Note to Self: Creating Your Guide to a More Spiritual Life

Just enough history of the monastic origin of “the rule” as well as the author’s personal experience to engage the reader. And, even more important, a comprehensive and encouraging guide, step by step, into how and why to develop your own rule of life.

This book for me is a requirement for Diaconal Training...Yet I have already recommended it for two other people before I finished reading it. I can not wait to start prepping for writing my Rule of Life...Perhaps everyone should read this book...What a Blessing to so many who are in need of finding God in the midst of our lives!

I've read about and/or been instructed on writing a Rule of Life many times over the years. For me, it was always exciting in the beginning, but eventually the excitement faded and I realized there was no way I could keep to almost any of the "rule" I had written. Those rules were always overly ambitious, usually from having recently read one of those "How to Be a Monk and Have a Day Job" kind of books. I never had the discipline for the expectations I placed on myself, and I always burned out quickly.I found something different in "Note to Self". LaFond approaches the idea of a "rule" from inside the person, rather than from outside. While there is plenty of room here for spiritual aspirations informed by the great teachers of the tradition, that isn't the foundation on which LaFond builds. We learn to listen more deeply to the movements, needs and desires of our own lives, and build a rule that is reflective, practical and faithful.I appreciate the simplicity of this approach; a simplicity that allows a lot of space for work, but also provides opportunity for insight, self-reflection and growth. This is a worthy read for anyone on the spiritual journey.

This fresh approach to creating a rule of life hit the spot for me. After many years of exploring traditional rules from different traditions, I find the journaling with components of the rule to contribute to ongrowing insight and growth.

This is one of the most valuable books I’ve read in a very long time. Excellent.

Recommended to all who are seeking spiritual growth. Excellent for book clubs, retreat group book discussion. Reading flow is good.