Lent Update

I'll bet you thought I gave up blogging for Lent! Not really; it has just fallen way on the back-burner lately for lots of reasons. I think I'm coming back....because I need an outlet for me. I am finding myself to be in a weird phase of life with 4 of my 6 children out of the house and the remaining two frequently in their rooms 90% of the time when they ARE home! Strangely, my life no longer revolves around my children and I've been at loose ends a little, lately.

I could get back to painting the trim in the basement, which I abandoned around Thanksgiving because Holidays, you know. I'm going to do that because it needs to be done, and I'm am also going to do some other things for myself.

I have plans to knit (of course), and sew, and read, and walk (a lot), and maybe blog. It is time to start remembering who I was before children....Well, maybe not. I am a different, hopefully better, person than I was before children, so I can't ever go back to that, but I can test the waters and find out who this new person is when she's not busy with Mom Stuff.

Minimalist Blogging

For a while now I have joked with friends about my goal of becoming a "minimalist blogger"----not one who rarely posts, as I do, but one whose posts are short and sweet. I always feel too rushed to write a well thought out article worthy of sharing, so I end up just chit-chatting, which isn't exactly newsworthy or shareworthy. Lately, I have not had the time or inclination for that, either, but I find that I don't really want to quit altogether. Strange, but true. So, I'm going to give the minimalist blogging a try and see how that develops.


How do you feel about blog posts? Do you like long articles or short snippets that you can get through quickly? NB: I am relying on your comments here! ;-) Please comment and let me know what kind of posts you like, in general. Not just from me, but anyone.

~~~

I whipped up these mittens last week out of Paton's Classic Wool. Made to fit my hands, they seem a little long in the fingers, but that may be true of all mittens. I know that mittens have been made out of pure wool for ages, but these will definitely felt if I make too many snowballs with them! Maybe that would be a good thing?

Are we Friends?

Funny post title! Does it have you wondering?

Lately, I've been getting quite a few friend requests on Facebook. I think they're mostly spam because the people don't have any other friends to speak of. But there are some that do. My FB account is pretty secure, unless they've made changes that I don't know about, so I don't usually get strange friend requests.

I keep my FB friends limited to IRL friends and occasional blogger friends with whom I've developed a relationship over the years of commenting on each other's posts. So, if you have made a friend request that I have ignored, please don't be offended. It just means you need to comment regularly so we can get to know each other!

xo

Weekly Rambles

::Weekly Rambles::

What’s really on my mind and heart?

I am still on a high from my adventure with Meg Saturday. We went with our American Heritage Girls on a "high adventure" activity which involved a high ropes course. This is the first time Meg was old enough for these activities, so I stayed and participated, too. "High" seems to be the operative word in that paragraph!

That's about 55' up---we climbed the cargo net and crossed to the other side; there were four sections of varying difficulty. The hardest being a tightrope (high wire?) with obstacles. It was fun and not nearly as scary being up there as I expected! I found stepping off the ledge to rappel down the most challenging.

Standing directly under it while Meg rappels down gives you a better idea of how high it is! 

Then we climbed a higher cargo net to a 75' aerie so we could ride the quarter-mile zip line. Standing on the ledge while they got everyone situated was a little nerve-wracking for some, but, again, I found stepping off the platform to be the hardest!

The point of these activities, and the whole day, is to build thinking skills, to grow as a team, and challenge yourself. We all had partners on the TEC course that we were responsible for keeping safe, and we crossed some of the sections as a pair or a team. It was a great experience!

What am I thankful for?

Today I'm especially thankful for my new, fleece-lined rain boots. It's cold and rainy with "bitter cold" moving in behind the rain. Fun.

What’s going on in school?

The usual. Last week for the home schoolers who get a full week off for Thanksgving! 

What’s on the needles?

This shawl. It's actually OFF the needles. It's soft and warm, but not as large as I would like.

There's a "Goodnight Moon" book blanket in the works, as well as a "Lorax," and another "Cat in the Hat, but they're all on hold for a pair of socks and some earwarmers! It's kind of crazy!

What’s special about this week?

"Mockingjay" opens in theaters on Thursday. Meg can hardly wait!

What am I reading?

Gone with the Wind and Kristin Lavransdatter: The Cross. Nothing new there. I'm supposed to be reading Forgiven for book club this week. I should order that!

What am I praying about?

Healing for lots of people, especially my uncle who is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his colon, and my sister-in-law who has a lot of struggles and cannot put weight on her ankle for a couple of months. Greg Willits of The Catholics Next Door podcast who is in the process of finding a diagnosis for new health concerns. Sounds alarmingly like ALS or Parkinson's to me. :-(

A few prayers would be nice for my own physical exams this week. Shouldn't be any big deal, but you never know. Thanks!

What projects are happening at home?

Cleaning up the yarn detritus is a never ending battle! Now, the big push is on to get ready for Thanskgiving and prepare Christmas presents for anyone we might see over the holiday. That will save shipping costs and be a huge weight off the shoulders during Advent.

