W here am I going ? Making decisions through discernment “Radical Gospel Living: Monasticism Today!” Ohio Wesleyan University November 5, 2011 Cathy Arnold, OP Dominican Sister of Peace

What is the best decision you have ever made? How did you know? What is the worst decision you have ever made? Any insights as to what happened in the discernment of this decision?

Youtube of Vocation Vocation 101: What Do You Mean by Vocation? Inspired by Volunteers Exploring Vocation, an initiative of The Fund for Theological Education. Animation by Josh Contusion Creative. Music by Haddon Givens Kime. Executive Produced by FTE. Produced by Kimberly Daniel. Directed by Melissa Wiginton.

Assumptions – a. I can make choices about my life. b. My life is not my own - I am in relationship with God, with myself, with those I love, with all of creation. Decisions that I make affect the world around me. I want those decisions to bless and not harm. c. Frederick Buechner’s quote “The vocation for you is the one in which your deep gladness and the world's deep need meet -- something that not only makes you happy but that the world needs to have done.”

Acknowledgements: Debra K Farrington Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life.

Acknowledgements: Debra K Farrington Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life. Gregg Levoy – Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life

Acknowledgements: Debra K Farrington – Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life. Gregg Levoy – Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life Jan Bohn SNDdeN – Discernment: A Process Janice Bachman, OP – Decision making in the spirit and manner of St Ignatius of Loyola; taken from the web Five Steps Of The Decision-Making Process Kathi Sleziak, OP – Discernment Workshop

Discernment the act of taking a listening stance with your life in the context of your relationships – with yourself – with God (or whatever word you use to express the Infinite in your life) – with others and then responding to what you hear.

The glory of God is human fully alive and the life of human is the vision of God. Adapted from Irenaeus 2 nd Century Christian

Choose one: write down one decision you are discerning at the present time. write down three things which you would do today if you found out that you will die tomorrow. write a three sentence obituary about yourself. create a bucket list of 5 items which you hope to complete within the next ten years of your life.

Know yourself: Lists, such as these, help us to come to know ourselves better. Helpful to keep a journal.

Your relationship with God: Rejoice always, Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

God Is You want to know Me? You want to see My face? I do not age with time; I do not fit into a space I transcend the capacity of your eye, so who am I? It is the question of the moment; It is the question for all time I am you, and you are mine I am the beginning and the end I am the faith in your believing I am the color of truth I am the dreamer of your dreams I am the falling in your love I am the words of a prayer I am the silence in the music I am the music in the silence

I am your father; I am your mother I am the man who cannot cry I am the story in your eyes I am the orphan of war I am the leper begging on the corner I am the black slave in chains I am the Muslim bride who cannot show her face I'm the cross you carry again I'm all you have forgotten I am all that you have not been I am in you - all of this in within you Let the journey begin, Amen I am in you, Amen

I am the beginning and the end I am the faith in your believing I am the color of truth I am the dreamer of your dreams I am the falling in your love I am the words of a prayer I am the silence in the music I am the music in the silence Danielle Rose CD “Defining Beauty”

Spend time in prayer and reflection

What are some tools for discernment? Engage the left brain awareness: know yourself your relationship with God seek information and insight prayerfully weigh the evidence; attend to your feelings imagine yourself in each choice

Seek information and insight by using the resources you have available to you

Take all this to prayer and attend to the feelings and the thoughts that arise. Write or draw your feelings and/or thoughts. Listen in prayer to see if clarity comes and ask God to give you clarity in your discernment.

Imagine yourself in each choice. What thoughts and feelings arise now? Do you feel relief? Do you feel devastated?

Acknowledgement: Gregg Levoy – Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life

Engage the right brain awareness: use dance, art, writing, music to help you get in touch with your deepest desires use dance, art, writing, music to help you hold the tension that may exist between your head and your heart in relation to making the decision listen to dreams and ask God for wisdom and clarity in the discernment

Share your insights: talk with a spiritual director or companion about all that is happening within you talk with a close friend who has your best interest at heart

Make a decision and ask God for confirmation.

Spirituality of St Ignatius Five Steps of the Decision-Making Process 1. ‘Walking Around’ the question 2. Check the Assumptions and/or Determine the Criteria 3. Focusing 4. Pray and Wait for the Choice to Emerge Or to be Given 5. Seek and Pray for Confirmation

Discernment worksheet This (decision you are trying to make): _________________________________ Doing this now: Advantages Disadvantages Not doing this now: Advantages Disadvantages

“... vocation is bigger than what you do, that is, your work, your job, or even your career. It's about who you are. Each of us has a unique vocation to become the person we are meant to be". James Martin, SJ

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