“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance…” (BCP, 265)

One of the gifts of the Spiritual Exercises by Ignatius is the practice of Examen. One way to review the previous 24 hours is to ask, “What am I grateful for?” and “What am I not grateful for?”

Several years ago, I uncovered that it was a lot easier for me to think of those things I wasn’t grateful for. I started a practice of recording three things I am grateful for each day…and I try not to repeat myself during a month. This practice has opened my eyes to see more and to be grateful for more.

Here are some questions to increase the depth, frequency, and breadth of gratitude.

1. How intensely do I experience my moments of gratitude?

2. How often do I pause to consider the blessings and gifts in my life?

3. Are there any gaps in my awareness because I tend to take events, people and things for granted?

4. Do I spend enough time thinking about all the people who, in some way or another, have contributed to my experiences? Do I thank them?

Recently, I have experimented with another fun way of being thankful: thinking of three things each day based on each succeeding letter of the alphabet. I set myself the goal of recording three things I had never thanked God for before, for example:

A = arms, armadillos, ants

E = eyelids, eclipses, elephants

L = lanyards, lice, line workers

I found savoring a letter per day increased my sense of anticipation. I doodled little illustrations, as well.

If your self-examination leads you to discover that you are more a “glass half-empty” person, consider repenting through the practice of gratitude.

—The Rev. Susanne Methven

Saint Simeon’s Senior Community