~~~~

What did you think about A Week in My Life? It was hard to keep up with for me! I'm not sure I enjoyed reading all the minutiae of everyone's life. What do you

like to read about here? I'm all about knowing what you want to know! :-)

Yay! Quick Takes!

---1---

My, it's been a long time since my last post!  I guess the 7 posts in 7 days sort of did me in---even though I did only 5. I've been discovering that the days go really well if I don't sit down at the computer in the mornings.  I can check my mail on my phone, and go about my day Getting Things Done.  But morning is definitely the blogging time, so...

---2---

I enjoyed this post over at CatholicMom.com on overcoming one's Negative Nancy tendencies. Maybe you're not Negative Nancy, but there's probably help for dealing with the whiners in your life there, too.

---3---

I'm excited to start this huge project of The Sock Yarn Blanket thanks to the generosity of fellow knitters who gave me their sock yarn scraps.  It's crazy, like a crazy quilt, and it's big, and you have to take it with you wherever you go as it grows, and I may be the only one who likes it.  But I'm making it.  

---4---

I made a fun discovery on Amazon the other day!  I was looking up a book I'm interested in, and saw a little note that said I could buy the Kindle copy, and then for just 3 easy payments of $29.95a little more money, I could also get the Audible version. They were nice enough to show me a list of books I own on Kindle, which ones have Audible versions, and how much they cost, so I was able to buy 4 of them for only $0.99 each!  All I had to do was download the free Audible app to my phone. Now I'm 1/3 of the way through Chesterton's What's Wrong with the World.

---5---

Speaking of Chesterton, the Weekends with Chesterton haven't been happening much since I a) only blog in the mornings, and b) rarely on weekends.  That and the fact that I'm having a hard time plowing through G.K's work.  There are lots of great quotations in What's Wrong with the World, though, let me tell you!

---6---

My Darling Girl has been visiting this week, and we have had lots of time together. I've gotten to see her more than anyone else, and it's been wonderful.  She helped me paint my kitchen the other day---a long overdue project with its outdated 90's faux finish---which I still loved, but it was time. We sanded, primed, painted, and put everything back together in record time, and....I can't stand it. It's a gorgeous blue color, but it's way too cool a hue for the rest of the great room. I love how it brightens the room when I first walk in, but then I see how it doesn't match or "go" at all, and it makes me crazy. Sigh.  What do you think?

---7---

Beverley, I'm trying really hard to get rid of my "puddles of white" when I type, but it's really, really hard to break the 35 year-old habit of double-spacing after a period, so maybe the answer is to write really, really, long, run-on sentences so that I require fewer periods, what do you think about that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Join the fun at Jen's for more 7 Quick Takes!

Leaving Comments

Since all the buzz around my corner of the internet is about leaving comments, I am dutifully clicking through to the blogs from my Feedly to leave a bit of joy.  How about you?

It's a little harder when I read on my phone----though I LOVE my Feedly app better than the computer, in some ways----so I have to remember to go back when I'm at the computer, but I'm trying.

In case you didn't get it:  That's a hint!  And if you are in the habit of commenting regularly, thank you!  Just like in person, I like to get responses when I talk.  Don't you?

:-)

Do I make you feel less than...?

Great post by Simcha, over at The Register.   Go on, read it.

I would hate for anyone to think that my home is perfection, and that you can't measure up to my greatness!  This little spot is called A Shower of Roses because I want to talk about the good stuff that I enjoy, or the happy memories, or distract myself from the stresses.  Because I love St. Therese, too, but that's a different subject.  I'm like Charlotte (Waltzing Matilda) whom Simcha quotes in the article:

"[T]here are those of us who need to not focus on the struggling so much," she says, "Because if we do, we will be consumed by it."

