Here are some helpful resources and talk summaries from our Overnight Getaway, May 6-7 in Lismullin Conference Centre.

‘Being your authentic self’ with Helen Hughes

We all have a unique purpose, individual to us only, we inhabit a particular part of the world at a particular time in history. We all have different personalities, identities talents, temperaments, and cultural backgrounds.

Living an authentic life means being genuine, and true to our purpose. It means living a life consistent with our values, committing ourselves to developing our talents, positive personality traits and virtues. On the road to authenticity, we learn to know ourselves better with each passing year.  The challenge is to understand ourselves well enough to discover where we can serve our purpose and others. 

Resources

• Becoming My Authentic Self - Activity Resource (downloadable PDF)

• Chapter 1 of The Way - St. Josemaría Escrivá

• Virtuous Leadership - Alexandre Havard

• Discovering Authentic Leadership. ‘ Be Who You Are’  - Harvard Business Review  (various contributors including Alfonso Aguilo)

  
  
  

Culinary Experience in Lismullin Cookery

We had a lovely demonstration from Lismullin Cookery School in Lismullin of simple and summery yet delicious recipes you can make at home. We made fennel and pear salad, orzo salad and peanut butter ice-cream pie.

See here for the recipes

‘How to own your decisions and find peace’ with Maire Cassidy

What if, instead of having to live your one life one day at a time, you could sample every life you could possibly have? Would you be happier? Would you find “the one?” The life in which everything fits?  We don’t have a problem owning our smaller decisions, because the consequences are limited.  But bigger decisions can be harder to own, to find peace with them. Hard decisions are hard not because of our ignorance but because the best choice is not always obvious. Our values, our commitments, and our beliefs in large part are what determine the best decision in a hard decision. 

In this session, Máire explored: 

• Misconceptions about decisions

• The importance of self-awareness and acceptance

• The virtue of decision-making - prudence

• The art of decision-making; The right outlook; space to reflect; owning your reality; aligning with your core values; taking advice

• She explored the pitfalls in decision-making; control v let go; the difference between goals and outcomes; embracing the suffering; no such thing as perfect; facing the consequences of a decision; God doesn’t ask for success but love

Resources

• The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

• Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work - Chip and Dan Heath

• How to Make Hard Choices - Ruth Chang

• The Paradox of Choice - Barry Schwartz

• Very Human, Very Divine (VI): Prudence in Action - José Brage