"A Little Progress Everyday"

Ah, summer days. There have been a lot of tourists on the island lately! (Thank you for visiting!) While they crowd the main beaches and make it hard for the rest of us to find parking, they do give us occasion to seek out the hidden island treasures that only we locals know about.

The tide pools are so clear, it makes it hard not to want to jump in! ^^

* * *

Several years ago, there was a story about a college bound guy who asked everyone in the world for a penny. The story came with a picture of the smart student sitting in the middle of a pile of copper coins, happy that he could actually pay for his tuition. Even if I was far from college myself back then, I remembered the story and, up to now, still pick up the random pennies on the ground that nobody seems to care for. After all, pennies do make dollars, right?
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to save quite enough to pay for college....in fact...I'm not even sure what happened to all my pennies. o.O If I were to find them all someday - probably stored away in some place secret to even me - I'm sure they would amount to something!

Lately, I've found that this little story of spare change can also be related to a person's change of heart. To explain that though, I think I ought to introduce a friend of mine!



Meet Maggiorino Vigolungo, a young member of the Pauline Family! A bit about him: he entered the Society of St. Paul in 1916 at twelve years of age and had "a great love for the Eucharist." Although he died at the age of 14, he strove to be a saint, his motto being "a little progress everyday," a goal that he remained faithful to for the remnant of his life. You can read more about him here.

"A little progress everyday."
People are constantly changing. A person probably isn't the same as he was the day before, since the events between then (however minor) would have effected him in some way. So every day we each have before us a choice: either we miss our chance to become a better person, or we take that chance and choose to make the right choices that will lead us Heaven-bound.
"Sure, Cy, it's probably easy for you to say." Haha....no. (I wish!! D'X) To be honest, that's the reason why I like Maggiorino's quote so much; because I face the same dilemma as the next person....assuming, of course, the next person isn't Mother Teresa. (Although, even Mother Teresa had her hardships. But that's another story.) I seriously doubt that I can completely change overnight, and that's where St. Therese's Little Way meets Maggiorino Vigolungo.
Are there times when you want to return your neighbor's insult with a volley of your own? Pick up that penny and hold back the words. Can't seem to find a smile in your heart but know that your brother could really use one? Even if you can't feel it, smile anyway and dust off that extra penny. There are pennies for you to find every single day, from helping a homeless man find a meal to opening a door for an elderly lady.
"Store up your treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy."
If we choose these little paths in life, storing up our pennies in Heaven, then even if we can't pay college tuition, we can at least become saints.

Pennies do make dollars.

Say Cheese!! (Actually, I want you to smile)

‎"A smile is laughter's whisper and has its roots in the soul."
~Archbishop Fulton Sheen

One of the things that I really like about Saint Therese's little way is the resolve to smile, especially when encountered with a grumpy cashier person, a solemn librarian with a face of stone, or just someone who looks like they're having a bad day. Have you ever tried giving them just the tiniest, straight from the heart, joyful little smile? Trust me, it works, and it is soooooo much fun!! ^^ The grumpy cashier person gets all confused that you're thanking him in spite of his nonchalance, the solemn librarian's mouth starts to twitch about the edges ever so slightly at your bubbly enthusiasm for books, and the poor victim of that bad day quite stares at you as if you've gone mad (And guess what? They copy you in the end! Yes, everyone's gone quite mad. Score 1 for God!! XD).

It all starts with a little assignment my Little Way teacher once gave me and my friends:





"Yeah, Cy, it's all well and good when you're at the top of the world, but what if you just can't seem to put one foot in front of the other?"

Those days come. When I think of the martyrs who went to their often-horrific deaths with a radiant smile, I am like Saint Therese and feel like a pebble staring up at a mountain. I've got my own Cross to carry, and it's heavy enough without trying to help carry someone else's! Yeah, well, there was someone who pretty much had the same thought. And it just so happens that I'm named after him: Simon of Cyrene.

