Episode 89: Reflect and the Warrior Mindset

SUMMARY
Join Milo and Olivia as they close out their series on the Warrior Mindset by diving deep into the often-overlooked practice of reflection.

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INTRODUCTION
Taking the time to reflect on the good and hard work that has been done is often neglected. In this episode, Milo and Olivia explore reasons why we avoid reflection, some healthy questions to consider when reflecting, and a practical exercise that will contribute to your spiritual growth.

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THE VALUE OF REFLECTION

Reflection reinforces the lessons learned, identify what was done well, and acknowledge what could be done better. The objective is to derive information to create a continuous cycle of improvement.

Reflection is taking the time to look at how your execution aligns with your commitment.

• Reflect to affirm the good work that has been accomplished to support your commitment to Christ

• Reflect to identify how preparation supported you in living your commitment to Christ was deepens.

• Reflect to identify how preparation failed to support how you lived and under served your commitment to Christ.

REFLECTION IN THE SCRIPTURE

• Examine YOURSELF: Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves - 2 Corinthians 13:5.

• Be examined AS A COMMUNITY: “Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD" - Lamentations 3:40

• Be Examined BY GOD: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24

WARNING FOR THE LACK OF REFLECTION
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like -  James 1:23-25

WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM REFLECTION?

• Time constraints that create the pressure to avoid reflection

• Lack of reflective skills due to action-oriented ways of living

• Misconceptions about reflection as either passive or unproductive

• Confirmation bias that seeks to confirm life choices instead of challenging them

• Patterns of belief and thinking that prioritize personal happiness rather spiritual formation

• Fear of uncomfortable discoveries that may exposes weaknesses

FOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN REFLECTING ON WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

In order for my commitment to be better aligned with how I live…

• What spiritual practices should I stop that hinder my alignment with God’s purposes?

• What spiritual disciplines should I start to better prepare for faithful living?

• What attitudes or behaviors should I reduce that compete with my commitment to Christ?

• What practices should I increase to strengthen my spiritual foundation?

PRAYER OF EXAMINE
A five-step daily examen based on the practices provided by St. Ignatius.

1. Be aware of God’s presence in the moment
   For example, the Surrender Prayer by St. Ignatius is a great prayer to enter into a mindfulness of God’s presence:
   
   Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
   my memory, my understanding,
   and my entire will,
   All I have and call my own.
   You have given all to me.
   To you, Lord, I return it.
   Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
   Give me only your love and your grace,
   that is enough for me.
   Amen.
   

2. Review the day with gratitude

• What good things took place today?

• What bad things could have happened, but didn’t?

• Who was an instrument of God’s peace, love, and/or grace to me today?
  

3. Pay attention to your emotions.

• What ANGER do you carry?

• What SADNESS do you carry?

• What FEAR do you carry?

• What JOY do you carry?
  

4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
   Talk with God about what stood out from your day. What is God be telling you through your experiences and feelings? Ask forgiveness for the times you weren’t at your best. Offer up more gratitude for the blessings that stood out. Whatever comes to mind, talk with God about it.
   

5. Look toward tomorrow.
   Visualize yourself walking through the day with God and ask for His help. Be mindful of the things that will delight you, frustrate you, or cause you to be hesitant. Who can you be a blessing to? Who can you be an instrument of God’s peace, love, and/or grace to tomorrow?

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