The following exercise will be more effective if the one doing it were to write down the answers, think and pray over it, and, if the community or a small group of friends is ready to share from the heart, to share with them whatever one feels comfortable sharing. In case there is a group meeting, it is important that no one be pressurized to share more than the person is comfortable sharing. No one has the right to force anyone to tell others what s/he does not want to share. Forcing or pressurizing puts off people and is a violation of personal dignity. People share best when they trust the person they are talking with. Confidence cannot be forced or demanded.
1. Am I living a joyful and passionate life full of enthusiasm / a reasonably satisfied life, but with no great zest / a rather bored and monotonous life / a somewhat unhappy life / a very unhappy life? (Please tick one)
2. Do I look forward to each new day, week, month and year, or is my mind more filled with negative images?
3. What are the main lessons I learnt (about myself, about others, about life, about God) in 2016?
4. What are the three most important things I want to achieve in 2017?
5. Who are the people I admire most, and want to learn from?
6. What are the main things I want to learn from them?
7. Which mistakes should I take special care to avoid?
8. What do I see as my personal mission in life? Can I summarize it in one sentence?
9. What am I doing to fulfil it?
10. I am blessed to be alive, and have health of body and mind and many other gifts. What is the best or most creative thing I can do this year that will make a real difference to me and to those around me?
– Fr. Joe Mannath SDB is the National Secretary of CRI and the editor of this magazine
To subscribe to the magazine Contact Us