When you can't seem to compliment that grumpy cashier person because you're every bit as grumpy as he is, remember that time when Jesus was surrounded by those who shouted for His death on the Cross. When you can't seem to break the stoniness of your own heart and find the joy to share with that old librarian, remember the stoniness of the soldiers' hearts when they scourged Jesus and forced Him to carry the Cross. When you're having a bad day and can't find the strength to smile a ray of light for the person next to you, remember the day that Jesus had that Good Friday so long ago. And if not for the sake of the person next to you, for the sake of giving comfort to our Lord when all others had abandoned Him.
What would you do if you saw the suffering Christ in them?

Now I pass on to you the same assignment that I was given (see above picture). It's really nothing new, in fact, we hear it all the time. It can be summed up in two very simple parts:
1. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..."
2. "...and love your neighbor as yourself."

The easiest way to start? Start with a smile.

Have a very blessed Holy Week, friends, and may God give you the strength to carry your Cross so to be able to rise with Him on Easter morning.

=)

Sometimes Cy is a lot like *sigh*

"My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble."
~Sirach 2:1-11"

Sometimes it feels like you're walking in the pouring rain without an umbrella, cold and shivering while several cars pass you by. You look balefully to the sky and wonder when the rain is ever going to give out and a stop...and when it doesn't, you yourself begin to reflect the overcast weather. Now you could choose to wear your inner frown and hunch your shoulders in depression, but let's say you swallow your disappointment and carry on as bravely as you can.
Yeah. It sounds a lot like martyrdom. Even if it isn't actual martyrdom (or it's only a small one in reality) it can feel like it's your entire world at the moment.

As a young Catholic girl, I'm beginning to realize many things that I never experienced before. Like living in a world that pretty much sees me as some freaky alien and keeps reaching for the Raid spray (an exaggerating exaggeration, but it comes close). There's so much that we young Catholics have to deal with that it almost seems like we're going to drown. Almost, were it not for our strong foundation. That strong foundation that Father read from the Gospel this morning...suddenly, when the rains are coming down and the floods are coming up, I have a greater appreciation for my faith. So as long as that firm Rock is there, it doesn't matter if I can't see past the rain to what's up ahead. I know He can.

So now it's just the attitude you decide to live by. It's one thing to trust God, but can you trust Him with a hopeful smile on your face? Like Saint Therese said, you can suffer, but the difference is when you suffer well.

The rain can only last for so long. There's only so much water in the world. Someday soon, the clouds will have to give up. So I'm looking up with a deep breath and a Hail Mary, waiting for that first glimpse of Marian blue....

"Made to Love You" by TobyMac






“The only thing I really wish for
...Is to love until I die of love.”
“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions,
nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”
"I do not desire either suffering or death, although both are appealing to me;
it is love alone which really attracts me...
I can ask for nothing with any enthusiasm
except the perfect accomplishment of the Divine Will in my soul,
unhindered by any intrusion of created things.
I can say, with the words of our father, St. John of the Cross,
in his Spiritual Canticle,
'I drank in the inner cellar of my Beloved, and when I went forth into the meadow
I forgot everything and lost the flock which I used to drive.
My soul has employed all its resources in His service;
now I guard no flock, nor do I have any other duties.
Now my only occupation is love.'
Or again: 'I know love is so powerful that it can turn
whatever is good or bad in me into profit,
and it can transform my soul into Himself."
~ St. Thérèse

St. Therese

(A clay rose made by my little sis)(update 10/2....um, yeah, now there's a picture ^_^)

Happy feast of Saint Therese!

"You probably think that I do as I say. No, I am not always faithful, but I am never discouraged. I drop into the arms of Jesus...It is enough to bear one's faults meekly; that is true holiness... When we accept out disappointment at our failures, God immediately returns to us."

"I have no way of proving my love for you other than that of strewing of flowers, that is, not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all small things and doing them through love."

"Everything is a grace."

~Saint Therese

Guess the Saint

Part II!

It's one poem about the same saint even thought it looks like six. I couldn't get the punctuation...

