Because it has always been this way

I think Seth Godin pretty much nailed it in today's reflection!

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"Because it has always been this way"

That's a pretty bad answer to a series of common questions.Why is the format of the board meeting like this? Why do we always structure our annual conference like this? Why is this our policy? Why do we let him decide these issues? Why is this the price?The real answer is, "Because if someone changes it, that someone will be responsible for what happens."Are you okay with that being the reason things are the way they are?~Seth Godin

The world is our cloister

A profound reflection on the Incarnation and also on doing ministry in the world, and in schools.

~Chaplain Carey

"The incarnation was not just about Jesus but is manifested everywhere once you learn how to see spiritually. As Francis said, 'The whole world is our cloister'!” —Richard Rohr, Eager to Love

The world is our cloister

"The incarnation was not just about Jesus but is manifested everywhere once you learn how to see spiritually. As Francis said, 'The whole world is our cloister'!” —Richard Rohr, Eager to Love

A prayer attributed to St. Francis

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Screen Addiction Is Taking a Toll on Children

By JANE E. BRODY

 JULY 6, 2015 6:00 AM

In The New York Times

Excessive use of computer games among young people in China appears to be taking an alarming turn and may have particular relevance for American parents whose children spend many hours a day focused on electronic screens. The documentary “Web Junkie,” to be shown next Monday on PBS, highlights the tragic effects on teenagers who become hooked on video games, playing for dozens of hours at a time often without breaks to eat, sleep or even use the bathroom. Many come to view the real world as fake.

Chinese doctors consider this phenomenon a clinical disorder and have established rehabilitation centers where afflicted youngsters are confined for months of sometimes draconian therapy, completely isolated from all media, the effectiveness of which remains to be demonstrated.

While Internet addiction is not yet considered a clinical diagnosis here, there’s no question that American youths are plugged in and tuned out of “live” action for many more hours of the day than experts consider healthy for normal development. And it starts early, often with preverbal toddlers handed their parents’ cellphones and tablets to entertain themselves when they should be observing the world around them and interacting with their caregivers.

Read it all HERE at The New York Times