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22 MAY 27-JUNE 9, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC BY AARON LAMBERT I n the Catholic world, Matthew Kelly is a giant. He's written several best-selling books, encouraging people to become the "best-version-of-themselves," and travels all over the world encouraging people in their faith. His latest book, Resisting Happiness, touches on the human tendency to resist, and how that is actually an obstacle to the true happi- ness and joy God intends for our lives. On August 26, Kelly will bring his "Passion and Purpose Tour" to a sold-out crowd at the Bellco Theatre in Denver. We had a chance to chat with Kelly about breaking through resistance, his own struggles and vices and the impact of his Dynamic Catholic organization. DENVER CATHOLIC: Your latest book, Resisting Happiness, touches on how we all tend to be our own obstacles to fi nding true happiness. How do we break through that resistance, and how can we fi nd true joy in Christ? MATTHEW KELLY: The fi rst thing is to name the resistance, to realize that we have to break through it to accom- plish anything worthwhile. This alone is incredibly powerful and is often half the battle. You cannot win a battle you don't know you are in. And we are all in a battle with resistance every day. The other piece is to realize that resis- tance loves indecision and inaction. God wants us to become great deci- sion makers, and to live boldly under his direction. We fi nd that joy you mention by really trying to listen for his direction. When we are listening to God's voice in our lives, we tend to be focused, energized, invigo- rated and joyful. It's actually a pretty good litmus test. Am I focused, energized, invigo- rated, and joyful? If not, we probably are not listening too closely to God's voice. DC: Your organi- zation, Dynamic Catholic, is one of the biggest and most popular Catholic organiza- tions in the world. How has your mis- sion aff ected the faith community, both in the U.S. and around the world? MK: Our main focus is in the U.S. My travels to more than fi fty countries to speak in the 1990s clearly demonstrated the impact America is having on the world. If things don't change here, things won't change. So, we have been very dis- ciplined about focusing here at home. I think the main impact our work has done has been helping people feel good about being Catholic again in the post- abuse environment. People will not engage or evangelize if they don't feel good about being Cath- olic. After that, our C a t h o l i c Moments programs have had a hug e impact on Catholics and their parishes. DC: What are some struggles and obstacles you face in becom- ing the best-version-of-yourself ? MK: Discouragement. Opposition and criticism often comes from surpris- ing places, and I think many Catho- lics have forgotten who the real ene- mies are. Other than that, as I share in depth in my Resisting Happiness book, everyone has something, and my something is food. I have to be con- stantly vigilant about what I am eating. DC: How can we live out our Catholic faith practically in today 's culture and become the best-version-of-ourselves? MK: The fi rst Christians lived diff er- ently, loved diff erently, and worked diff erently. With this simple strategy, they captured the imagination of the people of their times. Modern Catho- lics, we blend in. We need to start living diff erently, loving diff erently, and work- ing diff erently than our non-Catholic counterparts in society. Around the Archdiocese For as little as $60 reach over 200,000 READERS 2016 ANNUAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY THINK ALL SENIOR LIVING IS THE SAME? RETIREMENT COMMUNITY CALL TODAY FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR 6550 Yank Way, Arvada CO. 80004 www.springwoodretirement.com (303) 424-6550 (303) 424-6550 Think again. 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