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
