Recap of Sr. Eliana's Talk

Ladies,

For those of you who weren't able to make it to the recent Women's Ministry event, I just wanted to touch on some of the main points of Sr. Eliana's talk about self-awareness as a means to self-gift.

  The first part of the talk was about coming to a better understanding of yourself and learning about yourself
- Listen to your stream-of-consciousness. What are your thoughts, dreams, daydreams, etc. trying to tell you about yourself? Take this to prayer
- What are your potential triggers/wounds that can affect your relationships?
- Don't discount your feelings - learn to guide them in prayer through the use of your reason and will.
- Listen to the older women and role-models in our life - they often have more experience and wisdom to share.
- Do a daily examine. At the end of your day, ask the Lord when and where you were with Him and when you were not.
- Note: All these things are meant to be taken to prayer, so prayer is obviously necessary and primary. Guard and protect your intimate prayer time and times of silence.
- Let the Lord affirm you through the experiences and circumstances of your daily life. Let Him love you through your friendships, relationships, triumphs, etc.
- Get to know Mary and develop a relationship with her! She is more fundamental to growing close to Christ than we can possibly imagine.
- Read! Draw fom the wisdom and beauty of Sacred Scripture,  the Catechism, the saints, philosophers, theologians, etc.

The second part of the talk was about self-gift and how we can practice it right now. This does not necessarily mean the self-gift to which you will be called in your unique vocation.
- Minisry of Presence
   - This involves communicating to others through all of your actions, both obvious and subtle, that they are truly worth your time. Be attentive, listen, make eye contact
   - Be authentic and truly share yourself with others.
   - Be okay with not having all the answers.
While there is so much more to be said on this topic, and while I cannot re-iterate all the wonderful things Sr. Eliana said, I hope this is helpful. I hope I find you all well, and please know that the ladies of Women's Ministry are always praying for you!
In Christ,
Marta