Examen - 18 2025
Transcript
As we prepare for this time of reflection, I invite you to take a few deep cleansing breaths. Take a deep breath in, becoming aware of your chest and belly expanding and creating space. Breathe out, feeling the release of air and any tension that you might be holding. Continue to breathe for a few moments, feeling your body create space, and releasing whatever is keeping you from this present moment.
As you settle into this space, I invite you to become aware of the Presence that gives meaning and motivation to your life, whether that is the language of God, which we call by many names, the universe, family, or culture. May you know that you are not alone, but part of something much greater than yourself, something good, something divine. Ask for openness to see your day through the eyes of love and grounded in reality.
Now I invite you to replay your day, from the moment you woke up to now. As you walk through the day, become particularly aware of the moments where you found yourself feeling thankful. Who did you see, what encounters surface readily, what moments do you find yourself dwelling on. What were you thankful for in these moments? How did you express thanksgiving? What did it feel like to be thankful? Where in your body does it live? Is it a feeling of lightness in your chest, warmth in your belly, connection? What does thankfulness feel like for you?
Stay here for a few moments. Don’t move too quickly. Let yourself more fully experience thanksgiving for these moments.
We return to walking through your day, with a particular awareness for moments where thanksgiving was not present. With a sense of gentleness and non-judgment, allow any moments of frustration, judgment, anxiety, or ingratitude to surface. What sticks out to you? What is nagging you, or taking up space in your mind and heart? Invite the divine into this moment, allowing this experience to speak to you in love. What did you need? What lesson did you learn? What feelings are you carrying with you from this experience, whether it be anger, grief, sadness, or any other feeling. Where is it living in your body? Is it a tension in your shoulders, tightness in your belly, weight on your chest? What does it feel like for you?
As you hold this experience with the divine, I invite you to breathe in and create some space for grace. Is there an invitation for forgiveness, for either yourself or another person, for conversation, for self-care or something else? Continue to breathe into any tension or difficult feelings you might have. Breathing out, let the tension go.
Now, allow yourself to focus on one thing, whether it be a word, image, feeling, or experience to take with you from this reflection. What do you want to hold onto? What is the invitation as you move into tomorrow?
I invite you to express thanksgiving to God or any other image that brings you meaning. May you see more clearly that which you are thankful for and become more aware of all the ways the world expresses thankfulness for the gift of you being you.
November 18, 2025
Examen: Thanksgiving
SUMMARY: Reflect upon when you felt thankful today.
PRESENTER: Sarah Simmons, Chaplain, Health Sciences Campus Ministry
Transcript
As we prepare for this time of reflection, I invite you to take a few deep cleansing breaths. Take a deep breath in, becoming aware of your chest and belly expanding and creating space. Breathe out, feeling the release of air and any tension that you might be holding. Continue to breathe for a few moments, feeling your body create space, and releasing whatever is keeping you from this present moment.
As you settle into this space, I invite you to become aware of the Presence that gives meaning and motivation to your life, whether that is the language of God, which we call by many names, the universe, family, or culture. May you know that you are not alone, but part of something much greater than yourself, something good, something divine. Ask for openness to see your day through the eyes of love and grounded in reality.
Now I invite you to replay your day, from the moment you woke up to now. As you walk through the day, become particularly aware of the moments where you found yourself feeling thankful. Who did you see, what encounters surface readily, what moments do you find yourself dwelling on. What were you thankful for in these moments? How did you express thanksgiving? What did it feel like to be thankful? Where in your body does it live? Is it a feeling of lightness in your chest, warmth in your belly, connection? What does thankfulness feel like for you?
Stay here for a few moments. Don’t move too quickly. Let yourself more fully experience thanksgiving for these moments.
We return to walking through your day, with a particular awareness for moments where thanksgiving was not present. With a sense of gentleness and non-judgment, allow any moments of frustration, judgment, anxiety, or ingratitude to surface. What sticks out to you? What is nagging you, or taking up space in your mind and heart? Invite the divine into this moment, allowing this experience to speak to you in love. What did you need? What lesson did you learn? What feelings are you carrying with you from this experience, whether it be anger, grief, sadness, or any other feeling. Where is it living in your body? Is it a tension in your shoulders, tightness in your belly, weight on your chest? What does it feel like for you?
As you hold this experience with the divine, I invite you to breathe in and create some space for grace. Is there an invitation for forgiveness, for either yourself or another person, for conversation, for self-care or something else? Continue to breathe into any tension or difficult feelings you might have. Breathing out, let the tension go.
Now, allow yourself to focus on one thing, whether it be a word, image, feeling, or experience to take with you from this reflection. What do you want to hold onto? What is the invitation as you move into tomorrow?
I invite you to express thanksgiving to God or any other image that brings you meaning. May you see more clearly that which you are thankful for and become more aware of all the ways the world expresses thankfulness for the gift of you being you.