So, don't be too in awe of me and my spinning or knitting skillz, because I'm struggling just like everyone else. (Totally tongue-in-cheek there, cuz I know you're not!)  In fact, if you ever wonder why I don't blog for a week, it's because there's a struggle going on.  It might be only in my head, but it's there!  It's probably just a to-do list that's a mile and a half long.  I'm not getting anything checked off because I'm spinning, but it's all weighing me down so I can't think of what to write about.   Or it's because I've added so much great content to my Feedly that all my thoughts are focused on what I read, not what I might write about!  Or, I might even want to rage about something in the political sphere, but I don't because I don't have the writing skills to go there.

I read a couple of decorating blogs---I would read more, but they're very dangerous for me---I've narrowed it down to just 2.  I might read an occasional post on another blog, but I won't subscribe because those have a very real tendency to make me feel bad about myself and my home.  The two I've kept have styles that I like for the most part, and they occasionally show us the real messes that they live with while they hyper-focus on some DIY project!

I try to remember that behind every perfect blogger is a mess.  It might be a physical, household mess, or it might be an internal, emotional mess, but there's a mess!  There's only one blogger I think is "perfect," but I keep telling myself she must have her struggles, too, so I don't allow myself to feel envious (okay, maybe a little).  

There's enough ugliness in the world around us without adding to it.  On Facebook, you can just block the friend who constantly posts tirades about politics or life.  On blogs, just scroll on through or unsubscribe.  Read the ones that lift you up.  Life is too short to be angry or to beat yourself up over someone else's little successes.

Not only is life too short, but if someone does make me feel bad about myself, should I get mad at them, or should I try to improve myself?  Assuming, of course, that this is an area that needs improvement and isn't just a shallow reflection...In the end, the only thing that matter is whether I pleased God, not myself or anyone else.

 

Controlling the Internet

I love the internet!  I offers limitless possibilities---education, fluff, friendship, keeping up with family and friends, useful information, useless information, movies, lots and lots of opportunities for sin, and more.  There are so many good, legitimate uses for the internet and its offspring, Social Media.

Lately, I've discovered that Social Media is one of the best ways that I stay in touch with God.  It helps me to "pray always" through the neverending prayer requests on Twitter, FB, and blogs.  Some of these people I know through the internet, and many I don't, but I take them into my heart and pray for them.  Maybe there is something about that that makes me less concerned with my own, minor, problems, and so I pray more on my own in thanksgiving for my blessings.

Unfortunately, it has become more clear to me than ever that it really interferes with my primary vocation.  I am so thankful that I did not have the internet or a smart phone when my children were little!  With all due respect to the holy vocation of motherhood, staying home with just littles can be a bit mind-numbing at times, and I, for one, would have been in front of the computer way too much!

Since the New Year, I've been trying to spend the first moments of the day at the kitchen table reading my Daily Catechism, some other spiritual reading, and a little journaling.  Very little. ;-)  I don't actually consider myself a writer; I just want to record what I was thinking, or better, what I was inspired by in that morning's reading.  But please don't be impressed, because I'm fairly sporadic, and since I'm reading the Catechism from my phone, I have to really fight (and often lose) the battle to check email at the same time!

On Wednesday I did my prayers, and had to go almost immediately to take Tom to school (it was Late Day), and when I got home I immediately sat down at the school table.  I practically never do that because I have to decompress after the morning traffic!  The whole day was jam-packed with productivity, and it was awesome.

Productivity plummeted the next day when I saw my Google Reader and there were so many blogs to catch up on!  I spent more time on Twitter and FB, and was trying all day to keep up with everything.   It wasn't a very good day.  It wasn't a very bad day, either, and I certainly understand that there are good days and very bad days whether one prays, or not,  but there was a level of franticness (is that even a word?)  and dissatisfaction all day that hadn't been there on Wednesday.

I also had (what I thought was) a good idea for a blog post, but it got lost in the mire of tweets and blog posts that I spent all day reading.  Not to mention that the time for blogging was sucked into that same black hole that is The Internet!  So, while there were a lot of extra prayers said for those who crossed my path online, there was also a lot of wasted time which St. Peter will probably ask me to account for when I meet him at the Pearly Gates!