There she sat a young lass
Hopeful cadence from prayer fast
Hope to save the renegade
Fervent soliloquy desperately prayed

Enamored by the great solitude
All hate did desert oasis elude
Betrothed she was though edict firm
Sincere the love, so tables turn

Stricture expected, contempt and snub
Did not succeed to erase her love
Insensate to all else but Christ
Seeking good in others, little price

Though all usurp oasis around
Nothing malicious could muffle her sound
Ever faithful to above triumvirate
Vestment confirmed vocation sought

Votary peaceful, vocation love
Canon approved from the above
Free of blasphemy, pure and true
Denouement now saved for few

Steadfast faith through suffering
In heaven now with angels sing
Spending heaven for all
Showers of roses ever fall





Oh, and Happy Feast of Saint Therese!! :-D












Picture from Patron Saint's Index

Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Picture taken by Mom. Part of a stained glass window in our parish! Sometimes if the sun is shining, the they seem as if they were glowing.

"You ask me a method of attaining perfection. I know of love - and only love. Love can do all things."
- St Therese of Lisieux

A Booklist for Saint Therese - Updated!

Picture from Patron Saints Index!



Here is a booklist (and very short review) of some books on Saint Therese! These are only the ones we have, so if you'd like to add more to the list, please please do! :-D

Spiritual Childhood
By Mgsr. Vernon Johnson
Like the last short review said, it's for a better understanding of her Little Way: God's fatherhood, love, God's merciful love, humility, confidence, self-surrender, valuing little things, suffering, and Our Lady.

Letters of Saint Therese
Letters of Saint Therese herself as well as those of her relatives! Divided into two separate books, they number around two hundred. The letters date 1877-1897

The Little Flower
By Mary Fabyan Windeatt
This one is more for the younger ones and is a sketch of her biography. It's still fun to read and probably a good start if you have a hard time with her autobiography (unless you've already read it! :-D in that case, congratulations!)


...And of course a book for the youngest ones
Saint Therese of Lisieux: The Way of Love
By Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND

(thanks to Mr. Jack for the next two!)

Archbishop Fulton Sheen's St. Therese
What Archbishop Fulton Sheen about Saint Therese in his sermons. If you haven't already read it, run to the nearest library/bookstore! :-D (no, you don't have to)

The Path of Merciful Love
99 sayings of Saint Therese
Well, the title pretty much says it... :-)

From Ms. Mary Therese!
Therese of Lisieux and Marie of the Trinity - The transformative relationship of St. Therese of Lisieux and her novice, Sr. Marie of the Trinity
by Pierre Descouvement

From Ms. Micki!
Therese and Lisieux
by Pierre Descouvemont and Helmuth Nils Loose

From Aunty Esther! (thank you Ms. Marie!)
Maurice & Therese-The Story of A Love
by Patrick Ahern

From Ms. Marie!
Everything is Grace
by Joseph F. Schmidt FSC

...and one more found at the Pauline Bookstore:
Simply Surrender: Based on the Little Way of Therese of Lisieux
by John Kirvan


Hip Hip Hurray! Thank you everyone! I'm off to the Bookstore ASAP now!! :-D

Saint Therese's "My Song for To-day"

Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee
And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!
Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me,
To-day, dear Lord, to-day.

But if I dare take thought of what the morrow brings
That fills my fickle heart with dreary, dull dismay;
I crave, indeed, my God, trials and sufferings,
But only for to-day!

O sweetest Star of heaven! O Virgin, spotless, blest,
Shining with Jesus' light, guiding to Him my way!
O Mother! 'neath thy veil let my tired spirit rest,
For this brief passing day!

Soon shall I fly afar among the holy choirs,
Then shall be mine the joy that never knows decay;
And then my lips shall sing, to heaven's angelic lyres,
The eternal, glad To-day!

-Saint Therese of Lisiux June 1894

Found here!

Taking one day at a time and living it to the fullest in accordance with God's will!

Meme Marathon!

Wow. Amazing what a week of absence does...


K, first meme is another book one! Thanks Aunty Esther! (sorry it's taken so long!!)

1. What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
The Little Flowers of Saint Francis
Is this cheating somewhat? It was finished two days ago...(couldn't remember what else was read) Will tell why on a later post

2. What is one of your favorite childhood books?
Matilda or The Witches
both by Roald Dahl
Most likely because my Dad introduced them

3. Do you have a favorite book of the Bible?
No, not yet...

4. What is one book you could read again and again?
This question pops up a lot!
Anwering differently now: Matilda

5. Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
My Life With the Saints
by James Martin SJ
It's fun and funny

And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?
If it's short stories, CT
If it's a fantasy novel, Pueo
:-)


Book meme #2, and tagged by Kaila! Thank you!!

