One of the side effects of modern life is that it’s so easy to complicate things.
We build massive lists of goals we think will lead to happiness — personally, maritally, in our careers. For raising good kids, we assume they need iPads, expensive experiences, and schedules packed to the margins. And we often think sainthood means moving to India, starting a religious order, and changing the world.
It’s too much. Too many things to track, too much to execute on any given day.
Here’s what I keep coming back to: happiness, good parenting, holiness — all of it starts with simply giving our time. Being present. To our spouse, our children, our neighbors, our coworkers.
St. John Paul II called this the gift of self. And it’s the simplest path to holiness and happiness there is — one that transcends time, place, and culture.
No laundry list required.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, give us the strength to offer ourselves as a gift to those around us, to those that You have put in our lives, so that we may always do Your will and become one of Your saints. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
