HOW TO JOYFULLY ACCOMPLISH A REMARKABLE IRRESISTIBLE RE-ENTRY!
Re-entry
Not from outer space - although it might feel as epic as that. No, I'm thinking of re-entry after the pandemically challenging time, after the lazier days of summer, after what was a change from the normal rhythms of life - whether from being on vacation or working from home or having the kids around all the time.
Read on: this bit's longer than usual, but it's something l feel strongly is for someone who really needs this to help them into a special time of re-entry, re-freshment, re-newing . Maybe that's YOU?
It's September and I'm feeling as though it's a re-entry, and re-entries are, in my experience, often tough and challenging. Mostly because I'm cross and frustrated and wishing it wasn't re-entry time but that there were still days and days of summer ahead.
I get out of sorts (understatement) and always have when returning from lovely holidays and special times. Post-holiday-blues, and they turn me into a snappy, disgruntled, miserable wet blanket. I'm guessing you too may know what it's like to be jolted into a re-entry, to have expectations and hopes and fears that make you disgruntled. Although you probably aren't as snippy snappy as I get.
You expect to re-enter in a state of refreshed revived excitement and anticipation and instead there's piles of dirty laundry, stuff to get ready for re-entry into whatever, nothing in the fridge and the dishcloth is as stiff as a board. Oh, and there are hundreds of emails to answer and a full schedule ...
Let's re-phrase.
A fresh start: a re-set.
That sounds better already. Because - it's September: a new term, an aroma of autumn, anticipation of new things. It always seems to me to be the best time to have a fresh start and re-set. January is dire - the joy of Christmas has departed, the weather is bad and the thought of new year resolutions is enough to have me scurrying for hibernation.
But September and its promise of sharp pencils and blank exercise books (are either of those still used by the young?!) and new classes, fills me still, even all these years later, with a sense of purpose and excitement and adventure. And determination and anticipation.
You too?
So what might joyfully help to re-set at this re-entry? I need something remarkable and irresistible, something that makes a huge difference in how I am, how I approach life again, how I re-set. And I'm sharing with you what I've discovered because it's an age-old practice that has made such a difference in the lives of so many people over the centuries. Many use it for reflection daily; but I've discovered that a weekly, slightly longer practice helps me to re-set, re-focus, re-enter. It's a way to notice, to reflect, to 'loosen our grip on even our most well-intentioned expectations and to simply attend to what is,' (from Sacred Ordinary Days) especially in these days of push-pull and uncertainty and dangerous exhaustion.
Why not light a favourite candle, sit in your sacred space (info on this is included in The Spice Retreat ** see below for a very special offer) take a deep breath and join me in a weekly Examen? You might like to journal during or afterwards - with words or pictures or mindmaps or doodling.
REFLECT AND RE-SET
Seek the Lord Ask Him to draw near to you as you draw near to Him. Allow your breathe to slow and deepen, and your heart, mind and body to relax and rest. You might concentrate on the candle flame, or fresh flowers, or the Cross. Invite God to be with you and in you, by the power of the Spirit.
Rejoice and Recall Look back at the previous week with gratitude as you notice all the good gifts and blessings God gave you, some of which you may not even have noticed before now. Think about what went well, where you felt alive and when you were at your best and energised. Be thankful for all those good things, moments, blessings, family, friends .....
Review and Receive. When were you near to or far from God's presence this past week? Where might you have failed God or not put the things of the Kingdom first? Where were things not good? Were there some really bad days? Don't judge yourself; just hand this all to God in humility and sorrow and receive His forgiveness and love.
Resolve and Reset for what lies ahead. Invite the Lord into the week to come. Ask for the grace to be near to God's Presence throughout the week. Pray through your diary/schedule - I like to do this with the pages open before me, and specifically invite the Lord into whatever lies ahead this week. If there are things which I know will be difficult, I ask for grace and strength and His presence to go with me. If there are times of joy I ask to be fully present in them and to know His blessing at that time. Finally I ask for a spirit of hope for the coming days (HOPE has been my word for 2021, but it's good for anyone at any time!) and for the fruit of the Spirit to grow in me during the week ahead.
Here it is for you to print out and keep in your journal and/or bible to use regularly (whatever regularly might mean for you - daily, weekly, monthly. There's no right or wrong, just whatever's most helpful)
Based on the Examen, a centuries old way of ending the day in prayer and noticing, this next poster is one of the freebie downloads from The Spice Retreat ** to help with a daily noticing and reviewing.
Have you tried praying a daily Examen? A weekly Examen?
How has it helped and what difference has it made?
** THE SPICE RETREAT **
A SPECIAL INVITATION & OFFER
to help with your re-entry and re-setting
Another way to re-set and re-boot might be to discover the YOU God intends you to be. September is such a good time to be intentional about re-entry, about a new start, about discovering new things.
I'm extending a special invitation to you to be a part of this next cohort for THE SPICE RETREAT.
At 25% discount as this is the last group for 2021.
The Spice Retreat is a 6 part course (5 weeks plus the prep week) with led reflections and prayers as well as input (on videos), journals for you to print and use, and other downloadables, for you to do in the comfort of your own sacred space. Full details are here.
The SPICE RETREAT has:
- 5 weekly sessions, of 50-60 minutes each, recorded and available to be accessed at any time. These include input, guided times for reflection, and other specials such as led meditations, contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, lectio divina, and various ways to hear God speak into your life. Plus a pre-session of preparation, making 6 weeks in total. You will have forever access to these
- Downloadable weekly journals, that you can keep, personalise and use at any time
- A retreat handbook to enhance the SPICE RETREAT
- A guide to retreats and times with the Lord, and suggestions for how to make the best use of your Sacred Times and Spaces.
- Optional One-on-one Spiritual Direction/mentoring sessions. These will be online with me via Facetime/Whatsapp/Zoom. (your preference)
What previous SPICE girls have said after taking the course:
'The spice retreat was an oasis in my week and for that matter day as I worked through some of the things in the journal.'
'This course spoke to a journey I was already pursuing about being the best – the real me, rather than a good all-rounder who was getting worn out doing too much else that took me away from my true desires and calling for this time. I longed to develop the contemplative and what comes out of that and can now do so.'
'Exceeded my expectations. Such a rich resource especially with the SPICE journal handouts each week.'
THE SPICE RETREAT is ready for you with
an irresistibly generous 25% discount.
Enter code SEPTEMBER at checkout for any level of the SPICE RETREATS
and you'll receive a 25% discount.
There's no hidden extra price, so why not take advantage of this and do The Spice Retreat now. You can choose when to do it and it will slip into your inbox every Sunday evening for the next six weeks, starting Sunday September 12th.
Sign up by midnight (BST) Friday 10th September. Here's the signup link
You know I don't do pressure, merely extend an invitation for you to join this last SPICE GROUP of 2021. I'd like to help you make it the best third of 2021!
There's a very special GIVEAWAY from a very special and well-known author on my next newsletter - look out for it on September 19th. (you’ll need to sing up on the popup menu on here to receive it! The monthly free giveaways are only for subscribers so don’t miss out)
And let me know how your re-entry is going and how you've decided to make this third of the year the best yet.
May you know the hand of God leading and guiding you every step of your journey,
