Hello Friends

I am what's called a cradle Catholic. That is, I was Baptized at 7 days old at St. Paul Apotre church in Quebec city and Confirmed at age 12 by Cardinal G.B. Flahiff. While this was a great start, I started to rebel shortly after. As my independence and invincibility thrived, I ventured out into the world in search of truth.

I was certain that I was destined, maybe even entitled, to become rich! My ego and my bravado were competing for dominance. My friends were the same, hedonists and partyers day and night. All I ended up doing is jumping from job to job, living paycheck to paycheck.

In 1992, I started my own business with a financial partner, called "Interface Productions" serving Vancouver, BC's TV and video production industry. This is how I was finally going to get rich. For a start-up company with only two owners, some contract employees and a few part-time workers, it did well for about 9 years.

 

Through my own mismanagement, the company went bankrupt and all my dreams of wealth vanished - I was 40 then. It felt like it was my last chance to make it or...

That's when life took a shocking, yet pleasant turn. I realized that I was no longer in control. I was stuck, wondering and wandering through life still searching for truth. That's when I returned to my Faith.

From then on, I have been on a quest for both truth and God. After all, from my perspective, they're both more than I can comprehend - which satisfies me endlessly. I've written liberally about my journey as a missionary and about my relationship with God in my 'Rob In Peru blog'.

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I spent a year working with Father David Johnston doing missionary work in a small hamlet called Pamparomas in Peru from May 2011 to May 2012. When I got back, I began working for about 6 years, then I became a PWD (Person With a Disability).

In 2018, I had spinal cord surgery twice on my cervical C3-C5 vertebrae. The surgeries did not relieve my pain. I've lived with spinal injury pain compounded with osteoarthritis from both surgeries and new pain in the C5-C7 vertebrae ever since.

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The neurosurgeon told me that if I have further surgery, there's only a 25% chance for success in reducing pain. In other words, more surgery means more pain. I must live with pain for the rest of my life.

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I've now lived with pain since Spring of 2017. Throughout that time, I've been contemplating pain and suffering, and writing about them, as well as, my physical and spiritual challenges and rewards. Two books are in the works - one is nearly ready to publish - and several papers, on a variety of PWD (Persons With Disabilities) and faith based topics, are available now. More papers will follow as inspiration allows.

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These 'Laconics For Life' epigrams are excerpts from those writings, as well as, from my daily reading and contemplation of the Scriptures and Gospels. I've probably plagiarized a few authors unintentionally, and I apologize if so.

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For several years (since long before my disability challenges) I've followed the teachings of, and been inspired by, Bishop Robert Barron who happens to be born the same year as myself. I've been reading the Gospels and Barron's Gospel reflections ever since 'Father' Robert Barron was still in Chicago. Bishop Barron's "Word On Fire" ministry was begun there during the two thousandth year of our Lord.

 

I still read Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections daily - provided by the Bishop's Word On Fire team - while also reading that day's Gospel which Bishop Barron is reflecting on. A large portion of the 'Laconics For Life' epigrams are inspired by these daily readings and contemplation of them. Thanks be to God and His word on fire.

 

If you would like to read Bishop Barron's reflections in your email daily, you can sign up for free >here.

I recommend that readers click the 'Read The Gospel' link each day for quick access to the Gospel readings.

 

This 'Laconics For Life' list has been a labour of love for several years. How this list, my papers, books, and this website came to be is a story for another time, as I'm still figuring things out myself. Please be aware that none of this could exist without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

"From years of darkness, a little light has shone."* Thank You God!

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I still add to the "Laconics For Life" list every once in a while. I'll update this website with new additions as I am inspired.

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Peace and Blessings to you all.

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*Thank you RH at EJ