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Resolutions and Reminders

 A new year begins with this date!  What can a new year bring? We usually have a list of New Year’s Resolutions that looks good for a few days, then gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life. What does that list look like?  Is there really anything new that finds its way to your list? 

For me, it seems to be the same every year: eat well, stay active, be faithful to rest and get good sleep, maybe take up a hobby, and try something new.  These are the things we should be doing all the time, so how does the new year motivate us to be doing what we already should be doing?  Resolutions do have their place, but they sometimes look like good reminders to keep us on track and be aware of what we need to do to be our best selves all the time.  Sometimes, we might need reminders from family and friends to help us see something we are blind to for a while.  Our spiritual life might need some attention as well.  Has my prayer life been stagnant? Am I just repeating familiar prayers and hoping God will hear them?  What about making some spiritual resolutions?  We are invited on this day to pray for peace and blessing, to welcome Christ into our lives in a new way.  Don’t be afraid to look at some spiritual resolutions.  I took up a practice called silent sitting several years ago.  It offered me time simply to listen to God. After ten to fifteen minutes, I could then read the prayers of the day with more readiness instead of rushing through them.  My resolutions for this new year include silent sitting and welcoming the surprises God has in store for me. My reminders are still the usual self-care items, but my hope is that I will be faithful to the resolution list for this New Year, so it doesn’t become a list of empty reminders when I look for it next year! Have fun with your new list and keep it handy throughout this new year!

Sister Lois Paha, O.P.

Exciting news!  A Sister Reflects is now available as a podcast. Check out the show at the links below or enjoy this English audio version of "Resolutions and Reminders" on Spotify. 

• Amazon Podcasts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts