Let’s do this!

What we must do to free ourselves so that we may return our gaze to the good Lord is to do violence against this octopus by severing ourselves from this tentacle. This will not come from one swift blow because bad habits take time to replace. Our efforts will have to be patient and consistent sawing. How do we do this? Here are some questions and practical tips that can help us get started. (I suggest writing these questions and answers on a notebook) 

  • First, identify the attachment. We can begin by praying and asking God “what bad habits, behavior, or actions have a struggled with this past year that that?” Or if this is an attachment to certain beliefs and emotions ask yourself "what emotion/s have a struggled with the most this past year?" "What is the belief behind this emotion?" 

  • Second question we can ask is, “how has this habit/behavior effected my relationship with God? Has it brought me more peace, fulfillment, joy? Has it glorified God directly or indirectly  

  • Third, why is changing this bad habit important for me? How will changing this bad habit improve my life and relationship with God? 

  • Fourth, what is the new habit that I am replacing the old habit with? Why am I choosing this as my new habit? How does it connect to my values? How will it bring me closer to God? How will this new habit allow me to become salt and light to the world? How will this bring more joy and fulfillment in my life? 

  • Fifth, find someone to hold you accountable. Share your goals with a trusted friend and come up with an agreement of what you will do to stay on track. For example, you can tell your friend that your goal is to use YouTube for only 30 mins week and that you will keep track of this goal by using a journal that shows your progress. Then, you are to report each week to your friend for a progress update. Ultimately, you want someone to help you reach your goals. Think of the relationships of St. Agustine and St. Ambrose or St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. Their friendships are arguably a reason why they became saints. 

  • Sixth, use something to help you stay on track. This could be a simple spiral notebook or something more intricate like the “Saintmaker” journal or a habit tracker journal. Essentially, this is to help you, and your accountability partner see your progress and for you to have an added level of responsibility that helps you stay on track. 

  • Seventh, make adjustments as needed.  

Remember, there will be mistakes and setbacks, but do not let them discourage you. Keep moving forward even at a slow, steady pace. Some movement will always have a greater effect than no movement.  

I leave you with a prayer by St Augustine that I think is a reflection of this exercise, but also a prayer that reaches to the depths of our hearts and illuminates our yearning for true and lasting love that is only grasped by dying to all our lower desires and embracing the blessings and the crosses that God has for us. 

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You,
And desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You,
And ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear You,
And let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing save only to You,
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me that I may see You,
And for ever enjoy You.

Amen.

—St. Augustine of Hippo

(pray for us)