“Ride the wave”. These are words that I say many times during my day. They are words that stayed with me since I first heard them at an Opus Dei retreat.

They help me to remember to approach my day with a sporting spirit and to look at the different challenges with optimism and a sense of humor. I bring them with me in my work as the Director of Administration at a private school with a population of 160 students, 60 staff members and 148 families. My days are filled with challenges  - some more than others. I never like to look at the issues I deal with as problems but as opportunities for me to learn something new and to strengthen my character day by day.   

This “password” gives me the chance to improve in my listening skills so that hopefully anyone I have to deal with each day sincerely feels heard and taken care of and, most importantly, leaves feeling at peace. I have to admit that I know there have been times when I have not been successful, but those days I know I have to pick myself up and get back on that wave!

This way, I begin each day with enthusiasm and anticipation wondering how well I will be able to “ride my wave”that day. At the end of the day, will I be able to say that I did put everything out of my control in God’s hands? Did I give Him my best? Was my every thought, the words that I said and actions that I did pleasing to Him?

“Ride the wave” helps me to remember not to get down when things are not going the way I planned and to meet difficulties head on. I look at each challenge, whether it be resolving a minor snag or dealing with an emergency, as a chance to offer more to God.

This attitude towards life came through my encounter with the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva and the personal guidance that I have received from Opus Dei. In both, I found the constant help I need to grow both spiritually and personally over the last 16 years.

I have been blessed to have had Opus Dei come into my life, and I am very thankful that St. Josemaria saw God’s will, bringing Opus Dei to the whole world.  The words that I have shared with you are only a very small example of St. Josemaria’s message to all of us in this effort to help us all “Ride the Wave”.