Reviewing the Day

Much of an ordinary day passes without our giving it much thought.

We move from one responsibility to another, responding to people, circumstances, and the unexpected. By evening, some moments have already faded from memory.

Taking a little time to look back can help us notice what was present in the midst of it all.

This is not an exercise in judging how well we lived the day. It is simply an opportunity to remember, listen, and become more attentive to our experience.

This simple practice has much in common with the Ignatian Examen, a prayerful way of reviewing the day and becoming more attentive to God's presence. The Examen offers a fuller approach to prayer, while the invitation here is simply to begin noticing.

A small practice

Find a quiet place and allow yourself a few moments of silence.

Think back over the day, beginning wherever your memory takes you.

What moments come to mind?

Perhaps a conversation, something beautiful, an unexpected difficulty, or a small kindness.

Allow these moments to return without trying to arrange or explain them.

Is there one that seems to invite a little more attention?

Remain with it for a while.

Notice what you remember, how you felt, or what you may not have recognized at the time.

There is no need to decide whether the moment was good or bad, important or unimportant.

When you are ready, allow the day to rest.

You do not need to carry everything forward.

Sometimes looking back helps us recognize what we could not see while life was unfolding.