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Consoling the heart of Jesus

Good Friday meditation drawing  When Saint Therese was a little girl she had a prayer card with a painting of Jesus imprisoned in his cell looking at a single flower. This single flower was the source of his consolation. Saint Therese from those moments wished to be that flower providing comfort to our Lord throughout her life.

Starting the Year Right




Today is a new day nestled within a new year.  Today is open to infinite possibilities.  What you do today may or may not affect your whole year.  It's totally up to you.


There are people who aren't fond of surprises and who live to make lists and lists of things they wish to accomplish.  There are those who just say "come what may" and just go with the flow.  Most of us are somewhere in between.





Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could assure yourself that by the end of this year, you'll become a new, improved version of you?  In a way, you can!
How?  By doing something right - today.
Starting the year right begins with the end in mind.






Ready?  Ok close your eyes.



STEP ONE:


Since God is the author of our lives, we begin and end with Him.  Let's say this prayer:


"Dear Lord, thank You for another year!  Thank You for all the blessings of the past year.  Thank You for Your loving care and protection.  I offer this year to You.  May I be at the center of Your will.  Grant me all the grace and courage I need to fulfil the mission You've created me for."


(Feel free to add to this prayer or just speak to God from the heart.)





STEP TWO:


Let's zoom far into the future to December 31st, 2017.


You're at your family Christmas eve dinner party and you happen to hear some people talking in the hallway.  You can't help but hear what the topic is all about.  It's YOU.   They are saying what you have meant to them this past year...  would they be saying good things or not so good things?



STEP THREE:


Write down the things you would want them to be saying about you.  For example, "I don't know how I could've gone through this year without [ INSERT YOUR NAME HERE].  He/she was really there for me."

1. 
2.
3.


Write down as many "imagin-adjectives" you could.  You don't need to limit this exercise to family members. You can also "overhear" co-workers (for career goals) or friends.


Once you've done that, you're ready for STEP FOUR.




STEP FOUR:


Go over your list of adjectives and think of what actions you can do, to be a person with those traits.

Example:

1.  He/she was there for me.

Resolution - Action:
Spend time with my sister 1x a week.


The Resolution - Action must be quantifiable.  Do not put "often" or "sometimes" but rather, a specific time frame.




STEP FIVE:


Plot your calendar.  Pencil in time with your sister every week on your planner.


Be realistic.  Don't go overboard and spread yourself thin.  You can adjust your planner as you go along to make your goals and plans more doable.



Now you have concrete plans for the year ahead.  You won't just accidentally be better at being the person you want to be - you WILL BE that person!



Wishing you all the best this 2017!  God bless you!




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