From my morning reading

"Being part of an order means taking an enhanced view of personal formation. We must not allow ourselves to slide into a daily frenzy of activity that crowds out any thought of future development, or we deny not only ourselves but also our communities. Unless a person keeps an eye to the future, it's easy to stray from the path. Only when we watch the road far ahead can we steer a straight course...maintaining a lifetime perspective and being a lifelong learner arre essential to finishing well." -- John Hayes, sub-merge.

This really confirms the path I've been on during Lent. It has been a little awkward, setting aside seven weeks (roughly a sabbath of a 52-week year, by the way) to go so deeply inward. I have felt a little guilty...but also believed that this could possibly be a "last chance" (? does such a thing exist with God?) to adjust my course before descending quickly into poor health on every level -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

I think I need to read sub-merge a few times through, maybe once a year. And another thought this morning: it's probably time to stop regretting that I didn't learn this stuff in my 20s, and enjoy the view more -- both forward and backward.