My first act of 2008 was to drink coffee and watch a movie. No, I didn’t stay up past midnight. I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. and woke up around 7:30 (a nice, deep sleep) and decided to start the new year off by doing something unusual. I popped in a DVD and watched a movie at 8 o’clock in the morning! Which movie, you wonder? Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007). A good film with some very clever dialogue and scenes. Ay, matey!
While watching movies in the morning is probably not a norm I will continue, I hope that being open to the unexpected will be a norm that I can incorporate into my life in 2008. Sometimes I think there are these silent barriers that we take for granted, but in reality they just don’t exist. Case in point: there’s no law that says you can’t watch a movie in the morning but generally it’s just not something we do. Not any more. I’m committed to being open to the unexpected even if it means knocking down a few silent, seemingly-real-but-really-non-existent barriers.
Okay, so what are you planning for 2008? I know it is so cliché to do the resolution thing, but it’s not a bad time to think about what you want to do or who you want to become in the future.
"She wrote the way she lived: on the fly, without retrospect, always on the way, climbing higher."
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
The move to the monastery is the IT event for me this year. My life is going to change dramatically in about 226 days and there will be alot of change and preparation within those 226 days. I already know this will only be accomplished through an ever-deepening prayer life. Cheers to 2008!
Good luck to you, Jennifer. Your move to the monastery sounds great. I know a woman who did so a few years back and I think she has never been happier.
Personally, I’m hoping to be able to get a job, or steady freelance work, in some area of communications within the Church or a church-related organization. I feel called to spread the Good News in whatever way I can.
deerose
I was always told by Mom that whatever you do on January 1, you’ll do throughout the year. Hm. So I spent the day loving my mother, whom we nearly lost early in December, and spending time with my blood sisters (and two puppies) and my religious sisters (who made a very wonderful surprise visit).
Hey, it’s snowing on this page! Cool!
In 10 days I will observe my 30th jubilee. I remember doing a countdown like Jennifer. How wonderful for you! God bless you on your journey.
I am moving. I’m not sure when but at least by the end of August. We HAVE to get out from underneath the horrid management company…. and it’s time for us to start our lives in our own home.
Another Sister Julie - I have the same theory… what you are doing at Midnight of the change of the year is the ‘theme’ of the year… I certainly hope that I’m wrong this year though… I was miserable over New Year’s… I hope that isn’t the theme!
Blessings!
(How much does it cost for a pirate to pierce his ears?
A buck an ear!!! Arrrrr!!)
ahem… sorry…
I have no resolutions. I think that only once in many years did I ever succeed in accomplishing any of them…I completed every needlework/knitting project I started that year. But in many cases I think I set the goals to high and then i was/am disappointed in myself. Now, like Bill Murray in What About Bob, I’m just “baby stepping”, doing what I can a little at time. That way there are no Great Expectations. Happy New Year to you!!!
I am very excited for you Jennifer! Brings back awesome memories for me.
Deerose — I’ll keep you in my prayers as you search for a ministry, or one finds you!
And RHC — prayers for your search for a new home. Oh and I don’t know if you guys have heard about this new Pirate corn they’ve got now.I guess it’s going to be like a buck an ear. (Oh yes, I can be just as — er — corny as you!)
I plan on continuing in discerning the vocation to become a nun/ religious sister…and hopefully attend some ‘come and see’ week-ends [especially, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist!]
God Bless and Happy New Year!
If the licensing technicalities for myself move forward, and my heart does not quail, I will be planting a fellowship/mission beginning this year - sowing the seed. Carrying the Good News to those whom Christ loves…
So, can Nuns watch movies rated Arrrrr? LOL
Ok, I’ll stop now…
Honest…
(but only because I can’t find a decent nun/pirate joke)
For the first time in ever, I achieved my 2007 new year’s resolution to stop biting my nails. Going strong a year and four days letter. My resolution for this year is to only read work email at work, as sometimes reading it at home causes more stress than it is worth.
Like Kate, I will continue on the journey of discernment and visit some communities that I am interested in.
2008? Finish this book I’ve been dinking around with writing for over two years now. It’s just one of those things that consumes you so much that once you take a break, you’re afraid to go back, it’s so exhausting. But it needs to be done. And, on that same note, it’s probably something those of a religious profession could relate to, although it doesn’t exactly have a religious theme.
Anyway…
2008: Take our oldest daughter fishing. That’s what she says she wants to do. That and go swimming in a lake. And I should probably do more to express my love to my wife. I say it plenty, and I’ve no doubt she believes me, but words need to be backed up with action. There’s always room for improvement in that area.
As for movies, I’ve seen the first two Pirates movies, only because our oldest daughter likes them. They’re fun to watch. We recently watched The Painted Veil, which we liked. We read the book (by Somerset Maugham) beforehand. There were some notable differences between the two, but I guess that’s to be expected. The basic premise was the same, simply told in a slightly different manner. Ah, but that difference can mean a lot. Read the book before watching the movie.
I think those are the types of movies I prefer, the ones that delve into that existential something in all of us.
Well, anyway, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. It’s not hard to be a good person, anyone can do it. But to devote yourself to the service of others and something greater than yourself, that’s living a noble life.
Hi Sister Julie, I want to wish you a wonderful year ahead. Through out it, I pray the “very best day in you past be not nearly as good as the worst day in your future.”
Sister, on my site I have set up a new page, “the spirit within me”. In it I am trying to set up a group or network of friends to spread kindness through the world. I would be so honored if you had a chance to check it out and even more so if you should choose to join.
Blessings to you my friend
Bill
*groan* Arrr rated movie. Ninjas are cooler, anyway.
Me, I don’t generally make resolutions. I want to take something up this year, but I don’t know what. Some friends are trying to get me into belly dancing, but I’m not sure how an introvert would do at that.
Ciao sister, what a cool idea on how to begin the new year, yet I have some doubts about the chioce of the movie..
Anyhow, I’ve just found your blog and I was really intrigued by the name of it, A NUN’S LIFE, I do like it as mine is called A FRIAR STYLE?
Take care and hope to keep reading your blog.
Ciao ciao from Rome
br.freddie OFM
Sister Julie,
I love this blog. I really do.
Can anyone join a convent?
Are there convents in America?
Thanks, Sola! In order to become a Catholic nun, a person must be a Catholic, a woman, have no dependent children, be unmarried, and be able to live the lifestyle of a nun. She must discern her calling from God with others and with nuns. There are many religious communities (convents) in America and all over the world. Best place to start is by contacting your diocese’s vocation office or the local parish. Blessings, Sola.
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