The Pondering Heart Well, it's that time again for 2009 new year's resolutions.Whoopee! Ready or not here they come! We all do it.Tonight at some snowy stop light, or police road check, we'll begin to mull over what's next in our lives."Gotta get in shape; get to the gym; take off a handle or two...or three! Hey, summers coming; and me in swimsuit now...whoa!" Well, forget the "derrierre", and begin to think about the heart, and it's health; yep, "heart health".Now I'm not referring to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. What I'm suggesting is that this year's "healthy heart" resolution be borrowed from the Blessed Mother.  Recall the manger scene with the Holy Family, the shepherds, the angels, the star, etc.; do we remember what Mary was doing after the birth of Jesus?St. Luke records the haunting phrase: "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."She was doing the healthiest thing that a person can do for their heart, namely beginning to "ponder".What was she "pondering"?Well, my guess comes from the experience of holding a baby. Think back to the first time that you held your child, grandchild, nephew, niece, or god child.We "pondered" what this baby would become. We "pondered" this unique child that God created with mom and pop.And oh yes, we "pondered", and hoped, and prayed that this child would indeed flourish! I believe, it is also precisely what God wants for each of us, his children; namely that each of us becomes the unique person that we were created to be and to uniquely flourish.If you think I am wrong, then just ask yourself, about the children in your life.Do you want any of them to be clones of each other?No way!You want each child to become their unique self, with their particular qualities, character, and personality. And when they are "themselves"...wow!We "tear up"!If we have that kind of hope for the children in our lives, then how much more is God's hope for each of us?I truly believe what God wishes for each of us is that we become ourselves!That we're not phony, not some xerox copy of someone else, not a second-hand "knock off" conjured up in the media or market. So, if we want a healthier heart, let's take some time to "ponder" the mystery of what God is "up to" in our lives; the person that God intends, the person that God creates, and the person that God rejoices in.This new year take your life into your hands, and kiss it!Happy New Year!