This reflection came easy as we prepare to end 2017 and bring in the New Year. It was stimulated by the bowl of fruit and vegetables on our kitchen counter, a spark of divine will waiting to be noticed. The dried, shriveled, ginger finger needs to be thrown out. Meanwhile I notice the green sprout from the red onion in the well of the bowl. There are some habits and activities we should leave behind and some we should embrace with intentionality to insure a holier and happier year ahead.

       The new year will probably bring another phase of downsizing. Being involved in the process for 3 years, we have gotten rid of much that we don't need. Now I'm looking at my precious antiques like my mother's doll collection. We also talked about downsizing our foreign travel and this year doing something local, such as eating at "The Best of 2017" restaurants in San Antonio as listed in "mySA," Express-News. (12/27/17) "These top 25 dishes proclaim San Antonio's culinary range" - sort of like visiting various foreign countries.

       Another spiritual practice I plan to bring forth from last year is the daily "examen of consciousness." Mark Thibodeaux's Reimagining the Ignatian Examen, a dear little book of daily self-checks - and God-checks - is a treasure and value many times its size. It is a variation from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, a spiritual practice benefiting seekers and pilgrims for over 500 years. One of the goals of the Spiritual Exercises is "ridding the soul of disordered attachments" (to leave behind) so that we are better able to increase awareness of God's presence (to bring forth) - even noticing green onion sprouts prompting the soul to engage in the process.