Despite the turning of the calendar on a random day we call January 1st, for many people (like myself) the real times of transition have nothing to do with the new year and are based around the seasons and, of course, the school year. In the northern hemisphere summer has ended and we are settling into fall. It’s no longer “the new year” and is just “the year”. The frantic changes to morning schedules are now routine.
This is why October 1 seems like a perfect time to set a resolution: to listen more. I have learned that most of my prayer life involves praying into my faults, praying for the grace to develop the same stunted virtues, for the wisdom to use my flaws for good and not evil, for a transformation that never ends.
I cycle through requests and needs, and the area of greatest need for me right now is listening: I have been busy, so I speed through life without noticing. I interrupt people. A lot. I try to figure out what I think rather than appreciate what others might think. So this month I am committing myself to listening, and asking God to inspire me with patience and calm.
What would you like to transform as the seasons change this year?
On this feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, some extra inspiration from the Little Flower:
Prayer is, for me, an outburst from the heart; it is a simple glance darted upwards to Heaven; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy!
Image By Kandi (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Leave a Reply