Time to Reflect

In the distracted pace we live, we often have little time to reflect. Rich introspection demands time to be still, contemplate and thoughtfully look at one’s life. Who has time for this?

Between a long list of to-do’s, following up with emails and the demands of family, when do we find time to pause? And to be honest, do we really want to reflect? It’s sometimes easier to hide from our own thoughts rather than truly take a peek into our true self.

Alan Noble in his book “Disruptive Witness” writes: “Our frenetic and flattened culture is not conducive to wrestling with thick ideas, ideas with depth, complexity, and personal implications. It is a culture of immediacy, simple emotions, snap judgments, optics, and identity formation.” Is it any wonder that reflection has been quietly shoved to the side?

When’s the last time you reflected on questions that bring out the real you?

• Has God given you any new beginnings this year? How are you doing living in the new beginning?
• For what moment today are you most grateful? For what moment today are you least grateful?
• When did you give and receive the most love today? When did you withhold love?
• How are you dealing with the problems/challenges in your life? 
• What was the most life-giving part of your day?
• What is it like for you to set aside time to play?
• What character trait of yours needs to change the most?
• How aware are you of the possibility of meeting God during your workday?
• When was the last time you had a deep sense of connection with God? (Questions from Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, page 53-61)

I suppose we all struggle in this area. We have good intentions to pause and reflect, but life takes over. Why not try to have some personal time this week to just pause and reflect? Invite God to reflect with you and note where changes need to be made. It will truly be a gift for you.

“My soul finds rest in God alone.” Psalm 62:1

“People in a hurry never have time for recovery. Their minds have little time to mediate and pray so that problems can be put in perspective. In short, people in our age are showing signs of physiological disintegration because we are living at a pace that is too fast for our bodies.” Archibald Hart

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio