Day three of thirty.

I’ve been using the Sacred Ordinary Days planner. A daily planner that includes elements of the Liturgical year. One of my favorite features is the weekly examen on Sunday. When I was in the monastery and during my years of spiritual direction beforehand; the exam was practiced daily. The first examen I practiced was designed by Saint Ignatius the founder of the Jesuits. Those under his care practiced it twice a day and I believe the Jesuit order continues to do so today.

I had not practiced the examen in years, until I started using the new planner. At first I thought about skipping it. I am glad I chose to return to the practice. Though the planner has a nice page of categories for self-examination I have reverted to the simpler five step method of Saint Ignatius. I have a hard time compartmentalizing my life into spirit, body, work, mind, relationships, home and resources. Is homeschooling work, mind, home or relationships? I think all of these areas in life meld and blur the boundaries. So why bother with such boundaries for prayer?

The point of the examen is not to dwell on past sins, mistakes and shoulda-woulda-couldas. Honestly, my mind brings that negative stuff up all the time. Returning to the practice has taught me that God is present in all I do and experience. Teaching math, cooking dinner and practicing kindness toward my co-works (not always easy) is sacred ground. Since restarting the examen I am more mindful of my words, more intentional with my love and attention. I feel like I have been sleeping through these years and am only beginning to wake up to the constant presence of Divinity in the small things.

I took a picture during my prayer time this afternoon with the examen page open. You can see it in the Instagram link at the bottom of the page.

Today my husband made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. He used to make them on Sunday afternoons all the time but we fell out of the habit earlier this year (or was it late last year?). Anyway, Littlest was so happy that he declared it a special day of celebration. I only let them have soda on special days. (I did let him have some soda.) Tomorrow my husband is smoking ribs. Now that is a special occasion!