Last night I told my sister that I couldn’t believe that I am finally leaving for my semester abroad (in Bath, England) this weekend. She gave voice to my inner thoughts responding, “Me too; it’s like you just got home,” before quickly adding, “But I still want you to leave.” While it now seems like no time has passed at all, I’ve actually been on break for what felt like the longest 6 weeks of my life, obsessing over countless study abroad related blogs, Yahoo answers, and Pinterest boards on everything from what to pack to what to see. Needless to say, the feeling is mutual.
Over this long break, full of ample time for leisure, I’ve been reading up on Ignatian spirituality–developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the religious order also known as the Jesuits) and practiced today by many (Jesuits and non-Jesuits) worldwide. As I’ve prepared for my time abroad, I’ve come to accept that there’s only so much planning I can do and no way of knowing everything that lies ahead, so I’m taking with me a few Ignatian principles that will hopefully make my time in Bath the best that it can be.
- Living Simply: As I’ve said, I’ve done a lot of research on what to pack, and honestly it’s been a burden on my mind at times. However, for the past couple of years I’ve travelled from Arizona to Georgetown, so the stress of packing is nothing new. What I’m trying to keep in mind is that there is no need, nor is it possible, to take my entire life with me. Further, the Ignatian principle of simple living emphasizes the richness we feel when we are less burdened (by anything, but in this case, definitely shoes). So, I trust that what I take will be sufficient and that there is always a store near by.
- Contemplation in Action: St. Ignatius believed in finding God in all things, which applied more broadly can mean finding the good in all things. In our busy lives, it’s easy to be bogged down by everything, so the idea of being contemplatives in action urges us to be aware and reflective during the action of the day. I’m sure that the next four months will be packed with excitement, action, and even stress, so I hope to take moments throughout my day to be grateful for my experience and to recognize the good at work in my day-to-day experiences.
- Magis: Magis is Latin for more, and in the Ignatian context urges people to do more for the greater good. However, one of the best explanations of magis I’ve heard is not necessarily doing everything, but digging deeper. With this in mind, I’m looking forward to using this time as a means to immerse myself in what matters: my studies, the location, and the people. I certainly don’t expect to do everything, but I do look forward to the experiences I will have.
I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to put Georgetown’s Jesuit values into action during the months ahead. I hope to do justice to my adventures through this blog and to make the most of this time.
