Use your mind, not your behind!

Good evening wonderful world! I suppose I am so happy because I am writing this enjoying a lovely glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. In my quest for wellness and health, I am dedicating a couple days of the week to be focused on an aspect of my diet. For example, Meat-less Mondays, and now Wine Wednesdays. Yes - thats all I have as of now. Gotta get the most important thing scheduled first, right? I suppose I get that from my mother who enjoys a glass of red wine - for good heart health- every so often. I also have my toughest work day on Thursdays anyway so I guess this is fitting :) 

Anywho- I think that as I start to get more settled here in Cincinnati, I am realizing how truly different it is from any other place I have ever lived. To start, alluding to my first post, we are living in a dilapidated, abandoned, run down side of town. I am seemingly getting more defensive of the West End and our neighbors here because per our discussion in reflection today the poor are often seen as being invisible, and without a voice. I say they are screaming but the peeps up in Washington are wearing ear plugs. I'm really referring to the ridiculous billion dollar cuts that are being made to the SNAP food benefit program nationwide. This is causing families to go from getting 400 in food stamps for 4 people, to getting $50. To make it personal, I will be going from getting 200 to 140- approximately, which is still decent, but still. 

The other part that has been increasingly difficult for me has been living in a place where 95% of population in the city are dedicated Catholics. Which I think is awesome that so many around me are what  I am seeking to be- a person with a strong faith life. But why has this been difficult? Well I feel kind of like people don't understand where I am coming from sometimes because everyone they know, understands life similar to the way they do. Also, growing up in a place where there was only one Catholic co-Ed high school in the area, to trying to understand the culture of an area where you ask someone where they went to school and they say their Catholic private school first--- it has been quite the culture shock. I am in no means out to offend anyone- just sharing how a bit of what my reality is like. Growing up I had lots of friends of Mexican heritage in Elgin who were Catholic, but I never saw it in the way that I do for the folks in Cincinnati. I have been to mass more times this month than I have ever in my whole life. If you are reading this and go to mass regularly, I hope you can understand what it would be like for someone to be completely immersed in Catholic culture after not being around it my whole life. 

So maybe your asking then why did I chose to work for a Catholic organization if I am not Catholic? Well, a few reasons. One- You don't have to be Catholic to work there. A sense of spirituality and calling to our mission would work just fine. And Two- during my senior year there I realized there was just something missing in my life. I had gone to a church service in Minneapolis maybe 3 times over my 4 years of school there. I missed God and praying regularly. I had no regular practice and needed some Jesus back in my life. I figured an intentional year of re-finding my spirituality would be a grand idea.

Small side note: my paternal grandfather (who I never met) was a minister at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Skokie, IL. That's where my parents were married, my brother and I were baptized, and where we participated in countless (and most times embarrassing) church plays. When it was time for me to get confirmed, driving 45 minutes every Sunday and multiple times of the week to basically Chicago became too much. So we moved out to the amazing and historic First Congregational Church sitting in downtown Elgin on "church hill" - an area where there are a handful of churches in a few blocks radius. St Peter's was is definitely more formal and traditional Protestant style - yet wise and always feels like home and my childhood. FCC is young, lively, progressive and I would also include fun. They are both very different, but equally significant as places of worship and teaching in the timeline of my faith journey. 

Making the conscious decision to do a year of service (one of the best decisions I have made in a long time), and also a year of being intentional about deepening my relationship with God is not an easy feat- but I feel safe and supported, with many ears to go to when I have questions. Like, (as silly as it may sound-and shows how little I knew about the Catholic faith) what is the Eucharist and how is it different than communion? My program director is overly accommodating in making sure I feel included in any group faith setting which I appreciate tons. I am learning different rules of the church like why I am not supposed to accept the Eucharist at mass, and other similar questions. From coming from a history of churches who are all welcoming to anyone who walks through the door - to hearing the things that are not socially acceptable to do as a non-Catholic at mass made me wiggle in my seat a bit (to say the least).  But I can't say I'm a student and lover of inter-cultural communication and one of high-tolerance for people of all walks of life, yet be closed off to understanding the other side of Christianity, right? 

As faith is a deeply personal subject, I decided a few things. I started this blog to be transparent about this year and every part of it- so here it goes: (feel free to challenge anything I say, I am open to any conversation and comment you may throw at me)  

- I am a Child of God. Maybe you believe in a different God than me, or no God at all. Whatever floats your boat. I'm not trying to sway anyone to any one religion at all- but I am learning that faith and hope in SOMETHING is so critical for a balanced and joy filled life. I have chosen to take this year to challenge what I grew up learning about religion and the church, and to question and learn more about the faith that now, literally everyone around me is grounded in. If I do this, and if I am open to being vulnerable, crying when I feel overwhelmed (has happened often), being uncomfortable sometimes, and looking for answers (and being okay with not finding them) - then this year will be worth more than gold to me. For me, just that purpose and intention is enough. 

So there it is. That got deep quick, right?? Time for a wine refill! ;) I have a couple pictures from past fun community nights that I forgot to share before.

This is from the Cubs v Reds game earlier in the month. Demar was able to score us cheap tickets so of any game, this is one we needed to get to. Final score: Cubbies 9, Reds 1. For not being a huge baseball fan, I really did enjoy cheering on my city. 

So Cincinnati has the 3rd largest Oktoberfest IN THE WORLD (other than Germany) with more than 450,000 visitors per year. We had to experience it! Rob was a regular, but this was a first for Demar and I. My beer was gone before we took the picture (oops) but I got cinnamon sugar almonds as a souvenir. 

Now for some food!!

We were given fresh eggs from a coworker, which helped me create this Sunday brunch. Eggs two ways: fried egg with cream cheese and toast (stole from my roommates last year). And scrambled with onion green peppers and fresh parsley (also from a coworker). 

 I've been trying to stay away from pasta. I went a couple weeks away from my carbohydrate-filled lover but went running back to it with a vengeance. This is whole wheat organic spaghetti, sautéed chicken, peppers and onions with a balsamic dressing, asiago cheese and fresh basil. YUMMMMM!

On the subject of health, Demar has taken up training at a boxing gym nearby to get back in shape. He has to run at 1-2 miles per day, and do 100 push-ups and sit-ups per day. Me being a runner, and loving friends to run with, I will tag along when I can, which means I also have to do this crazy push up and sit up routine. I only do 50 a day- but needless to say I am soooore! I'm waiting to get my YMCA membership in so I can get back into a fitness routine.

 

One last thing to share (the story behind the title of this post) one of my clients this week was making me laugh hysterically during our meeting. I will never forget him, and I always smile when I remember our 30 minutes shared together. In my position I serve others, but they serve me just as much. Yes I helped - lets call him "Bob" - with a financial need, but he kept a smile on my face. When working for his nephew, Bob shared that one day he was pausing work for a moment, and his nephew said to him, "use your mind, not your behind!" Bob exclaimed that he didn't understand, and his nephew replied- "what's that you sittin on?------your behind! Use your mind, not your behind!" 

Now I thought this was equally insightful as it was hilarious. So this week, I encourage you to find a place where you may be uncomfortable- and revel in that feeling. Maybe it's trying a new workout, learning a new language, celebrating worship with a friend from a different faith- whatever it is. Be proactive about something you don't understand, go on an adventure and be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Even though this year is challenging spiritually, I am learning so much and growing as a woman, friend, daughter,  person of faith, etc because I welcomed vulnerability and faith back into my life. 

"Bob" inspired me this week, who will you inspire?

With Love,

Mary