Photo was taken at Col√°iste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co.Cork (Irl)

Our photo today records the moments the earthquake struck Chile last week with a magnitude of 8.8, one of the highest on record. Such was the power of the earthquake it actually moved the entire city of Concepcion 10 feet to the west. Precise GPS measurements from before and after the earthquake, the fifth largest ever recorded by seismographs, show that the country’s capital, Santiago, moved 11 inches west. Even Buenos Aires, nearly 800 miles from the epicenter, shifted an inch. The above image was recorded on our schools seismograph.

Thought on Tuesday – March – 09/03/2010

Awareness is noticing the blessings that often get overlooked in our busy lives. Gratitude for a special blessing can inspire us to look further and discover even more good in our lives. As we are inspired, let us also be inspiring to others.’ ~Author Unknown

If we tend to see today as the same as any other day then we have lost our sense of awareness. Yes there is a lot of repetition from day to day in many of the things we do, but the blessings that today will bring will never be the same as the ones we had yesterday and tomorrow is an entirely different story. Busy lives and heavy working schedules can often put on the blinkers and our awareness of these blessings. Can we pause when a special moment happens? Can we hold it? Can we allow it to inspire us? Lent is an opportunity to recognise that every inspiring moment has its roots in God.