This weekend I'll probably be found brutally pruning my online reading list.  :(  I ordered a bunch of books from the library, and bought one free on Kindle today, which is crazy when you consider the amount of time I have not been spending reading books in the past couple of months.  But it's time to remedy that.  I really want to be present in this life, not found reading my phone at any given moment.  Of course, the kids will still need to make sure they divert my attention from a book to them before telling me their important news, but at least my reading will be more satisfying!

Does anyone else have this problem?  I sort of long for the days of the Dumb Phone, but Verizon doesn't sell those anymore, and I do love my iPhone because it can handle so many chores for me,  but it's time to take back control!

--- 1 ---

I can't believe it's Friday already!  What happened to Tuesday and Wednesday?  I know what happened to Thursday---it was just busy!

--- 2 ---

Loving Simcha's post from yesterday about stem cell research and the Church!  If I were having babies still, I'd definitely be saving their cord blood, if not for my family, for anyone else who needs it.  And I think everyone should be registered as a bone marrow donor because it really does save lives.  My favorite quote:

And yet the field has shown mixed results, if by “mixed results” you mean “dismal and unmitigated failure.”  When asked to list “diseases cured by embryonic stem cell therapy,” Google Chrome said,  “Aw, snap.  The information you are looking for does not appear to exist.”  It then asked, “Did you mean ‘adult stem cell cures?’”  and offered 13,700,000 results. 

--- 3 ---

Last night was my regular AHG board meeting, and, instead of rushing around trying to make dinner before I left, I let Meg do it for her Cooking badge.  She had to make pizza dough from scratch.  (I let her do the rest of it, too.)  She used Barbara's easy, yummy recipe.  From what I heard, everyone enjoyed it very much.  

--- 4 ---

I didn't get to post on Wednesday's yarn along because I was busy deciding what to knit next.  I tried on the Slinky Ribs (Wendy Barnard) sweater I've been working on which fit much better than I expected, but I had made some choices and mistakes that I didn't really care for, so  I'm frogging it in favor of this V-neck.  I'll go back to it eventually because I love it.

--- 5 ---

Have you heard that Advent is just around the corner?  Yikes.  I mean, it's a good thing, and I love the New Church year, but I'm so not ready.  Not ready to keep the dog away from the Christmas tree!  Maybe the theme this year will be Simplicity.  Simplicity, all the way around, sounds like a really good thing.

--- 6 ---

Are you disliking the new Google Reader, too?  I can't stand it.  I miss the sharing button, not that I did very much of that, but I always knew that I could!  Mostly I hate it because it's white and blinding.  It occurs to me that the people designing this new nightmare have young eyes.  The "updated blogger interface" is the same way, which I don't use because I can't stand the excessive white space.  Who do you complain to?  

--- 7 ---

Normally, or Last Week, I would've just clicked the Share button on this one, but even then you might not see it or click over.  You should, though.  Go read what Elizabeth has to say about children growing up.  Sometimes I feel like such a failure, and I have to remind myself that my job is to do God's will for myself.  My children have to follow their own path and use the free will that God gave them.  I might not like how they use it, but that's not my choice, and it doesn't reflect on my parenting the way I think it does.


I'll keep telling myself that, and I'll keep praying!

~~~~

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The Art of Writing

People are telling me I should write a little every day, that its a good habit to get into, but I find myself casting about for ideas, and I don't come up with anything.  Now, I don't believe that I go through an entire day, or days, without a worthwhile thought, but I have noticed that reading a lot of other blogs knocks ideas right out of my head!  My mind is also filled up with to-do lists and worries.  There are a lot of things I need to do around the house and for AHG, and there are a lot of things I want to do.  So, my brain is definitely busy!

I wake up in the morning, and I might have some vague idea of what I want to blog about, swirling about amidst the to-do lists, but as I sleepily peruse the internets, any kernel of an idea I might have had disappears.  What is that?  Brain overload?  Too much switching  from subject to subject?

Astute readers will notice that the first thing I do when I get up is hit the computer instead of hitting my knees to pray.  I do make my morning offering, but I don't think it does much good for me to address my thoughts to God in my typical sleepy condition, so I don't do morning meditations as I know I ought.  I have this nagging suspicion, however, that if I were to do it that way---morning offering, meditation, then blogging----I would more easily find subjects to write about.

What do you think?  If you blog frequently, how do you pick your topics?  Do you pray first, and do you think it helps your blogging?

There.  I found something to write about.  Now it's your turn to help me out and give me some answers.  :-)

Spring Break!

Hooray!  Spring Break for the Homeschool has finally arrived, though to be honest, we've had little breaks when the other 2 schools had break.  It was unintentional, but we were definitely a bit slack when they were home.  We don't have plans to go out of town, but I hope we'll do some fun stuff while the kids are home and I won't spend all my time working on my To Do List!

