A moment to reflect
I don’t know about you but I feel like the days between Christmas and New Year often fade into one - when I’m not sure what the date is or whether I should still be eating leftover Turkey.
As it gets quieter around the years end, I find it is often a good time to be able to carve out a few hours to myself and find sometime to sit and reflect on the year that was.
For many of us 2021 continued what 2020 started. While I personally can’t believe that events like the South Australian July Lockdown (remember with the pizza guy) and Biden’s start as president were less than a year ago, I also can’t believe that we are farewelling another date on the calendar. Some of us probably can’t wait for 2022 to start, others are starting it with trepidation of what 2022 may bring.
It’s the blur and the confusion and the disorder of memory, that often leads me to take the time to reflect.
The daily examen is one of the first of St Ignatius’ spiritual exercises - daily practices which are supposed to help you notice God’s presence in your life. My spiritual director introduced me to the idea a few years ago. I’m not sure about you, but I’m not great at regular journalling or marking time in a diary or even at keeping a 3 point gratitude journal, but each year I do try to do an examen, and I have found it helpful, so I thought I would share it here
For those who aren’t familiar with the practice, it’s a simple 5 step process that looks like this:
Thanks to the campus ministry at Loyola University, Maryland for the pocket guide
The version that I use for the year, looks similar.
Take time to recognise that we are in the presence of God
Give thanks for the year
Review each month of the year - what was the things to be grateful for? What were the hard things? What brought me joy? What challenged me?
What patterns are emerging?
What could I have done or said differently? What do I need to bring to God?
Where do I feel God is leading me into this next year?
In light of the focus of this blog, we could also ask “how did we love others well? How could we love others differently? What is God inviting me to be a part of in this coming year?”
And a thank you
Thank you for journeying with me this year. As always, this is more than a blog - it’s an invitation to be part of community - so if you would like to share, I’d love to hear any reflections on what this year has been like for you.
Regardless of whether you have the time to reflect, or just need to put one foot in front of the other to get into next year, I pray that you will be aware of the presence of love, peace and beauty with you this holiday season.
Stacie
