Happy New Year!

At this time of the year, I am busy looking back at the past year - what worked, what didn't, what I'm letting go of, what I'm looking ahead to, etc.. I've even pondered my word or phrase for the year, but that's not as clear as I'd like it to be yet. And of course, I'm setting some 'intentions' - what I'd like to have completed/accomplished in 2023. 

And then I came across this (older, but still so relevant!) song by Carolyn Arends (a Canadian singer/songwriter) in a newsletter in my inbox,  and it reminded me to chill! :) 

Hope you enjoy! 

The next leap

We're never to old to learn new things, right? I think it's how we stay young! 

So... I decided to take the leap into enrolling in a Spiritual Formation program this year. It's something I've been very interested in for over 10 years, but the time was never right. Till now. This afternoon I attended my first class (on Zoom). I've met a group of people from across Canada, all who have similar interests and are excited about the spiritual adventure we are embarking on. I'm doing this, despite thoughts of fear, doubt, and inadequacy. What if I mess up???

And then this quote dropped out of my book today.  It gave me pause for thought. 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, or fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 

Nelson Mandela

1994 inaugural speech

 I'd love to be liberated from my fear. Wouldn't you? 

You may be wondering what spiritual formation even is. The definition that I think sums it up in a nutshell for me is "a process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others". (Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland Jr.)  This year I'm going to be learning more about how that comes about and how to live it out practically in my everyday life. I'm excited!  

Stepping into a New Year

The past few days, I have been reviewing my year by looking back at journals, photos, calendars, etc. I've reflected to gain a bit of clarity... what worked, what didn't work, highs, lows, gratitudes, what I'm holding onto, what I'm letting go, and so on.  I probably spent too much time looking back, but I believe it's quite true that you really can't move ahead until you look back. These reflections help me make acknowledge and accept my life as it has changed this past year. And then I look ahead to map out a plan of sorts for the new year. 

photo from jesuitinstitute.org

One of the most helpful exercises was working through a year-end Examen exercise. The Examen is generally used as a reflection of the day by prayerfully answering a few simple questions.  The particular Examen document  I used for my year end originally came from Rev. Summer Gross of The Presence Project, although I can't seem to locate the online PDF anymore.   It included looking back for consolations and being curious with desolations.  Consolation literally means 'with the sun' and desolation means 'without the sun'. It reminds me where I felt connected to God and where I experienced distress, overwhelm, and negative feelings. What gave me life and what drained my energy? With this clarity, I could look back at my soul's journey, and be reminded that God is with me in everything! 

This activity, as well as a few others, has helped me reorient myself for the year ahead. I know how fleeting these moments of surety and confidence can feel, though. I've even had moments today of overwhelm simply by reading one too many Instagram news posts on what is happening in Canada with more lockdowns and craziness. Arghh! 

Here's to one foot in front of the other in 2022, hand in hand with our loving Creator. 

Photo by Jordan Wozniak on Unsplash