~~~~~~

BLOGGING QUESTION!!!

Blogger tells me I'm out of storage space for my photos and I have to pay for more!  Has this happened to anyone?  And what did you do about it?  I hate to pay, but I don't want to delete pics from my old posts---although this may be what happens.

~~~~~~

Saturday was a busy day for me.  I spent the whole day at my parish where a Catholic homeschool conference was being held.  I had the new experience of being a "vendor" instead of an attendee.  We weren't selling anything, just giving away a lot of information on American Heritage Girls.  Information about who we are, local troops, how to start your own troop, etc.  It was fun and very busy.  I think I only knit 2 rows on my shawl!

~~~~~~

One of the things I love about homsechooling conferences is seeing old friends.  I saw several people that I haven't seen in ages, even though they live nearby.  I saw couples that we had taught NFP to a decade ago.  It was a lot of fun.

And then there was this woman who came rushing over to me like an old friend that I haven't seen in many years.  I can't remember what she said as she came up to me because she clearly knew me well and I had absolutely. no. clue. who she was!  There was not even a glimmer of recognition as in "I've seen that face before, but I just can't remember who she is."  There was NONE of that.  I was shocked into silence---until she pointed out her nametag, and it was This Crazy Blogger The Keeper of the Keys!  I should have expected to see her there; we've talked about events before where we might be and could meet up, but I didn't even think about it this time.

The funny thing is that I had seen her daughter, Dani, helping out all morning and I knew that I should know her, but I couldn't figure out who her mother was!  Then Dani walked up while her mother and I were talking and it all became clear.  

Dani, take a picture of your sweet mom so she can post it on her blog!  

As you might guess from her gorgeous children, Shelly's a beautiful lady, too, and her fans can't recognize her without a pic!

~~~~~~

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you about the great book I read this weekend.  And, no, it was not from the stack I posted about last week, or even from the Yarn Along!  But I couldn't put it down.

Another March Daybook

Outside my window...

...DARK!!!???

I completely forgot that Daylight Savings Time exists, and just last week I was saying that we wouldn't have anymore pre-dawn drives to school until the fall.  Hooray!---oops.  Darn.

I am thinking...

about the horrors in Japan.  I can hardly imagine the tragedy over there.  I've seen only a little bit on TV.  Intellectually I know what's happening, but can you imagine the horror of having your whole world turned upside down?  Your home, your neighborhood, your whole town destroyed?  People dead, lost, missing?  More tragedy yet to come?  Oh my.

Many prayers for those poor suffering souls, and resolutions of my own to be ready to meet the Lord.  It can happen anytime.

I am thankful for...

...Lots of things!  I'm keeping a list in my purse, but I notice that I'm often "too busy" to think about it and write things down.  That seems like a bit of a problem and I can see how it would be much better to have an "attitude of gratitude" all the time, even when times/moments are difficult.  Especially when things are difficult. 

(That's a repeat, and of course I'm more determined than ever to be thankful and appreciate every. little. thing.) 

The voices of ALL of my children saying family prayers together last night.  For a couple of very brief days we are all together again.

From the schoolroom kitchen table...

Oh, it will be difficult today with my wonderful college students home for spring break, and TMax on break as well!  No one will want to work.

We are really enjoying the Civil War Unit Study we started last week.  The kids are enjoying it and LEARNING.  I'm seriously considering buying another one for next year.

From the kitchen...

Corned beef sandwiches on Thursday and some Irish Soda Bread!

I am creating...

...A Linen Stitch scarf, and a Dragonfly shawl.  After starting and ripping out 4 times, I think I've got the hang of the Entomology shawl.  Learning how to do the beading was tricky, but it will be worth it for that added sparkle!

I am reading...

...One Thousand Gifts.  Still reading sporadically.  And writing my lists sporadically.  But I'm working on them in my head, which is an improvement over not being grateful at all.

...Alice I Have Been. It got better, but I wonder where it's going now.  I feel as if I've past the climax and still have a quarter of the book to read.  Fortunately, bookclub was cancelled yesterday so I have more time to finish.  Unfortunately, my friend had to get very ill for that to happen.  I hope she's better soon!

I am hoping...

...for a fruitful Lent.

I am hearing...

...at 7:47 a.m. the house is silent.  The remaining inhabitants are still asleep.

I'm listening to SQPN's Catholic Weekend Podcast.  Tomorrow is Catholic Media Promotion Day.  Go LIKE it on FB and tomorrow (March 15) 

On March 15, 2011, everyone with a blog, podcast, or Facebook page should list their favorite 3 blogs, 3 podcasts, 3 other media, 3 random Catholic things online, and their own projects.

Then, post the link to your list here on March 15th.

Additionally, to help get the word out, press are asked to write articles and press releases for this day.

Lastly, on March 15th, go to iTunes and leave at least 3 positive written reviews for various Catholic podcasts and 3 positive written reviews for Catholic mobile applications. 

Around the house...

Simple Mom has a decluttering program going on.  That's a good Lenten Activity.  I like the idea of going through my house methodically and purging it of stuff. 

I did my clothes last week, and this week is paper clutter.  But we really need to get to the big basement and schoolroom declutter! 

I am going...

...shopping with Brendan, to a piano lesson.  

One of my favorite things...

...Dinner with my whole family present---especially when I didn't have to cook it.

...and in the "How Shallow Can You Be?" category after Japan, my new iphone.  Sorry, but I love it.  Just don't show me the monthly bill.

I am praying for...

...all the poor souls, living and dead, in Japan

...Diane

...Tracy

...our priests

A few plans for the rest of the week...

...Choir, school, No AHG (!), thrifting with my Katie. 

...Decluttering my basement with Katie????

