IN THE BEGINNING ... A SABBATICAL JOURNEY

As 2022 peeks over the horizon, I begin my Intentional Life. No more excuses. No more 'one more day' rationalizations. The clock is ticking and the gift of time only lasts so long. This year, on my 53rd birthday, I am giving myself the gift of a year. I'm taking a sabbatical year, and calling a pause to my crazy, hectic life. I am going to live each day with intention, which St. Ignatius of Loyola would applaud! This is going to be a journey, and one I am looking forward to sharing. I feel so blessed to be able to take this time, and I realize I am being called to something: a journey, an adventure, a rare opportunity to explore life, my own life, and discern the next step.

The word ‘sabbatical’ comes from the Biblical practice of Shmita and Sabbath. Every seven years, Israeli farmers take a year-long break from toiling the land. Based on Leviticus 25, in the 7th year the land and vineyards remain fallow, and debtors are to be released. Coming from the word ‘sabbath,’ the land would be worked for 6 years and on the 7th year rest. Today a sabbatical is simply stepping away from one’s usual work or career to take an extended leave. More than an extended vacation, sleeping till noon every day and binge-watching Netflix every night, a sabbatical is intentional time set apart for the purpose of rest, growth, creating, and discerning. My sabbatical will likely include some sleeping in and Netflix! I call that self-care!

I am still in the planning stages of my sabbatical year which will start in March. There are so many things I want to do this year: volunteer at a shelter for migrants and refugees (Annunciation House, El Paso, TX.); volunteer at a home for the dying; take my mom on a trip to see the Passion Play in Germany; do a 30-day silent Ignatian retreat; walk the Camino de Santiago; read; study; write; and discern my next step in life. I am looking for opportunities to position myself to love. I don’t know what I have to offer this world, but I do have love and I would like to give that love to others.

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