I was re-reading a book last night called Walking on Water by one of my favorite authors Anthony De Mello.  A passage really struck me last night:

Being yourself:  Are we living our lives as our true selves or are we living our lives trying constantly to meet unreal expecations we place on ourselves or others place on us?   Are we living our lives as the person God intended us to be- our true, authentic self?

Being now:  Are we living our lives in the present?  Are we enjoying and living what is right in front of us or are we constantly looking to the past or to the future?  We might miss what is right in front of us!

Being here:  Are we present to the experience right in front of us?  Are we present to the person right in front of us?  Are we living our lives on the go so much that we are missing what is right in front of us?

Since reading this passage last night, the words have been turning over and over in my head.  Am I living awake and honoring the moment in front of me or am I too consumed with what was (the past) or what will be (the future)?  My prayer is to be alive and live awake so that I can be aware of what is right in front of me! 

 
Are we living asleep or are we living awake?

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.