It’s That Time of Year Already?

It’s that time of year again. In the coming days, we’ll be getting ready for another school year. We’ll be buying school supplies. We’ll be putting together that perfect fresh outfit for the first day of class.

You’ve probably got some unique challenges ahead of you this year. Maybe you’re a soon to be freshman in a new school. Maybe you’re a soon to be senior with some big decisions to make this year.

Perhaps you’re looking forward to another year of learning new things and making new friends. Or perhaps you dread the thought another year in what feels like prison. Either way, we’ve got a few tips to help you make the best of these coming days.

1. Review.

Let’s take a look back at this past school year.

First, take a moment to remind yourselves that you are always in the presence of God. Invite Him into this review with you.

Take a deep breath, and ask yourself these questions…

• What is my overall attitude toward the past year? At first glance, did it feel like a good year or am I glad to get it over with?

• Did I have any “big wins” this past year? If something had a positive impact on me, let me remember those good moments and feelings, and visit those memories often.

• Did I experience any challenges or failures? Am I able to move past difficult events and grow from them? Am I able to forgive myself for the mistakes I’ve made and move on from them?

• Did I notice God’s presence in any of this? Did I thank God in the moments I felt joy? Did I ask for His help in the times I was struggling? Do I think about God and keep close to Him in prayer?

After going through that review, if you find that there’s something from the past causing you a bit of worry or anxious feelings, take a cue from Mother Teresa: “Do not let the past disturb you; just leave everything in the Sacred Heart, and begin again with joy.”

2. Intention.

After doing a bit of a personal review, you should have a greater awareness of yourself. With that awareness, you should be able to notice some things about yourself that perhaps you didn’t know before. Now that we know a little bit more about ourselves, we can use that knowledge to orient ourselves for the coming year.

Let’s set an intention.

This year, I will ________________ .

This year, I will be more outgoing. This year, I will be more dedicated to my studies. This year, I will be a better brother or sister. In your prayer, ask God to reveal what He wants from you this year.

Take a moment to remember that when God created Heaven and Earth, He had you in mind. It is no accident that you are here, and you are growing into the person that He wants you to be.

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with an intention for this year, that’s alright. Here are a couple that you can be certain of:

This year I will grow in the Lord. This year will be better than the last.

3. Openness.

Now comes the hard part: Being open to the God of surprises.

There’s an old joke that says if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. It’s a good thing to set goals and to do your best to reach them! We just need to remember that sometimes, God has plans that we might not know about.

It’s ok to feel a little confused about what the future holds. Day by day, we can learn to align our plans with God’s plans. While we put our best efforts into our studies this coming year, we can be at peace knowing that the Holy Spirit will us every grace we need to make this year better than the last.

Lord, please grant me perspective in my life.

I have no idea where I am supposed to be going or if the path I have chosen is the one You want me to choose.

I am often distracted and troubled by my desire to have certainty about my future.

But You Yourself said that above all else, I need only to love You with all my heart, my soul, and my strength, and to love others as I love You.

And so, Lord, I ask for love: Love to see that which is most important, Love to do that which I see, and Love to be bold in carrying out Your will.

Amen.

Sean was born and raised in Brooklyn. After high school, he served in the Army as a Paratrooper for six years and is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He then attended Fordham University, where he studied philosophy and theology.

Sean has a strong dedication to serving overseas missions and bringing the presence of Christ to those who do not know Him. He has spent much of his adult life evangelizing in Cambodia (and even adopted a dog there!) and Central America. He speaks often at retreats and other events, wishing to inspire our young people to respond to the call of holiness and sainthood. In his free time, he enjoys fishkeeping, road trips, and watching the Yankees.