Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, life president of Focus Ireland
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
I think I have – I have regular meals and I’m generally regular in the times I get up and go to bed, so I think so.
How often do you exercise?
I walk to work everyday and then I work between Focus Ireland, the Immigrant Council and Young Social Innovators, so I walk between them. I get up before 6am and between then and 8.30am, I meditate, pray, read and go to Mass and then I walk my dog, Zeb, in the park for half an hour. That time in the early morning is very precious for me – it’s a time to move into peace and stillness and to prepare for the day.
Do you get your five a day?
Yes. I might have an apple and porridge for breakfast and another bit of fruit as well. I live with another Sister and we’d always have two veg for dinner. There was a tradition in the convent of having regular meals and we always had vegetables and fruit.
Do you worry?
I don’t consider that I do, but I am a concerned person, and it bothers me when I meet people who are living in poverty, people who are suffering or living on the margins. It bothers me too when I can do very little to relieve it or I am not able to complete things that I would like to. But each evening, I try to resolve everything that needs to be resolved before moving into night.
What do you do to relax?
I meditate daily, morning and evening, and try to live mindfully and with awareness throughout the day. For meditation, I use breath, a mantra or just sitting in silence. I’ll move from one to the other. I do gentle yoga movements and I’m hoping to start going to a class now if I can fit it in. I love a good film or a play too.
What is your unhealthiest habit?
I drink coffee in the morning and I tend to skip my lunch. That’s not a good idea.
In conversation with Joanne Hunt
