3 Daily Habits and Simple Ways to welcome Wisdom, and follow learning like the Saints
SmartCatholics is not just another social network. We're a community, and we're building a culture. That means we're building habits and friendships together. We are about 'smarts,' sure. But our hearts must be rooted in the love of wisdom.
Here are three things every Smart Catholic should do every day: learn, reflect, share
1) Learn something new every day.
This is probably the easiest thing on this list. Chances are that you're already doing it all the time anyway! We love learning, gathering, and being informed.
2) Reflect in silence
schedule five minutes of personal time every day. Create a space of silence between activities, where you do nothing. Literally nothing. Just be. Take a walk, sit in sunlight, drink coffee... Focus your attention on something simple, like your breathing, or a candle flame, or wafting steam. Don't think thoughts. Practice presence to yourself, and to God alive in the moment.
3) Share what you've learned.
During your learning, something leapt within you. A thought, a confirmation, a new understanding. Take a moment to affirm that, and perhaps share it with others. This can help you remember what you've learned. Find the one thing that really stood out to you. Write that down.
Daily Practices for Wisdom
Every day, follow these practices of taking in (always be open), allowing it to marinate (never react in the moment), and share your highlight (celebrate the fruit).
Together, our goal is to celebrate calm, attentive, and careful growth in learning.
My approach to faith and learning:
In looking at my own life, and the kind of quiet, brilliant, and beautiful people who log in regularly to share what they think, five key life habits stand out. I try to follow them regularly. They're not every day, but they have become a way I look at life.
Read, write, and pray
Incorporate reading, writing, and prayer into your daily routine to cultivate both your spiritual and creative sides. Some light writing of any kind gets us used to saying what we think. Avoid creating any regimen that creates pressure and scrupulous feelings.
Study faith through inspiration
Accept that the Holy Spirit is alive in you and regularly moving you to have interests. Dip into the Catechism and follow the call of your interest to prompt reading of Sacred Scripture, Bible studies, and forays into history, science, theology, and more.
Cultivate the sacraments you have, and share your work
Receive the sacraments as often as you can, but be more intent on nurturing the sacraments you always have - Baptism, Confirmation, perhaps Marriage. They are always 'on tap' and active in deepening your growth in God. Reflect on your learning and share your working ideas with a select few for feedback and inspiration.
Learn to sit in silence
A hunger for learning can change from a celebration of truth to a ravening for ideas. Create a space where you can do nothing, gently guiding yourself to learn contemplation. Some prayer is active, and some prayer is simply about presence.
Serve others through your learning
Use your learning as a tool for serving others. Your deepening faith life is probably opening doors and new interests. Allow your learning to change you, and create a greater space within you to welcome others and their questions. The Holy Spirit blows where it wills, and it is our constant call to discern him smiling at us through events, people, and ideas.
The key is to always lead ourselves with gentleness and love, never shame or force. Shame shuts us down, and creates fear. Love opens us like a bloom, hopeful and open. Our state directly affects how we learn, and what we retain.
I hope these are helpful!
What would you add to this list?