Top Applications... Part I

I am a big embracer of technology.  I think that it's a fine line that I walk though.  While there is much to be said for technology, I think there can become an over dependance on it.  That being said… I am often asked by many about the different applications which I use very often.  I want to share the top five applications which I use most significantly in my day to day life as well as my studies while I am here in seminary.  I'll let you know if the application is cross platform or not.  

 

 

 The first application is Dropbox.  Dropbox is an essential for someone like myself who works off of multiple devices and various locations.  To put it simply Dropbox is "cloud" based file storage/sharing application which allows you to keep your most important files accessible from wherever you are.  Dropbox creates a folder on your computer or laptop and syncs this folder (and all folders within it) to a server in the "cloud".  In doing so you have access to this folder from your iPhone, iPad, android phone, or any computer which has internet access.  Additionally, you are able to add dropbox to all your computers.  This allows you to access as well as update any files you use regularly.  This is especially useful when doing research, or if you have forms that you need to email to people regularly.  The way I use dropbox most often is for keeping all my research and notes.   Most importantly, I use dropbox as the location for all my class notes which I take on my next most important app, Notability.  In my next post I'll share with you more about Notability. 

Vocation Story

This is a very very cool product

I like this a lot

Following the Light while cloaked in black...

Certain weeks make me more aware that being a seminarian is tough. I am not saying by any means that it isn't worth it, actually it's quite the contrary. When we are able to attain the mindset and awareness of joy and grace which come from our trials and challenges, we are able to truly assess the value and treasures which are to be found in following God's will. This is especially important when I have a week like last week. When your mind is flooded with the challenges surrounding you it is especially difficult to focus on anything other than yourself and what you you're facing. I do however believe that the challenges which we face are those which allow us to really know what it is that we want and more importantly what God wants of us. Sometimes we make decisions based on what we don't want to happen, however I think there is great dysfunction in that scenario. I say this because decision is reliant upon what is desired of us... not based upon what we wish to avoid. Holding greater significance than our wants and desires is the will of God which is ultimately what we should choose. The art of discernment, which cannot be summed up in a few words, is an art which must be cultivated and fostered in order to avoid fulfilling our own agenda rather than following God's will.

As God brushes a stroke on the canvas of our lives, at times it is difficult to comprehend how providence lies within this guiding hand. However, when we feel trapped by our surroundings, it is profoundly difficult to see beyond the bars of limitation which constrain us.

If we took a snapshot of our life at any given time of struggle, we will realize that there is a clear and distinct focal point in that picture. If we are able to refocus to infinity on this moment... the "bokeh", or blur diminishes and clarity can be achieved. Sometimes we love the blur and mystery which provides a unique view of the world around us, but we cannot always approach life with such a nebulous view; while this view is beautiful and abstract at times, it skews our ability to assess what we should be looking at.

Basically what I'm saying is, within this cloak of metaphoric artistic language is this... Stop for a moment. Realize that what you're facing may not be trouble, but rather a learning experience. You may realize that what you're struggling with may be exactly what you need to understand your humanity more fully and to focus upon what God asks of you. This lesson is what provides us with the tools to carry out His will.

Our darkest days are when we walk away from the Light. When we follow the Light, the road becomes more clear and the path we are walking will seem far less daunting than we originally perceived. As the trepidation subsides, we realize that the guiding hand of the Father provides us with a direction yielding light as well as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit... we must be still and be know that we're being guided. If we fail do this, every day will be absent of the Light.

Mundelein...

I'm setting up my room in between sessions of being oriented. It's really beautiful up here and the guys all seem very nice. I'm excited for the year to come although I know it will be very very busy.

A cold snowy Saturday

One of my favorite things to do here in Chicago is going downtown and
doing alley ministry. I bring my bible, a bag of clothes and hats, and
rolling tobacco and papers to the men and women who are homeless in
Chicago. On days like today, I bring a thermos which I fill with warm
coffee and a sleeve of paper cups and I go down various streets and
stop to talk with those who are marganilized in society. I carefully
evaluate each situation, because some of these folks are drinkers and
some have more debilitating addictions than others. I've learned that
over the last few years, helping others allows me to realize my
calling in life. Sitting with these men and women and talking with
them about their life while giving them the comfort of a warm drink
and/or a smoke helps grant them solace in the hectic world we all live
in.

Today I was fortunate to help a friend. This friend is a very busy
person, who between studies, multiple jobs, a hectic family life, and
normal social obligations has always found time to help me out when I
am in need. I returned the favor today by cleaning their apartment
which is far less than what they deserve for all they do for me, but
my ability to take the time to clean and organize their living space
is somethig which can help make their life feel more smooth and can
bring order to their hectic lifestyle.

So why am I telling you what I do? I think it is really a situation of
doing what we are capable of doing rather than what we merely are able
to do. I regularly hear my peers, people my age rather than other
seminarians, talking about how they wish they had time to make a
difference in someone's life. I think that over the course of any
given day, many opportunities arise, yet so frequently we fail to see
the opportunity. Saint Francis used to say, "do what is necessary,
then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Know you are all in my heart, thoughts, and prayers

Be blessed,

Dennis <><