A Conversion Letter Worthy of Brideshead

September 18, 2018 / grainofhappiness / Leave a comment

This is a good story and a wonderful example of what it is to change your life due to your convictions.

Traveling for the Institute has not been easy. I always hate leaving home and family. But I have been amply rewarded by my family’s support of this important work, and by the privilege of meet Chauncey Stillman younger ing so many dedicated Catholic educators and beautiful Catholic people. As Our Lord promised:

Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

One of the houses I have been blessed to be welcomed into is Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia, New York. Built by Chauncey Devereux Stillman, Wethersfield is only two hours north of NYC, but part of another…

View original post 1,253 more words

The Problem of Melancholy

September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 / grainofhappiness / Leave a comment

Rosalind: They say you are a melancholy fellow. Jacques: I am so; I do love it better than laughing. Rosalind: Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows. Shakespeare's As You Like It I have always known that I am partly melancholic. Melancholics are deep thinkers and feelers; they look for happiness in the worth and truth … Continue reading The Problem of Melancholy

The Four Temperaments

September 4, 2018September 4, 2018 / grainofhappiness / 1 Comment

One of the oldest pseudo-psychological personality systems is called the Four Temperaments. Although the temperaments were originally connected to medicine, we now use them simply to understand ourselves and one another. It is a way of comparing and contrasting people's motives and preconceptions about the world. Most important of all, it is a way for … Continue reading The Four Temperaments

What People Think

August 21, 2018 / grainofhappiness / Leave a comment

When contemplating an action, should we care what people think? It is a question we all ask ourselves. Because we are relational beings, we need each other. We have a natural desire for unity. We want everyone to agree all the time, so we often find ways to compromise. Compromise is good and healthy, but … Continue reading What People Think

Grace Overflowed

August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 / grainofhappiness / 1 Comment

The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 Grace Overflowed The speed of evil Evil rushes towards us so quickly. For a while, everything … Continue reading Grace Overflowed

Fairy Tales

August 7, 2018 / grainofhappiness / Leave a comment

I have a soft-spot for fairy tales. They are an authentic way to tap into the stories of my Anglo-Germanic heritage. When people compare life to a fairy tale, they are asking whether or not it measures up to some beautiful ideal. But really, fairy tales are more often stories of fear, death, and magic … Continue reading Fairy Tales

The Patience of a Saint

July 31, 2018August 1, 2018 / grainofhappiness / 2 Comments

I talked about the social vice known as arrogance. A social virtue that hits closer to home for me is patience. I desire that patience lead me to put the greater good above the good of being understood. This is the prayer of St. Francis. This is the patience of a Saint. A simple portrayal of … Continue reading The Patience of a Saint

Questioning the Question

July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 / grainofhappiness / Leave a comment

Finding the question is such an important part of the thought-process. The answer is worthless without it. When I read a book, I may not understand how the author attempted to answer the question. But if I come away with an understanding of the question, I judge that I have succeeded in reading the book. … Continue reading Questioning the Question

Arrogance

July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 / grainofhappiness / 1 Comment

[Bingley said,] "But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.'' "Which do you mean?'' and turning round, [Mr. Darcy] looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own … Continue reading Arrogance

Faith

July 10, 2018July 14, 2018 / grainofhappiness / 1 Comment

Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ____________ Faith Faith is trust. Trust in One Who knows better than we do. It is humility in action. Riches I am rich. The Lord has blessed me abundantly. He has … Continue reading Faith

A Grain of Salt

Wherewith shall it be salted?