solace @anima-mundii - Tumblr Blog

The Quarter Life Essays #1

Is this a fully developed frontal lobe?

“Is this a fully developed frontal lobe?” I asked myself as I accepted that I have entered my mid-twenties. As I look back, I now know the things my younger self wished she knew as a teenager. If I could travel back in time, I would give a quick Ted Talk on how to go about things like self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. On the contrary, this likely wouldn’t benefit my natural trajectory towards learning from falling, failing, and fighting the urge to give up. If you’re wondering what a girl in her quarter life crisis has learned so far, you’re reading the right essay!

I discovered there is no universal timeline. Subconscious comparison is such an enemy in my twenties and I am not afraid to admit it. As I scroll online, it’s hard for me to be devoid of the feeling of missing out on milestones I see my peers hit at my age. They’re travelling to places both local and abroad, achieving markers of progress in their careers, or even continuing their studies. There were times I couldn’t help but wonder if I was doing enough – If I was in the right place at the right time.

Eventually, comparison shifted to curiosity about the sacrifices it took to be where they were. It painted a clearer picture that showed not a single path was identical to another. I began to see how people are driven by their unique priorities and values. Ultimately, not everyone is in the same stage of life and even if they were, they were never identical in circumstances, challenges, and opportunities. Social media may show you the fruits of their labor but not the sleepless nights or the hard days that led them there.

I see time as a choice of inconvenience. As a working adult, it is difficult to allot time and energy to things outside of the office. My 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, along with my weekends, became a chess game I had to learn to play. I moved pieces around to keep everything on the board—my work, rest, relationships, hobbies, and other goals—with the hope of making sure things moved smoothly.

I kept running out of time and energy, all while trying to get enough rest. Rather than banking on convenience, I started to decide when things were worth the inconvenience. I saw this whenever my friends missed an earlier bus so we can take it together even if it means coming home at a later hour. The friends who want to hangout after work in spite of it being all of us tired together but eventually being energized by our own laughter. Even if it means, walking or waking up earlier or staying up a little late it makes all the difference.

In those moments, I felt most alive when my only focus was to enjoy the present that our hardships should not rob us of. Although, I make time to rest up from working hard for most of the week. I embraced finding rest in the company of those who choose to inconvenience themselves as well. Whenever I am out late, my dad messages one word “Enjoy!”.

I found ways to keep my feet on the ground. The older I got the more I found myself lost in my own worries and hyper fixated on my own stressors. For the first time in my life, there was no path to follow. No exams to ace, no academic level to go up next to, and not a single expected door to enter to. I often felt like I was running a race without a clear finish line. What was I rushing towards? It dawned on me I was trying to run away from the reality of stressors and factors I had no control over.

I began to see the real world being a world of endless possibilities. I can soar towards the highest heights, possibly fall from them later on. Although, it was my choice whether to remain laying on the ground wondering how I got there or figure out how to get back up again. Perspective and self-belief is currency in a world that so often discourages us with its unfathomable realities.

How do I keep my feet on the ground? I started to sit down with the anxiety, stress, and fear and acknowledge they’re there. However, I can still choose to move at my own pace; create my own path as I stroll through life. With this, I began to better appreciate the cards I am dealt with, the people I have the honor to be surrounded with, and art my heart was made to consume fully.

a-path-by-the-moon

boardexaminations-blog

Links to Novena Prayers

Th eseprayers will surely help you also to give you peace of mind and peace of heart and will guide you during your review and exams

Novena to St. Claire of Assisi http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p04336.htm Novena to St. Therese of Lisieux http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-therese-novena/ Novena to St. Jude Thaddeaus http://stjudethaddeusnovena.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/stjudenovena/ and/or http://www.prayerbook.com/Novenas/judenove.htm

Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help http://images.monstermarketplace.com/catholic-books/our-lady-of-perpetual-help-prayer-card-rcc-3e-800x610.jpg

Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima http://images.monstermarketplace.com/catholic-books/our-lady-of-fatima-laminated-prayer-card-with-embossed-medal-800x618.jpg Prayer to Our Lady of Grace http://www.czestochowa.us/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Our_Lady_of_Grac_490a13ed794c7.jpg Novena to Black Nazarene http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p02181.htm Novena to St. Francis of Assisi http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p00089.htm

http://images.monstermarketplace.com/catholic-books/our-lady-of-perpetual-help-prayer-card-rcc-3e-800x610.jpg

boardexaminations-blog

PRAYER FOR BOARD EXAM AND REVIEW

Prayer for Preparation to Study

Grant me peace, O God, as I open my books and notes. Open my mind to Thy will, and may I dedicate these hours to Thy Son, Jesus Christ.

Offer me insight, O Lord, that I might understand these things, and see them as a part of Thy Kingdom.

May I offer Thee my best in reading and learning that it may be a part of my discipleship.

O Jesus Christ, may this be a worthy time that is faithful to Thee and bring me closer to the goals I have in order to serve Thee.

I offer this time and prayer in Thy holy Name. Amen.

Prayer Before an Exam

O wise God, I pray that my mind might be rested, my body energized, and my spirit inspired for the exam I must write.

Grant me peace and assurance so that I might do the best I am able, regardless of what that might be.

Be with my fellow students and may I be a good example to them, offering reassurance and confidence regardless of how I feel.

May I be honest and insightful, and able to give a true record of what I have learned. In the end, may any disappointment be born with grace, and any joy accompanied with humility.

I write this exam with Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer For Peace of Mind

In this time of anxiety, O loving God, grant me peace of mind. Quiet any distress and allow me to see clearly my mission and discipleship.

