“Pilgrimage of a Soul” by Phileena Heuertz, Pt.1 :: by Aaron Strumple

ifiblogged:

My wonderful friends, the Heuertz, inspire me so much through their work with Word Made Flesh among the world’s most vulnerable of the poor.  If you’ve read my blog recently, you’ve probably found a post reflecting on a part of Chris’ book, “Friendship at the Margins.”

Well, Phileena has very recently come out with a new book called “Pilgrimage of a Soul” which hits key themes of contemplative living and pilgrimage, both near and dear to my heart.  She writes:

Experiencing a certain deficit of our particular “program for happiness” causes us to develop an alternative way of living in relationship.  This is where toxicity develops.  In essence we develop a mask or a costume to hide behind to try to gratify our need for power and control, affection and esteem, or security and survival.  Maybe if I create a mask I will feel safe and get the attention and acceptance that I want.  Maybe the mask will be more interesting than the real thing.  Maybe the mask is more lovable that I am.

When I focus my energy in making myself into someone others will like, not even for their sake, but to fulfill my needs for esteem and affection, I’m caught up in a super ugly journey leading away from the person God’s carefully made me to be, pursuing Him and loving His family.  And for me it’s more than learning to say “no” to unnecessary obligations, tho that is a significant step.  It’s about viewing every conversation and decision as a moment to be stellar, as a moment to aggressively step into the beauty that’s been deposited within.

Well, you should definitely go and get this book.  I LOVE IT!  And then, go be your stellar self.

“Pilgrimage of a Soul” by Phileena Heuertz, Pt.1 :: by Aaron Strumple