Maureen McCann Wauldron, a fellow dotMagis blogger, wrote a beautiful reflection titled, “Go Gracefully”.  In her piece she says,

I have a dear friend who has been a Servite sister for many decades.  Last week she mentioned in passing that in her community they have a tradition that she called “Go gracefully.”  It means that before someone goes on a trip she gets everything done ahead of time.  Laundry is done, suitcase packed, driving directions printed off or boarding pass ready.   “Go Gracefully” means that the night before the trip or the morning of the excursion, there is a peaceful readiness about everything and no last-minute panic. I have thought of that a number of times in the days since I have seen her and pondered what a gentle and sensible tradition that is.  When we are running around excitedly trying to get our last-minute things done, our urgency is imposed on everyone around us.  My panic becomes the prominent emotion in the house.  My problem becomes everyone else’s problem

 Peaceful readiness!  I love those words.  It is something I know I strive for, a readiness that is not rushed or full of panic.  Rather, a readiness that is thought through enough so that I can begin without feeling of craziness.
 Right now, I seek the ability to “go gracefully” before our move to a new city.  While the planning for the relocation will be upon me soon, so many details are lacking that planning cannot even begin.  What I can do, though, is have peaceful readiness about what is in front of me in the next few weeks so that there is not an urgency, but rather a slow, calm, healing rhythm of life.

 And when it is time to begin planning for our move, I pray that there will be peaceful readiness so that I can be deeply attuned to the needs of my children and not to the panic of getting things done.  

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.