Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): longed; long·ing /'lo[ng]-i[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English langian; akin to Old High German langEn to long, Old English lang long
: to feel a strong desire or craving especially for something not likely to be attained
- long·er /'lo[ng]-&r/ noun
synonyms
In order to ensure our survival as a species, God has placed a longing, a special desire for more.
A secret need filled only by that thing called peace.
Many cultures crave it. Most cultures seek it.
Our human natures are defined by our longings or our lack of longings.
Where do we fit into now?
Where do we come from?
Where are we going?
Will we make a difference?
In fact, I myself do not long to make a difference in this world but to leave it better than I found it. If I leave this world with a bit more love, then I will have lived well. If people can say of my life: Now, there was a woman who knew how to love. Then I feel I will have done what God sends us all to do.
Hating is easy.
Hating is human.
Bitterness is basic and evil.
But loving requires more of everything and less of self.
Again I find myself pondering the basic new commandment:
Love God, love everyone else.
In doing this simple thing, focusing on those two things, we take our eyes off of ourselves and that is where the growth begins.
Self absorption can be self defeating. My real goal in life is about other people. My fascination is with what YOU are about. What makes your heart beat faster, what brings you peace and what calms your soul?
LONG implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain .
Wishing for your happiness, may God whisper to you just what you need today.
Ahh Christina ... I race home every night to share your space and that of others, and we're looking at an entire 10 days off, but then I would have to ask my self what of selfish needs, because it feels so good to me and that is taking, not necessarily giving.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same today at the Client and Staff parties. We watched many gifts exchanged and I know I had given too, but I wanted to sit in my small tiny corner and just watch the expressions on peoples' faces and the interactions. I'm pretty sure this is self-centered too.
Lastly, the Q Assistant was working with me today and I warned her that the day of a Christmas party was never a day to really "get things done." So after the staff party, when she came back to my office to enter data, I shooed her out on an assignment of a different nature.
I told her it would make the clients very happy if she went in and out between their tables and asked them what they had received. They are so gosh darn proud of so much that happens between them and life.
But, I'm afraid there is this sneaky part still inside me. It says that if I want this wonderful person to stay in our life at the Center, which is self-centered, I need to expose her to tasks of value. Per se opening windows ...
And, even now ... I sit here in mere thought of the day and I feel so gluttenously happy the tears have started again. It seems a capture of joy from their excitement to my corral of contentment. But then ...
I remember once one of the Sisters who had reminded me, it wasn't me, but God working through me, and she asked, "You are not claiming the Lord's work as your own?"
Hehehe Damn! Busted. Ok, your right!! Maybe only selfish when I forget Uno Him - #1. Hehehe God Bless this day and ever after!
You make me want to be a better person and follow your lead. I sometime feel like I have too much 'rage' in me and long for peace instead. Reading your words help.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and Charley. I love you both.
Anne
May your longings be satisfied.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas.
V
Peace
ReplyDeleteTo me is a beautiful word. I long for Peace. Not for just the world but more so on the individual basis. I seek it within myself and I hope that whatever Peace I do find today that I may impart some on another. Even if only for a moment. If I can leave someone with an ounce of hope and a peace in their heart, then to me, it is a beginning.
One I would hope one could hold.
Peace
Jodi
Sounds like a good direction for me...
ReplyDeleteI think it is clear that you DO make a difference in this world
ReplyDeleteMary
Christina, Just discovered your blog.
ReplyDelete- And I will definitely be coming back. God is so obviously walking with you on your journey and I can see, once again, the truth and beauty of these words:
ReplyDelete"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." --Rom. 8:28
Bless you dear Christina.