In examen, Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, recommended that the brothers examine their lives twice each day—at lunch and at night before bed. For me, doing it once a day is hard enough!
I use the examen questions as they are interpreted by the authors of Sleeping with Bread, a book by Dennis, Sheila and Matthew Linn:
For what moment today am I most grateful? For what moment today am I least grateful?
They say to ask God to bring to your heart the moment for which you are the most grateful. Then they suggest you breathe in gratitude and thank God. Then breathe out fear.
What about you? Do you have a practice that helps you deal with stress, that helps you feel centered?
This message was adapted from the blog, “For Lent: Spiritual Self Care,” written by Kate Sprutta Elliott.