How to do
a Personal Retreat
In life, quite
ironically, it really does help for us to take a
retreat in order to move forward. More than
the relief you get from stress and fatigue, a
personal retreat clarifies your life purpose and
encourages more productivity.
 Believe
it or not, more and more medical schools are
including prayer in their classes due to over a
hundred studies done on the power of prayer to heal.
If you can devote just a few moments of time, you
can empower yourself to be a better person with a
better life!
First step: Block out a day in your calendar
to do the personal retreat. If your time is
limited, a few hours will do. It's important
for you to follow through on this and not let other
appointments cloud out this time. Choose a
place that is quiet and free of distractions.
2nd: Prepare all the resources you need
beforehand. Bible, pen, journal or diary,
devotional guides and planners are all handy tools
you can use.
3rd: On the day itself, start with an opening
prayer. Acknowledge your total reliance on God
and ask for His guidance during this time.
Spend some time in thanksgiving. Read Psalm
100 or any other verse that focuses the honor to God
and not to yourself. Also whisper in your
heart "Speak Lord, your servant is listening." (1
Samuel 3:10)
4th: List down all the blessings, big and
small of the past year. Your diary and planner
will help you remember.
5th: Reflect on the not-so-good things that
happened and write down anything that you learned
from these situations. Be at peace, accept and
move on. Again, be thankful.
6th: Close your eyes and visualize yourself
in the year 2010. What dreams and aspirations
do you have? Dream big and don't put any
limits to what God can do. Believe that you
will receive God's best for your life if only they
are in His master plan for you and if you walk in
His ways. Put your life into God's hands and
formulate a mission statement for 2010. You
may also have something like a battle cry, a phrase
that will encourage you to keep going in the right
direction.
7th: End with a closing prayer. Offer
up your year to the Lord and ask Him to remain in
the center of your heart. Pray for your loved
ones and believe God will also work in their lives.
*Optional ways: Make a poem, song, drawing
expressing all that you want for 2010 and you may
share this with others if you wish. The
important thing is that you will be able to remember
all that you and the Lord have "talked" about during
this time.
...........................................................
Volunteerism: ATD Fourth World Philippines
Walking along a busy street in
Manila, it's not unusual to meet a child begging you for
something to eat. If you agree that no child should be
left to care for himself, let's do something for them together!
Things were not so different way back in 1957 in a shanty town
in Paris, France. That is why a man who was born poor, Fr.
Joseph Wresinski (1917-1988) saw it fit to try and make a
change.
Today, ATD is now working to eradicate extreme poverty in 30
countries and has been in the Philippines since 1989. Want
to give them a hand?
Volunteers help by participating in the street libraries,
workshops and events. Story telling, drawing, painting,
drama sessions, crafts are but some of the things you will be
doing!
To know more about ATD, contact them at
ATD
Fourth World Philippines 1225 Labores Street Pandacan, Manila
1001, Telefax: 563 9312 or
see their website
click here
"Wherever men and women are condemned to live in
poverty, human rights are violated. To come together
to ensure that these rights be respected is our
solemn duty."
- Joseph Wresinski
|
Events to
Join!
- Jan to
April 24
- RECOLLECT:
Revisiting the Met Museum and other exhibits
info
- up to Jan. 30
- 40th Anniv. of Bakás: Limampung
Taon ng Malikhaing Paglilimbag (50 yrs of Printmaking) at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main
Gallery), 3/F Main Theater Building
info
- Jan. 22,29 (Fridays)
- Lingkod ng Panginoon Prayer Meeting, join young
professionals in Christifying the workplace at 9/F Banco Filipino
Bldg, Paseo de Roxas, Mkti. City contact
to confirm the schedule
- Jan. 15 (3rd Friday) -
Alabang Town Center (parking lot in front of St. Jerome's Parish),
Alabang-Zapote Road
- Jan.
22 (Friday) -
Ayala Recyclables Fair, Trinoma, QC, 8 AM -3 PM, for more info call
7521084
- Jan.
24 (Sunday) -
Fun Run for a Cause, Upper McKinley Road, Fort Bonifacio at 5 AM
contact Ajan Sison tel. 816-3946
- Jan.
28-30 -
Metro Job Fair, SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, Mandaluyong,
contact
- Jan.
23-24-
Spirituality in the Workplace by Fr. Celerino Reyes,
Ateneo Campus
info
- Jan.
22-31-
Negosyong Pinoy, SM Megamall Megatrade Hall, Mandaluyong,
contact
- Jan.
31 (Sunday)
- Manila Boat Club Rowing Open Day
info
- Feb. 6-7 -
Couples' Retreat, Sacred Heart, Novaliches
info
- Feb. 11-14 -
International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Clarkfield, Pampanga
info
 Planning
your vacations this year?
Try
something new with Hands on Vacations. You'll really
get a feel for the place while making a significant
contribution to the area.
You'll be able to reforest a mangrove and regenerate endemic
marinelife, weave piña fiber or bathe under waterfalls!
Click here for more information |
|
Dear Friend,
Renewing
Life!
#7006-52
and 53
New Small Full Color Notebook Designs
good
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