Book Meme Rules
1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

The Story of a Soul
Saint Therese

"I myself found only one which filled me with delight, Our Lady of Victories! Ah! what I felt kneeling at her feet cannot be expressed. The grace she granted me so moved me that my hapiness found expression only in tears, just as on the day of my First Communion."




And the last one is a Lent Meme! Thanks again Aunty Esther!

1. What’s been your best Lenten-effort-idea ever?
Same as Aunty Esther's, no normal book reading

2. And your worst?
Almost the same here too..
Trying to give up computer altogether
CT and I spent a lot of time on it, but the only places we go are Catholic blogs
So you see why it wasn't a very good one :-)
We learn much from reading all of the blogs!

3. What Lenten advice would you share?
sorry, not much of an advice giver

4. And what will feature this year?
We haven't done a family Lenten meeting/discussion yet so can't really answer this one...


...And haven't tagged anyone yet!
but everyone's probably done them so if you'd like to be it, go right ahead!

A Gaggle of Friends meme

CT and I made it up!

Rules:
Answer the questions! You can give a reason for the answer if you like. As for tagging people, you tag as many as you want or as little...minimum of one. There's no obligation to play.
Last of all, have fun!


1.First Saint you "met"?
Saint Francis of Assisi
(from watching Brother Sun and Sister Moon since Mom and Dad loved it so much)

2. Favorite Saint(s)?
Saint Therese of Lisieux and Saint Francis of Assisi

3. Patron saint for the year?
Saint Saturninus

4. Favorite book by a saint?
ack, why did we make it so hard!? Too many choices!!
Actually, I've yet to find one
CT's read more of them than I have

5. Saint book you are reading now?
Lots
The Interior Castle By Saint Teresa of Avila
Spiritual Childhood by Vernon Johnson
Confessions by Saint Augustine
The Story of a Soul by Saint Therese
and Saint Faustina's diary

6. Favorite movie of a saint?
Therese

7. Favorite Autobiography/Biography of a saint?
Haven't finished reading one yet :-(

8. Favorite novel/book of a saint?
The Joyful Beggar by Louis de Wohl

9. Saint (besides your favorites) you'd want to meet?
Saint Faustina

10. Saint you look to for help?
Saint Therese for advice in taking care of siblings and simplicity
Saint Paul for help in writing
and just any saint to talk to...

11.Favorite saint quote?
Several actually...but:
"He must increase, but I must decrease"
-Saint John


12. Favorite Holy Card?

Found Here!

Reminds me that Saint Therese knew what it was like to be our age.

13. Favorite story of a saint?
When Saint Therese was cleaning the choir, she saw something she really didn't like. A spider had made its home in the window sill...and she was supposed to clean it. Poor Therese, she didn't want to do it. Spiders...kind of creepy up close...crawly...and they have eight legs!?! Taking a deep breath, she swept the spider off the sill, dusted it across the floor as fast as she could, opened the door of the choir, swept it out, and quickly shut the door. Whew.

14. If you could go anywhere on a pilgrimage to a saint's homeland, where would it be?
Assisi

15. Any Blesseds or Venerables that you would like to become canonized?
hmmm....
Blessed Damien
Blessed Mother Marianne
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Blessed James
Venerable Thecla


Now the ever hardest part.
tagging...
Mom
Kaila
Joey
...and anyone else who is on the sidebar or elsewhere and wants to do it!!

Last

Love

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

-Saint Augustine

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. -Saint Teresa

All that we do is a means to an end, but love is an end in itself, because God is love.

-Saint Edith Stein

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.
-Saint Therese

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.

-Saint Francis of Assisi

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found - not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Love is not to be purchased, and affection has no price.

-Saint Jerome

Description

Another description of humility is accepting the crosses God gives you. They are given for a reason.



