Creating a Rule of Life Part 2 of 2
In Part 1 of this look at Rule of Life, we determined that an inventory or assessment of various aspects of life was the starting point in considering how we want to live. We considered our current relationship to these aspects including God, self, family, friends, ministry, work, finances, church, etc. And we considered how we experienced satisfaction and balance in these areas of daily life, and how we would like to experience these facets in the futures.
Once we’ve worked through these aspects (and this may take several days of meditation), go back and summarize each aspect into a one or two-line value statement and gather each statement onto one page to see it all together. What patterns or images emerge? If possible, condense or simplify that statement even further into a couple of words or a phrase. These simple statements gain power the more condensed they become.
After several weeks of working with my rule of life through pages and pages of my journal, I had condensed it all to five simple value statements:
Dwell deeply
Journey together
Embrace story
Create hospitality
Honor silence and words
This “rule” becomes more of a beacon light for my journey rather than a mission statement or a goal to be achieved. I write these words in the front of every journal and use it as a template to further reflect and meditate on how I’ve lived out my day, or as I’m making decisions or going through transitions.
The spiritual practices I use to live into this rule of life change depending on the season I’m in. I keep these specific practices flexible and enjoy a creative combination of prayer, journaling, silence, retreats, spiritual direction, corporate worship, scripture reading, and more. The liturgy of days moves me from a “prayer life” into the unceasing life of prayer, and from there it feeds into my conversations with a spiritual director and, more importantly, it becomes a gentle give and take of intimate dialogue with the Divine.
What are your thoughts about creating a rule of life, or as I like to call it, a “liturgy of days?” Are there specific aspects of your life where you struggle to define what you really believe, value, and how you express it? Have you considered talking through this process with a spiritual director? If you don’t have one, I have a few openings to meet with new directors or to explore the possibilities with you.
