[/caption] As a young boy, I remember my dad, who was a priest, always placed the Holy Cross on a tray of bright yellow daffodils. This sign of spring and the promise of the coming of Pascha seemed enough when I was that age. Now, I don’t know! I am much older; life is much more complex. Our consumer society offers so many distractions and alternatives. In every Orthodox parish there is the increased availability of services during this period, but there is also all those other things that sidetrack us. It is so easy to say not tonight, not this morning, next time. So what should we do? I know you’re probably thinking … Here it comes – the scolding and the guilt trip. Actually no – because this year I am more at fault than most of you! Well, again, what do we do? I really don’t know. Last night, when I was trying to think how to structure this entry something came to me. Maybe, what I need is to quiet the clamor. The word that came to mind, which reminded me of St. Gregory Palamas, is hesychia, silence or quiet. This might be the time to sit down, shut the world out and let God speak to me and tell me how to fight the slump. What a novel idea listen, don’t think – don’t talk – just listen. As you probably guessed, the concept of not thinking and being quiet is difficult for me. I’ll let you know if it helps.]]>
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