The DAILY SPARK Blog

The Bluebird Sang A bluebird slipped a little tremble out of the triangle of his mouth And it hung in the air until it reached my ear Like a froth or a frill that Schumann Might have written in a dream. Dear morning you come with so many angels of mercy So wondrously disguised in feathers, in leaves, In the tongues of stones, in the restless waters, In the creep and the click and the rustle That greet me wherever I go With their joyful cry: I’m still here, alive! Poem by Mary OliverREFLECTION:When was the last time you heard a bird sing?When was the last time you enjoyed the peacefulness and contentment of nature?Take a walk in nature today!Come alive.

They say love is blind.  I disagree.  Infatuation is blind.Love is all-seeing and accepting.Love is seeing the flaws and blemishes and accepting them.  Love is accepting the bad habits and mannerisms, and working around them.Love is recognizing all the fears and insecurities, and knowing your role is to comfort.  Love is working through all the challenges and painful times.Infatuation is fragile and will shatter when life is not perfect.  Love is strong and it strengthens because it is real.Untitled - Author unknownREFLECTION:Examine your relationships.Is your relationship fragile or strong?Are you able to love another with flaws and blemishes, fears and insecurities?How can you strengthen love in your relationship?

WORDS OF WISDOM SHARED BY POPE FRANCIS FROM THE HOSPITAL FOR THIRD WEEK OF LENT COMMUNICATION (MARCH 2025)“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar...In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist...A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor...It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.Do not criticize your body too much.Do not complain excessively.Do not lose sleep over bills.Make sure to hug your loved ones.Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...Listen, perfection does not exist.A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”Written by Pope Francis from his hospital stay as part of weekly lenten communication - 3rd week of Lent - March 2025REFLECTION:Life is full of interesting paradoxes. Reread this ... what stands out to you?  What wise words spoke to your very core?What insight did you get? What shifts do you want to make now?