Happy Advent!  Our Advent season is extremely short this year—barely three weeks—because Christmas falls on a Monday.  With such a short season, time is of the essence!  And in some ways, that is the message of the season.  How am I using my time?  Do I have a good balance of time for prayer, work, family, relaxation, service…etc.?
 
We often think of religious life as being very strenuous.  However, St. Benedict, whose Rule became the model for most religious orders, takes a very balanced approach.  Simplifying his “Rule,” the day was to be divided into eight hours for work (how many of us “workaholics” put in longer days?), and eight hours for sleep (do you get your “8 hours” every day?).  The remaining eight hours was for eating, prayer, scripture/spiritual reading, recreation, and just spending time in community—all the tasks of ordinary life!  I don’t know, but that actually sounds pretty good to me.
 
I have sometimes wished I lived in such a structured environment!  Daily life for me can be much more challenging, and so many things can “eat up” my time.  As I start off a new year, I often resolve to do something to make my life better.  Perhaps a little resolution to manage and use my time better would be a good idea.  How about you?