There's no rule that says we cannot start our life resolutions sometime other than January. And since the new church year begins Sunday - with Advent 1 - I thought I would offer a suggestion for a way to begin the Christmas season, and the year, with mindfulness and peace. Today I am mentioning an Evening Review.
~Just before going to sleep, review your day in your mind, playing it like a movie but backward: begin with where you are right now, then the time of late evening, then the time of early evening and so forth until you work your way back to your awakening.
This can be used to examine yourself and your life as a whole, or it can be modified to focus on some aspect of yourself or some pattern you'd like to work on. The attitude with which you do this is important: try as much as possible to observe it calmly and objectively. The aim is to register a consciousness of behaviour or feeling, NOT to stir up guilt or shame or anger.
~Many folks have found it of value to write down, perhaps as part of their prayer journal, points observed or any insights or impressions that come. By reviewing the notes written over a period of time, you may observe patterns and trends not otherwise apparent. This practice can help cut through all kinds of vague impressions about how your life is going so that you can encounter and more fully understand what is actually happening. This can serve two purposes: it can bring into clarity parts of your life that can use some help; but it can also help separate you from unrealistic negative feelings about yourself.
~Now, having done this by either writing things down or observing, you can begin to see patterns, or feelings, or behaviours you might like to acknowledge - either in an affirming way or in ways that modify. Start by asking God to work with you. Ask God for clarity, and strength, and grace, and forgiveness, and humor enough to do this. By living life day by day, and seeking to be our best day by day, we accomplish much. Consistent baby steps will often gain us more distance than goals that sound lofty but cannot be easily reached.
God's blessing on us all during this national holiday. May we share more than a meal; may we be thankful for more than what we own; may we seek each day the Giver and not the gift.
~Just before going to sleep, review your day in your mind, playing it like a movie but backward: begin with where you are right now, then the time of late evening, then the time of early evening and so forth until you work your way back to your awakening.
This can be used to examine yourself and your life as a whole, or it can be modified to focus on some aspect of yourself or some pattern you'd like to work on. The attitude with which you do this is important: try as much as possible to observe it calmly and objectively. The aim is to register a consciousness of behaviour or feeling, NOT to stir up guilt or shame or anger.
~Many folks have found it of value to write down, perhaps as part of their prayer journal, points observed or any insights or impressions that come. By reviewing the notes written over a period of time, you may observe patterns and trends not otherwise apparent. This practice can help cut through all kinds of vague impressions about how your life is going so that you can encounter and more fully understand what is actually happening. This can serve two purposes: it can bring into clarity parts of your life that can use some help; but it can also help separate you from unrealistic negative feelings about yourself.
~Now, having done this by either writing things down or observing, you can begin to see patterns, or feelings, or behaviours you might like to acknowledge - either in an affirming way or in ways that modify. Start by asking God to work with you. Ask God for clarity, and strength, and grace, and forgiveness, and humor enough to do this. By living life day by day, and seeking to be our best day by day, we accomplish much. Consistent baby steps will often gain us more distance than goals that sound lofty but cannot be easily reached.
God's blessing on us all during this national holiday. May we share more than a meal; may we be thankful for more than what we own; may we seek each day the Giver and not the gift.
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