The blog-o-sphere has been filled these past several weeks with a ‘ka-zillion’ year-end reflections, as well as New Year’s Resolutions.

And I have ‘relished’ reading

every.

single.

one.

(I wish I could have high-lighted them all – but these are just a few…be sure & take the time to click on their links – they’re all well worth the read!)

I am so blessed to follow some WONDERFUL bloggers who have gifted me (and countless others) with wonderful reflections of a year now closed; as well as, great insights on the ways we all should consider improving or enhancing a New Year just beginning!

Such as renewed reading goals!

More movies to add to the watch list!

Great eats!

and…

Exercise feats!

(Again, just to name a few!)

I especially adored reading the many ‘Word of the Year’ challenges & was so inspired I fancied picking one for myself!

Simply, brilliant! Don’t you think?

(If you haven’t already guessed,) the ‘Word of the Year’ I’ve chosen shall be:

Brilliant!

And may it be just that – a year filled with exuberant brilliance! 

 

‘Brilliant’ is not a word exclusively in the British lexicon, but I recently discovered it has a very British usage. Specifically, when something is exciting or wonderful, (which I do pray this New Year will be!)

Sometimes brilliant can be shortened to just “brill” to give it a more casual feel, so don’t be surprised when you hear me exclaim,  “My day was simply brill!“

 

After having recieved so very much from the many inspiring posts I’ve read…

what tiny ‘tid-bit’ could I hope to share, in an effort of giving back the same to you?

 

(I could share my puppet story – but perhaps I’ll save that for another time. Giggles.)

So it is, after much consideration and with very little hesitation, I shall be pleased to share a challenge unlike the lots of most!

And I do so verily pray that in sharing it with you, this is THE one  – amidst the other ‘ka-zillion’ wonderful things to include this New Year – that is meant

just.

for.

you!

A New Year Spiritual Game Plan!

Simply brilliant, right??

Not unlike the many other goals and resolutions set this year – a plan most often accompanies the intention to ensure its success!  So too, we should consider doing this very same thing with our Spiritual life!  I’ve used the outline found in (every) Catholic Daily Roman Missal (see below,) as a template to use in developing your own personalized Spiritual Game Plan.

*Photo collage from Unsplash

In 2018, may you embrace the possibility of creating a Spiritual Game Plan to follow throughout the year –

and may you genuinely ‘relish’ the opportunity to do so!!

The Catholic Guide for a

SPIRITUAL GAME PLAN

*Taken from the Daily Roman Missal

Do you want to be a good Christian?  The first of your battles will be to enter into and remain in the state of grace, to avoid any mortal sin.  And, then, because you want to love God above all things, you will also try not to commit venial sins.

The practice of some acts of piety throughout the day will hep you to have a divine contemplative life in the midst of the daily routine.  The habitual performance of these acts will also be the foundation for growing in Christian virtues.  Most important is to be consistent in your daily schedule, in your spiritual game plan, so that you will live as a child of God.

Daily

• Get up at a fixed time, as early as possible.  Eight hours of sleep should be enough.  More than this or less than six hours of sleep is usually not healthy.
• Offer your day to God through the intercession of our Lady.
• Work with order and intensity during the day as a way of serving God.  Set goals and establish priorities in order to develop a practical schedule.  Sanctifying ordinary work is the goal of our life.
• Try to attend Mass, receiving Holy Communion, as often as possible.  This is the best sacrifice we can offer to God.  Prepare yourself for Mass by spending some time in prayer.
• Spend some time in mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (15 minutes, if possible.)
• Pray the Angelus.  Traditionally, the Angelus is prayed at sunrise (6 AM), noon, and sunset (6 PM).  (During Easter Time, say the Regina Caeli instead.)
• Pray the Rosary, if possible, with your family, offering each decade for a specific intention.
• Do some other spiritual reading. Start with the New Testament or some well-known spiritual book.  Ten to fifteen minutes is sufficient.
• Make a short examination of conscience at the end of the day before going to bed.  Two or three minutes is enough.  Follow these steps:  Humble yourself in the presence of God.  Tell him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”  Ask for light to acknowledge your defects and virtues and to see the dangers and opportunities of the day.  Ask for repentance, amendment, and encouragement.

Weekly

• Center all activities around the Holy Mass on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.  It is also a family day – for rest and spiritual growth.
• If you do not receive Holy Communion every day, receive at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
• Saturday is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Honor her and say some special prayer, such as the Hail Holy Queen.

Monthly

• Go to Confession at least once a month.  It is the sacrament of joy.  Pope John Paul II says: “God is always the one who is principally offended by sin – ‘I have sinned against You’ – and God alone can forgive.  He does so through the ministry of the priest in the Sacrament of Penance, which is the ordinary way of obtaining forgiveness and remission of mortal sins.  Every mortal sin must always be stated with its determining circumstances in an individual confession.”
• Seek and follow the spiritual guidance of a wise, prudent, and knowledgeable priest.
• Spend a few hours in recollection, best done before the Blessed Sacrament.  Consider how you are directing your life toward God.

Yearly

• Spend two or three days each year in silence, speaking with God only.  A few days of retreat are necessary for the soul in the same way that the body needs a vacation.  It is a yearly opportunity for conversion.

Always

• Stay in the presence of God:  be aware that he is always close to you.  Try to please him in everything as a child tries to please his/her parents.
• Thank God for the graces that he constantly gives you.
• Do everything for the love of God:  this is unity of intention.  Always purify your intention.  Make acts of contrition and atonement for your sins and sins of others.
• Try to live as you would like to die.  We shall die as we have lived.

 

hugs n’ blessings to you, as you live out your spiritual game plan with exuberant brilliance!

And perhaps you’ll consider strolling through my site again – to hear about the other wonderful goals I’ve mapped out for the New Year!

It would be simply brilliant if you did!