I just returned from 10 days touring Israel. My mind is a swirl of sensory overload. Images of places that I thought would look one way were completely different. Pictures can capture places I went, but not impressions that imprinted on my mind and heart. I found a certain frustration though, that I was not able to take in all that my eyes were seeing and my ears were hearing. It was as if someone was speaking too fast for me to comprehend. I couldn’t catch up.
Now I am back home and life did not stop while I was away. I am back in a flurry of things-to-do, goals to attain, people to contact, and incessant noise and speed. I know that if I do not force a stop, many of the important images and impressions of these last two weeks will fade and eventually be forgotten. I do not want that to happen.
Parker Palmer said, “People take copious notes on what retreat leaders say, or what certain wise people in a group say, but rarely, if ever, do they take notes on what they themselves say.” In our rushing, accomplishing, non-stop existence, reflection is a luxury few people indulge. Reflection is a uniquely human response. As far as I know, animals do not reflect on their experiences.
Reflection brings order to unclear thought. Reflection clarifies meaning. Reflection solidifies memories. But reflection will not be rushed. For too many people, days blend into months, months to years, until decades have passed without reflecting on the meaning of it all. I do not want that to happen.
Live reflectively! Take the risk of entering into reflective silence or journaling. Dig deep to hear the whisper of why we are on this earth and what the days speak. Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” My experience is that we easily forget that which we do not examine. I do not want that to happen.
Here are a few suggestions for building a reflective life.
- Schedule time for reflection. Otherwise, the urgent crowds out the important.
- Do your best to be unrushed in your time of reflection.
- Reflect daily on the day before. What happened? How did it feel?
- Reflect in writing. Don’t worry about making it beautiful or profound, just make it real.
- Reflect on your thoughts and emotions.
- In your reflection, be open to pain and be open to joy.
- Include gratitude in your reflections.
- Reflect with someone who will really listen.
- Reflect on your significant experiences, like conferences, vacations, trips, weddings, funerals. What happened? What did it mean? How did it change you?
- Reflect forward about your dreams and fears.
Make regular reflection a habit.
What do you need to reflect on right now?
My father, who was a prominent Landscape Architect, once said as we were driving through Richmond, “you will never make a lot of money in our profession, but isn’t it great to be able to actually see our accomplishments as we drive through town”.
Wise man!
Please tell Ralph Higgins that he designed our parking/driveway area when we built o ur house in 1991. I am forever grateful – beautiful and functional and has stood the test of time. What an important life’s work.
My regret that I did not journal when life was so full and fleeting. My grandmother journaled when her children (my father) were young. I have had the pleasure knowing something about him and how he lived when he was a child. For all young couples “Save those memories and feelings. They can disappear”
What a treasure that you have those, duly noted as we’re parents of 2 young ones now!
Imagination
If your inner imaginarium is rich, intelligent, and not overly defended, you will never stop growing spiritually. My advice? Read more poetry and literature; watch movies; listen to music; visit museums. The artist is a prophet, someone who helps us be self-critical and creative so we don’t stay stuck in the status quo. The prophet models and embodies a new way of thinking and being that allows us to imagine a larger, more inclusive way to live. Richard rohr.
Because I was the little sister, I follow
I try to follow people smarter than I am. Richard is a wise man