I pray for my examiners as well as for myself, so that they might be wise in their questioning so that it will allow for a true accounting of my learning and understanding.

May the memory of my family and friends remind me of their support, regardless of outcome, united with them in the spirit of love.

May I be wise enough to gain enough rest so all might be ready, my thoughts organized, and my life dedicated to serve Thee whatever the cost, through the love of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Amen.

Prayer in a Time of Anxiety

When I am truly anxious, O God, remind me of my love of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. May I realize that I will not be abandoned, but am accompanied always by Him.

Dispel any sense of self-concern, and remind me that others are feeling the same tensions, which is only natural in times of stress.

Grant me insight, God of Wisdom, to see the things that have been taught, to understand them in the unfolding story of Thy Creation, and our place within it.

May I lay my head down to rest confident that Thou art always with us, through the love and affection of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

Prayer Before Retiring at Night

God of strength and of comfort, I close the day with thoughts of Thee.

As I turn myself over to the sleep of the present night, grant that Thy benediction may be upon me, and all whom I love. We depend upon Thy care, and pray that we may awake reassured of Thy presence.

No matter how late it might be, nor how early I might have to arise, may this time of sleep help to restore my calmness and perceptiveness, so that when I open my eyes next, I shall be ready to continue my study and service of Thee.

In the last moments of consciousness, I resign my life and purpose to Thee, and to Thy Son, Jesus Christ, in whose Name I pray. Amen.

Prayer When I Awake

May my first thoughts be of Thee, O Light of Life, and may I dedicate all that I do these coming hours to Thy glory.

If my task be to study, may I do it without hesitation. If I face an examination, may I meet it with determination and goodwill.

As I cast off the hour(s) of sleep, and prepare for my responsibilities for the day, may I always remember that Thou art with me in the person of Thy Son, Jesus Christ.

As I awaken, quicken my mind, enlarge my heart, and grant me wisdom to do my best in all I do this day.

May I be a true steward of the time I have this day, and dedicate all that I do to the love and care of my Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

_______________________________________________________

As Exam Day Approaches O God of Wisdom, I thank you for the knowledge gained and the learning experiences of this year. I come to you on this day and ask you to enlighten my mind and heart. Let your Holy Spirit be with me as I prepare for exams, guiding my studies, and giving me insight so that I can perform to be best of my ability. Please grant me the strength to handle the pressure of these final days of the term, the confidence to feel secure in my knowledge, and the ability to keep an appropriate perspective through it all. Help me to keep in mind what is truly important, even as I focus my time and energy on these exams in the immediate future. Finally, may I sense your peace in knowing that I applied myself to the challenges of this day. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

First Day of Exams “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and they who live by it grow in understanding. Praise will be His for ever.” Psalm 111: 10 (REB) O wise God, I pray that my mind might be rested, my body energized, and my spirit inspired for the exam I must write. Grant me peace and assurance so that I might do the best I am able, regardless of what that might be. Be with my fellow students that I might be a good example to them of faithfulness, offering reassurance and confidence regardless of how I feel. May I be honest and insightful, able to give a true record of what I have learned this past term. In the end, may any disappointment be born with grace and any joy accompanied with humility. I write this examination with Thee, O God. Amen. Second Day of Exams “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. … The first step to wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9: 1,10 (REB) Whether I have an exam or not, incline my ear to Thy word, and open my eyes to Thy presence. It is so easy to forget that Thou art with us. Direct my energy to the accomplishment of Thy will for me, allowing my spirit to detect the direction in which I might best be Thy disciple. Today I find myself immersed in words, sentences, symbols and equations – whatever language which my subject uses. May they speak clearly and with distinction. May my desk be an altar where I may lay down my life through my efforts, and dedicate it all to Thee by quickening my knowledge for Thy will to be done. Amen. Third Day of Exams “When I look up at your heavens, the work of your fingers, at the moon and the stars you have set in place, what is a frail mortal, that you should be mindful of him, a human being, that you should take notice of him?” Psalm 8: 3,4 (REB) Wondrous God, we look at Creation when we study, and see so much. We see the works of Thy fingers in the majesty of science and the arts, telling us that these are the implements by which we build Thy Kingdom. We are in awe of the infinity of Thy universe, and seek to know as much as we are able. May the combination of all our minds open to us an understanding of the meaning of it all.Armed with this vision, may we explore the knowledge we have and use it wisely. In our examinations, may we display our knowledge with reverence and duty, “Lord our Sovereign, how glorious is your Name throughout the world!” (Psalm 8: 9 (REB)) Amen. O loving and merciful God, My whole existence depends on you, I ask you to send your Holy Spirit into my heart and mind. Fill me with your grace, beyond my own personal strength, So that I can dedicate the time and energy I need, to study. Give me the strength to resist the distractions from studying. When I am studying by myself, help me to remember that You are my companion, and that I am never alone. Help my teachers to explain things clearly. Help me to respect them. Help me to pay attention and to listen well in class. Give me the courage to ask questions when I don’t understand. Give me the humility to ask for help when I need it. Help me to accept my results After I have done all I can do. Give me a spirit of gratitude For the privilege of learning at this school, While many people in the world do not get such a good opportunity. Help me to make the most of the wonderful gifts you have given me, And to return them to you with generosity. You have been with me through rough times in the past. Help me to trust that you are here with me now. Give me hope for the future, And help me to trust that, whatever the future brings, You are already there waiting for me With your loving embrace. I Offer you this prayer through your Son, My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you, forever and ever. Amen

source: source:http://pupclass.blogspot.com/2009/01/prayer-for-board-exam-and-review.html