This 4 step approach is based on how St. Ignatius taught his seminarians and priests to make great progress in their spiritual lives.

 

Step 1: Have a pure intention

 

Be motivated to change out of a deep desire to grow in the love of God.  If you don't have this desire, ask our Lady for it.  In pursuing holiness, beware of the two fold Pharisaical motives that can creep in:

 

Bad Motive 1: Doing good things, so that others will think you are holy.

Bad Motive 2: Doing good things, because it makes you feel better than others.

 

Step 2: Find what to work on

 

Write down three things you should stop doing, and pick the one you think you should stop doing first.

 

Examples:

I should watch less TV

I should stop getting frustrated with my wife because of a messy house.

I should stop getting angry at other drivers on the road.

 

Step 3: With the one you chose, use the fill in the blank formula

 

Instead of, "blank" I will, "blank".

 

Example 1: 

Instead of watching TV after dinner, I will go on a walk and pray the rosary.

 

Example 2: 

Instead of getting frustrated when I get home from work because the house looks a wreck, my first thing will be to ask my wife, "how can I help".

 

Example 3: 

Instead of getting angry with crazy drivers on the road, I will say a prayer for them like,"Lord, please give that person the graces they most need right now."

 

Step 4: Track your progress

 

In the morning: Renew your resolution to stop doing "blank" and to start doing "blank". Before going to bed: Examine how you did.  If you did it, thank God for that grace.  If you didn't, ask for the grace to be faithful tomorrow.  Don't let this simple approach deceive you, it was a single stone focused in the right place, that brought Goliath crashing down. 

 

It is important to regularly renew Step 1. Make sure that your intentions are pure and out of a deep desire to grow in the love of God.  Yes, we must be doing the right things for the right reasons. We have no better guide on the path to holiness, than our Lady.  Ask our Blessed Mother to help you keep the intentions of your heart pure, and She will.

 

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