Just Leave Me Alone!

Remember the song “I Think We’re Alone Now”? It was a big hit in the late 60’s and again in 1987. For most people, the idea of being alone can be a bit frightening. And while the lyrics of the song suggest one thing, the statement, “I think we’re alone now” is probably the way a lot of people feel - alone.

Being alone is an interesting concept. On one hand, there are times when maybe we just want to “be alone” because it’s what we need at the time. Maybe there’s a lot going on, or things are just too chaotic and being alone is the best way we can work things out in our minds or sort out our thoughts. During times like this, being alone can be a very positive and productive thing. I know from personal experience that there have been times when having some time alone has helped me to see more clearly the answers I’m looking for. I used to be a runner and I remember the times I would be out there running by myself, I would do what I’d call my “best thinking” because I was alone, without any distractions. Some people will often go for a walk alone in an effort to clear their minds or to find answers. I think that for most people, having some “alone time” can be a good thing.

Count Your Blessings

This year, at our parish Penance service during Advent, our pastor, who can tend to move things along rather quickly sometimes (oops, did I just say that out loud?), gave the people in attendance a “group penance” rather than individual penance for everyone. It’s a bit unorthodox but still meaningful. Instead of the traditional “2 Our Fathers” or “4 Hail Mary’s”, instead he simply asked us to look at our hands and for each finger, count our blessings. In a way, this is brilliant. Instead of focusing on our sorrow for our sins, it allowed us to turn our attention to all the good things God gives us each and every day.