No more videos after this, I promise. :-D

Third

Thanks Aunty Esther for the really neat animated wreaths! :-D

Humility


Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.
-Saint Augustine

However great the work that God may achieve by an individual, he must not indulge in self-satisfaction. He ought rather to be all the more humbled, seeing himself merely as a tool which God has made use of.
- St Vincent de Paul

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.
-Saint Therese of Lisieux

Don't permit your misery or defeats to depress you. Rather let them be steps by which you descend the deep mine where we find the precious gem of holy humility.
- Saint Paola Frassinetti

We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.
-Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne


We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.
-Saint Teresa of Avila

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.
-Saint Patrick

Second of Advent

Abandonment

In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection, because it stands in the center of its own humility. -St. John of the Cross

Believe me, the writing of pious books, the composing of the most sublime poetry; all that does not equal the smallest act of self-denial.
-St. Therese of Lisieux

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.

-Saint Francis of Assisi

Thou must be emptied of that wherewith thou art full, that thou mayest be filled with that whereof thou art empty.

-Saint Augustine

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Thanks to Aunty Esther for the wreath! :-D
Quotes again, found here here and here.

I guess to repent and change our ways as Saint John said this morn, we have give up much.

May it Be

I really really like this song
I had borrowed it from the library, then a visit to Kaila's blog reminded me of it. (thanks)





I know LOTR is old...but here are the words to the song as found on the Song track case:

May it Be
By Enya

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now


We probably will never have to travel to a place as dark as Mordor to save the world. Sometimes, though, we become discouraged with the entire world, or just trying get through the day's problems. That's where confidence arouses. We are confident that God will lead us through our troubles, however many. We trust Him to lead the way through the dark.
Darkness is longer this time of ending year, but the light of Christmas drives it away. We must prepare ourselves for the coming of light during the Advent.

Advent

Happy New Liturgical Year!

There are four main parts of Saint Therese's Little Way and four weeks (well, mostly) of Advent. Hopefully the posts match the readings of the Sunday...but here goes...

Confidence

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.

-Saint. Francis of Assisi

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.

-Saint Patrick

My hope is in Christ, who strengthens the weakest by His Divine help. I can do all in Him who strengthens me. His Power is infinite, and if I lean on him, it will be mine. His Wisdom is infinite, and if I look to Him for counsel, I shall not be deceived. His Goodness is infinite, and if my trust is stayed in Him, I shall not be abandoned.
-Pope Saint Pius X

For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever.
-Saint Therese

I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.
-Saint Dominic Savio

To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.

-Saint. Jerome

Quotes found here

and here

...and here too

Thanks to Aunty Esther for the picture!

Quotes

I should have posted this last week!

Quotes and pic found on Patron Saint's Index and Wikiquote

He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.

–Saint Francis of Assisi

If I am not [(in the state of grace)], may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.

–Saint Joan of Arc

What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.

–Saint Patrick

It is love alone that gives worth to all things.

–Saint Teresa of Avila

Walk in the way of the Lord with simplicity and do not torment your spirit. You must hate your defects, but with a quiet hate, not troublesome and restless.

–Padre Pio

Music is the exaltation of the mind derived from things eternal, bursting forth in sound.

–Saint Thomas Aquinas

Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.

–Saint Rose of Lima

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.

–Saint Therese of Liseux

Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

–Saint Clare of Assisi

Saint Therese

Just three lovely pictures of Saint Therese found on Patron Saint's Index
It always amazes me how she remembers events of her life. She recalled in her book stories of her younger self in nearly full detail! I wonder if she's the patron saint of memory...

:-)

Happy Feast Day!

Happy Feast day of Saint Therese!




(wahhoooo! I finally posted a video! um..I have no idea what those other stuff at the end of the video are. so it's prabably not good to click on them)

For more to read on this lovely day, Mrs. Esther, Mrs. Micki, CT, Joey, and Mom have some wonderful (and funny) posts.

ETWN has some quotes and prayers

...and here is a link for her poems. (it's working this time!)

"Jesus set the book of nature before me and I saw that all the flowers he has created are lovely. The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wildflowers to make the meadows gay. It is just the same in the world of souls - which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but he has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice his eyes whenever he glances down. Perfection consists in doing his will, in being that which he wants us to be.
Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be - and becoming that person. "- Saint Therese of Lisieux, from Story of a Soul