looking glass by which we see ourselves, others and the world around us? We all have those fruits and bitter aspects that life presents to us. And our Foundress had her own. She understood how precious and fragile life can be at times. Mother understood her mistakes. There were times she felt awkward, but she continued to plant seeds and was patient with herself by weeding her own imperfections in order to become holy in the eyes of God.
T.S. Eliot said it so well: “We must not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began for the first time.”
It was Mother Foundress’ dream for every Sister to love, to serve, and to try again, over and over again, until we are called into the loving arms of the Creator. Mother was gifted by God to see the possibilities, to recognize the potential in others. Mother wanted to inspire each of us to dream our own dream for the sake of God’s Kingdom. And in the end, with God’s love and support, let us make our dreams a reality.
