Photo was taken in Leamlara, Co.Cork (Irl)

A honey bee gets out and about on a fine January day to collect some pollen from a gorse bush (furze).

Thought on Thursday – January – 30/01/2014

‘You know that when an archer bends his bow, he aims above the desired mark, otherwise the arrow will fall short. Do the same, aim higher so that you will reach at least the minimum required.’ ~St. Mary Euphrasia Conferences

Our Transition Year students in Col√°iste Choilm got a lovely talk yesterday on the Good Shepherd Services in Cork. They provide support and accommodation for homeless women and children. For young people to hear about the story of these families was an eye opener and certainly time to reflect and think about their own situation. To have a home is a rock and an anchor. It is something we all take for granted and not to have it leaves us completely isolated, uprooted, vulnerable and completely off course.

It was interesting to hear how the people who work in the Good Shepherd services take their time. Time is a precious gift they use so well in offering love and support. With time they build relationships of trust with these vulnerable people, enabling them to pick up the pieces of their lives. Building relationships of trust is something we all need to do with our those closest to us. We are good, even experts at finding fault and giving out. A much more holistic and effective tool on the journey of life, is to nurture relationships, to encourage, to listen and to lower our sometimes incredible high expectations. Everyone has a part to play starting today.