~~~~~

More Daybooks HERE

Yarn-along FAIL

This Yarn-along is a total FAIL.  I couldn't post it yesterday because my photos won't upload.

I got them off my camera, but they don't show up when I try to add them to my blog.  Don't know if it's Blogger or iphoto.

They show up in iphoto when I open it.

If I try to blog in Safari, I can only find pics up to the caricature.

If I try to blog in Firefox, I can only find pics up to the chocolate chip cookies.  That was 2 uploads ago!

Does anyone else have this problem?  

I know you're dying to see my beautiful scarf which I finished, blocked, and wore (on the warmest day of the year!).  I looooove it.  I really needed the lift of my happy blue scarf on an otherwise Very. Bad. Day.

Google Hits

Someone got here by googling:

shower american girls

D'ya think they found what they were looking for?

I think I prefer the reader who searched for

stories about people who do corporal works of mercy.

Catholic New Media

This is a must read if you're at all involved in the New Media that is the blogosphere, Facebook, Twitter, texting, or anything else of that ilk.  And if you're here, you must be...I'll wait while you read it.  :-)

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS 

POPE BENEDICT XVI

FOR THE 45th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age

June 5, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On the occasion of the 45^th World Day of Social Communications, I would like to share some reflections that are motivated by a phenomenon characteristic of our age: the emergence of the internet as a network for communication. It is an ever more commonly held opinion that, just as the Industrial Revolution in its day brought about a profound transformation in society by the modifications it introduced into the cycles of production and the lives of workers, so today the radical changes taking place in communications are guiding significant cultural and social developments. The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.

New horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable; they stir our wonder at the possibilities offered by these new media and, at the same time, urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age. This is particularly evident when we are confronted with the extraordinary potential of the internet and the complexity of its uses. As with every other fruit of human ingenuity, the new communications technologies must be placed at the service of the integral good of the individual and of the whole of humanity. If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being.

In the digital world, transmitting information increasingly means making it known within a social network where knowledge is shared in the context of personal exchanges. The clear distinction between the producer and consumer of information is relativized and communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing. This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations. On the other hand, this is contrasted with the limits typical of digital communication: the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world, the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence.

Young people in particular are experiencing this change in communication, with all the anxieties, challenges and creativity typical of those open with enthusiasm and curiosity to new experiences in life. Their ever greater involvement in the public digital forum, created by the so-called social networks, helps to establish new forms of interpersonal relations, influences self-awareness and therefore inevitably poses questions not only of how to act properly, but also about the authenticity of one’s own being. Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. In the search for sharing, for “friends”, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself.

