[contents week 11 (Option 2)]
WEEK 11 (Option 2) - Day 1
Training ground for inner composure and peace
Introduction
Frenzy is a great affliction of our time.  This, however, is less dependent on external circumstances than on the inner attitude of a person.  Those who live in constant anticipation and who are unable to let go of the past, remain in continual inner tension.  They are bound by tasks at which they stare constantly.  In this way frenzy gains a slavish hold on them.  These people put themselves under pressure to produce and find inner peace only when they attain visible results.

Consequently, they lose the inner freedom offered and intended for them by God.  Just as a compass needle orients itself in a northerly direction when there is no other magnetic field nearby, so this freedom needs unrestricted movement.  In like manner people find  freedom by looking to God with the question, "What do you want of me now?"
This alone is important and not what others demand of us, nor what we demand of ourselves.  However, this is easier said then done.  It doesn't happen by itself.  We must practice continuously.  The training ground for this inner attitude is found in the everyday life with its specific tasks.

Exercice
- Philippians 2:14 f. ("Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be  blameless and innocent children of God)

Seldom is the goal more visible than presented here: "to be blameless, to be innocent (take in these words deeply once more!), be a child of God, shine as light in the world..."
How do we do that?  It seems so simple.  Do all things without grumbling or doubting, without grumbling outwardly or even inwardly.  Do everything without doubting, as though there was nothing more important for us to do.  Only one thing is important: what should we do now in accord with God's will?

Preparatory meditation for an activity

O God, I will try to do all I do without remaining in the past or being already on the next task.  In my imagination I complete my work in this way...
O God, I will try to focus entirely on the task entering it with an inner peace which streams from the certainty that you desire nothing more from me than what I am doing.  In my imagination I complete my work in this way...
O God, I will try to free myself from the pressure to accomplish something or to record some success that I expect of myself or that others expect of me and instead see the doing itself as important.  In my imagination I complete my work in this way...

In this activity, for which you have done preparatory meditation, allow a little more time during the day than otherwise.  Prepare yourself for that in a brief moment of silence.  Here take up again what happened in the meditation and let it flow into the tasks that lie before you. 
Comment:

Please do not expect overriding "success" here.  What happens in this process is like a seed which needs time to emerge, grow and ripen.
Suggestion for a repetitive prayer
O, God, come to my aid, Lord hurry to help me,
1.  that what I do today I do as your will ( without wanting something else),
2.  that I remain aware of the fact that nothing is more important to do ( than what you will for  me)...
3. that I focus my thoughts and will on the present work ( without remaining with the past or  already dealing with the next task)...
4. that I do my work in joy ( so I give you the answer of my love in my activity) ...
5. that in what I do I will do with focus and calmness ( so I can be open to your presence)...
Lord Jesus Christ, whose food it was to fulfill the will of his father, have mercy on me...
Comments:
Where repetitive prayer is offered it is meant as suggestions which each person can alter according to his/her  needs.  The phrases are often too long for use during the prayers.  What is in the parentheses is meant as background for better understanding
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