by 
The 2014 Women’s Retreat at the Chiara Center in Springfield was another great success! Thirty-two women gathered for a weekend of rest, study, fellowship, fun, and…food! It was a wonderful way to start the New Year.
The theme this year was “Stitch by Stitch: Seeing God’s Handiwork in Our Life Stories,” and we learned tools for writing and telling our spiritual autobiographies. The group sharing was amazing—touching, honest, inspiring. But I have to say that what has stayed with me in the days following the retreat has been the laughter. We laughed and laughed and laughed. I cannot recall the last time I have laughed so hard.
Which is a little sad. Why don’t I laugh more? Could it be that I’ve been too busy to laugh? That’s ridiculous. Too preoccupied? That’s a copout. Too stressed out? That’s a shame. So I say, “No more.” I usually don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but I’ve decided to make one this year. My resolution this year is to laugh more. Surely that’s a resolution I can keep.
I resolve to enjoy my days. I resolve to look for the delights in every small encounter. I resolve to let my spirit dance with joy. I resolve to have more fun. I resolve to not be too tired—or too distracted—to laugh. If this sounds good to you, then join me! Let us take delight in each other and in the blessings God showers upon us in this glorious new year!
