Time for Discernment
St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus in his book the Spiritual Exercises has rules of discernment, rules that deal with ways to interpret the states of consolation (joy, peace, gratitude, and the like) and desolation (depression, anxiety, fear) that people typically experience in the course of cultivating a spiritual life. One of his rules of discernment that I thought of today was not to make a major decision when confused or depressed. I felt that way today so just went about my business as usual, gardening, writing, eating and making a St. Vincent De Paul home visit.
The person I visited had nothing in his upstairs flat. Fortunately his sister lived downstairs and his brother owned the house, so he had family support while he got his house together. The person, who had a disability, was very gracious and seemed happy, although he had nothing in his house. So I guess this man who had nothing in terms of household possessions might have been in a better possession to make a major decision today than I, with lots of possessions, was.
Fortunately I did not have to make a major decision today so all went well and tomorrow will be a new day. However, I did manage to write a little about how I felt and related it to Ignatius’s guidance of not making a major decision till the air clears.
When the Air Clears!
When all seems to go wrong,
Though you do the right thing
As you see it and think,
It is time to just keep going,
Do the best you can
And when the air clears
Reflect and make changes as need be.
Do not make major changes or decisions
When confused and distraught.
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