Star Wars Gets Its Newest Fans

My Hero Husband's favorite movies of all time, he'll admit is the Star Wars series. What could possibly surpass the ultimate of ultimate feuds between good and evil, including the twists and turns of the Force, and the lessons of the great Yoda.

Recently our two oldest, Thinker and Carefree, have watched the first two (Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back) and let me tell you, it was difficult to wait this long to introduce them to these famed movies. We decided to watch these with them, be there to explain a concept here or there and to witness the joy of these films just as we did when we were young.

I couldn't be happier. We've gotten into the most interesting and formative conversations about good and evil, temptations, making choices, sin, confession and how decisions we make have consequences past our own experiences. With these two oldest children, now both able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and with one already receiving Communion....and Carefree preparing for his 1st Communion, these conversations are truly priceless.

Needless to say, they have been captivated. Not only have they been on the best behavior to earn the next in the series, they constantly quiz us story line's future plot.

Now, watching these movies with the children brought back to mind the great wisdom behind a few one liners from the beloved Yoda. One in particular caught my attention and it's so worthy of discussion. If you remember, when Luke first meets Yoda and begins his training to become a Jedi. At one point in the training, there happens to be a cave in front of Luke, and Luke with his weapon ready hears Yoda tell him, that he doesn't need his weapon. Luke in his fear asks Yoda, "What's in there?"
Yoda answers in his wisdom, "Only what you bring with you."

Now remember what he does meet in that cave, he sees his Nemesis, Darth Vador, only to see after slashing him, Luke's own mirrored face before him.....realizing the wisdom of Yoda's words, Luke would only fight the fear that is inside himself. Whatever was in the cave, he brought with him, and nothing else.

In a sense I get that. Sometimes when we are faced with a situation, not sure of what we might encounter, we get our weapons ready, our defense mechanisms, our own fears present themselves, since we brought them ourselves to the situation. The enemy wasn't really there, it was the fear we bring that we end up fighting.

And just like Luke, when we have slayed our 'opponent' in any daily situation, we find that we have given in to our fear, our issues from our past, and see ourselves for who we truly are, subject to the whims of our own lack of strength and fortitude.

After hearing this quote from the movie, I tell you, it stayed with me for days and days. Just when I think I have figured out who might be my enemy, I realize that great line from Yoda: What I may be battling in most situations is whatever I brought with me, my attitude, my demeaner, my issues, my conflicts, my weapons.

I guess I am most amazed that a movie can stand the test of time, not necessarily by being able to compete with all the advancements in graphics that our movies have today, but it stands the test of time with the wisdom that we can all relate to. Sometimes, a great lesson even for a SAHMom can come in the strangest of places, even in a great one-liner, by a little, green creature, a Jedi Master: Yoda the Great.

Who knew?

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize. It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over. Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection. But that's not all. It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on. Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right. With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well.

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word,

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick. Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass. For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving. He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me. I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom

S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

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