The new technologies allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture, creating in this way an entirely new world of potential friendships. This is a great opportunity, but it also requires greater attention to and awareness of possible risks. Who is my “neighbour” in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world “other” than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.

In the digital age too, everyone is confronted by the need for authenticity and reflection. Besides, the dynamic inherent in the social networks demonstrates that a person is always involved in what he or she communicates. When people exchange information, they are already sharing themselves, their view of the world, their hopes, their ideals. It follows that there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others. To proclaim the Gospel through the new media means not only to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically. Furthermore, it is also true in the digital world that a message cannot be proclaimed without a consistent witness on the part of the one who proclaims it. In these new circumstances and with these new forms of expression, Christian are once again called to offer a response to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is within them (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).

The task of witnessing to the Gospel in the digital era calls for everyone to be particularly attentive to the aspects of that message which can challenge some of the ways of thinking typical of the web. First of all, we must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its “popularity” or from the amount of attention it receives. We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it. It must become daily nourishment and not a fleeting attraction. The truth of the Gospel is not something to be consumed or used superficially; rather it is a gift that calls for a free response. Even when it is proclaimed in the virtual space of the web, the Gospel demands to be incarnated in the real world and linked to the real faces of our brothers and sisters, those with whom we share our daily lives. Direct human relations always remain fundamental for the transmission of the faith!

I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible. This is not simply to satisfy the desire to be present, but because this network is an integral part of human life. The web is contributing to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness. In this field too we are called to proclaim our faith that Christ is God, the Saviour of humanity and of history, the one in whom all things find their fulfilment (cf. Eph 1:10). The proclamation of the Gospel requires a communication which is at once respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience; one which reflects the example of the risen Jesus when he joined the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). By his approach to them, his dialogue with them, his way of gently drawing forth what was in their heart, they were led gradually to an understanding of the mystery.

In the final analysis, the truth of Christ is the full and authentic response to that human desire for relationship, communion and meaning which is reflected in the immense popularity of social networks. Believers who bear witness to their most profound convictions greatly help prevent the web from becoming an instrument which depersonalizes people, attempts to manipulate them emotionally or allows those who are powerful to monopolize the opinions of others. On the contrary, believers encourage everyone to keep alive the eternal human questions which testify to our desire for transcendence and our longing for authentic forms of life, truly worthy of being lived. It is precisely this uniquely human spiritual yearning which inspires our quest for truth and for communion and which impels us to communicate with integrity and honesty.

I invite young people above all to make good use of their presence in the digital world. I repeat my invitation to them for the next World Youth Day in Madrid, where the new technologies are contributing greatly to the preparations. Through the intercession of their patron Saint Francis de Sales, I pray that God may grant communications workers the capacity always to carry out their work conscientiously and professionally. To all, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 24 January 2011, Feast of Saint Francis de Sales

BENEDICTUS XVI

It's a short letter, but there's so much to say about it (not that I could say it all!).  It's a new world that we live in, and that our children are growing up in.  It's full of opportunities for evangelization, as well as chances to lose yourself in the virtual world by creating a persona for yourself that is not you.  Sure, there are trolls out there who do this all the time with evil intent, but it's a very real risk for those of us who are inherently honest!  


Here we are, blogging about our lives, but posting zoomed in photos that don't show the clutter in the house, only focussing on the perfect parts.  There are gorgeous blogs out there that are full of great material, and aren't we all tempted to think that the blogger is just as depicted on the page?  Of course, we may project a more or less varnished image of ourselves, too, but we're still tempted to think that we fall short because so-and-so is perfect.  


That said, I don't really want to read blogs that are full of the unvarnished truth, either!  The ones I find the most valuable, I think, are the ones that offer, as Benedict said, a consistent Christian witness, whether directly or indirectly.  Blogs that evangelize just with simple Truth.


The realm of Facebook is another side of the issue where we get bits and pieces of a person's life.  And how much time do we spend there, examining the minutiae and following rabbit trails, when there is a life to be led right here?  Children to be hugged and taught and loved, not only for our sakes, but to teach them how to have their own in-real-life relationships. 


On that note, I think I'll go lasso the children who have drifted away from their math and science with increasing amounts of noise, and drag them back to the table...  


Lovingly, of course.