John T. Catoir - Uplifting Thoughts for Every Day

UPLIFTING THOUGHTS
FOR EVERY DAY The Kingdom of God is close at hand (Mt 1:15). UPLIFTING THOUGHTS
FOR EVERY DAY MINUTE MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY
CONTAINING A SCRIPTURE READING,
A REFLECTION, AND A PRAYER By
Father John Catoir Illustrated CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP. New Jersey NIHIL OBSTAT: Very Rev. Msgr. James M. Cafone, M.A., S.T.D.

Censor Librorum IMPRIMATUR: Most Rev. John J. Myers, J.C.D., D.D. Archbishop of Newark The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or a pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. (T-197) eISBN 978-0-89942-103-2 2007 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., N.J.

CONTENTS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Be Your Own Best Friend O NE of the most important things you can do to improve your mental health and your spiritual life is to fill your mind with uplifting thoughts. Did you know that the thoughts you think always filter down, and become the emotions you feel? Toxic thinking is the cause of most of your emotional pain. You can eliminate negative thinking, and improve your emotional life by putting on the indomitable will to count your blessings. You can choose to be happy by filling your mind with uplifting thoughts. The mind only has room for one set of thoughts at a time. If you think good thoughts, the toxic ones wont have any room to fester.

Healing begins when you decide to move out of that self-imposed mental swamp. Stop identifying with your thoughts. You are not your thoughts. You are the observer of your thoughts. When you observe yourself slipping into a dark state of mind, think positively; stay focused on the things that bring you joy and peace. If you hold on to hurtful memories, they will only make you sick.

You have a choice. You can reject them. Decide firmly that you will not let the past drag you down. Once you stop living inside your own head you can look around, and begin living in the present moment. Listen to the birds; smell the roses. Use your senses to break the spell of gloom and doom.

Turn to the Lord, and ask for help. Poisonous thoughts will hang around as long as you take no action to dispel them. Pray for the grace to come into the present moment. Instead of wallowing in the past, or worrying about the future, let your eyes, your ears, your nose, your taste buds, and your sense of touch lead you to that new plateau of freedom called the present moment. Only there can you find relief from all your fears. Some examples of toxic thinking include: (1) the fear of failure, (What if I make a bad impression?); (2) the fear of danger, (What if someone attacks me?); (3) the fear of facing the challenge of life, (What if I ended it all?).These thoughts are not you, they are toxic invaders.

Banish them from your mind, or they will destroy your peace, and possibly end your life. You dont have to work endlessly through the toxic effects of the past. Once you decide to change, the process can begin. It will take time, but it can be done, provided you persist in your good intentions. Its never too late to change. St. St.

Teresa of Avila used to repeat to herself over and over: Let nothing disturb you; let nothing cause you to fear. God is unchanging love. He will protect you. With the Lord at your side, you can do all things. Remember the words of Jesus: I have told you all these things that your joy may be full (Jn 15:11). Blessings of peace and joy.

Father John Catoir DO NOT let your hearts be troubled. Place your trust in God. Jn 14:1 Being True to Your Inner Self Is Easy R EFLECTION. The late Mother Teresa said: If you are kind, people may take advantage of you be kind anyway. If you are trusting, people may try to cheat you be trusting anyway. If you are happy, people may become jealous be happy anyway.

This is good advice, coming from a woman who knew the truth and lived it. P RAYER. Teach me, Lord, to hear Your voice within me, and to follow Your inspiration. GOD is faithful, and will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. 1 Cor 10:13 Persevere in Your Good Intentions; Youll Be Glad You Did R EFLECTION. Did you know that babies teach us a lot about perseverance? For instance, babies cant read books about how to walk.

They just keep standing up, and falling down, over and over, until finally they take their first steps, and everyone rejoices with them. Perseverance pays. Hang in there. P RAYER. Help me, Lord, to be more faithful to Your holy Will. THE prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.

Jas 5:15 It Pays to Trust in the Power of Prayer R EFLECTION. Here is a prayer taken from a confederate soldiers knapsack: I asked for strength that I might achieve great things, but I was made weak that I might ask for Gods strength. I didnt get exactly what I asked for, but did get everything I hoped for, and today, I feel richly blessed. P RAYER. Dear God, give me the grace to be more trusting. IN MY anguish I cried out to the Lord and He heard my voice.

Ps 18:7 Time Heals All Wounds R EFLECTION. Scripture tells us that love is patient. It is so true. The service of love often takes the form of waiting, which can feel like a slow death at times. The earth waits for rain, the bud waits for warmth, and the soul waits for a union with God. P RAYER. P RAYER.

Dear Jesus, help me to carry my cross with courage. HOPE will not be doomed to disappointment, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Rom 5:5 The Love of God Is Your Strength R EFLECTION. Did you know that children do better in school when their parents encourage them to have a hopeful, positive attitude? Parents have the power to give their children a gift more valuable than anything money can buy, namely the gift of hope and encouragement. A pat on the back goes a long way. P RAYER.

Lord, help me to feel Your encouragement, as I am encouraging others. SING to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints. Ps 149:1 Why Not Decide to Be Happy? R EFLECTION. Did you ever stop to think that happiness is a choice? We can actually make up our mind to live joyfully. In fact, the greatest honor you can give to Almighty God, greater than all your mortifications, is to live joyfully because of the knowledge of His love. God wants you to enjoy your precious life.

So cheer up! P RAYER. Heavenly Father, give me the grace to choose happiness. IF I have all the faith to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Cor 13:2 True Love Is in the Will R EFLECTION. The will says yes or no. Finding a way to work through problems in a marriage can be difficult.

Sometimes it is downright infuriating. But once you say yes to love, your life will become easier. It takes a vow to keep a person on the right path. Dont give up because of bad feelings. True love is in the will. P RAYER.

Dear Lord, give me the strength to forgive, and to have a sense of humor as I plug along. BELOVED, let us love one another, because love is from God. 1 Jn 4:7 Spiritual Intimacy Is Yours for the Asking R EFLECTION. Prayer is one way to grow closer not only to God but also to those nearest to you. Prayer makes life more bearable, and yes, even more glorious. Learn how to rest in His love, as you give yourself to God.

Be still and know that God loves you. P RAYER. Dear God, bring me closer to Your heart of hearts. THE Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, those who place their hope in His kindness. Ps 147:11 Enjoy the Lord R EFLECTION. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin once wrote: The Risen Christ is with you this day.