St.Ignatius is a teacher of spiritual life.

The spiritual life undoubtedly includes. So let’s ask what our resolution should be, for example, a confessional one.

First principle: To be effective, it must be specific, not general. It won’t help to try: I want to improve! You have to determine exactly what and how. It’s like saying to yourself: I will learn to play the piano. You have to take concrete steps. I will sign up for the course, and I will practice so much. None of the musicians said to themselves: I have a strong will, I will start playing. You have to: first, second, thumbs up…

Second principle: Your resolution must also be positive. Not what you will not do wrong, but how you will do it well. Not so: I will finish falling asleep, – but what time will I go to sleep, and when will I get up?

The third principle is to make only one resolution, to follow it well. Remember it during the morning prayer; check it during the evening prayer. Whoever makes more resolutions will soon run out of energy and fall away-

The fourth principle is to make your resolution transferable (feasible). One man generously decided, “I will cover my wife with attention.” Nothing came of it. He would have done better if he had said to himself, “I will not go to rest before I ask the woman if she needs anything.” Or, more simply, “I’ll get up from the table and take away her plate.” Then another can.

Fifth principle: Let your resolution be reasonable. You must clarify why you want to practice this and why it is worthwhile. It should benefit the other. For example, explain the above: It will help our relationships and be an example for children. This reasonableness in your resolution will reassure you and give you the confidence that you are on the right path toward spiritual growth.

The sixth principle is to let your resolution and your regulation be joyful. Embrace the journey with a light heart so you don’t play the martyr when the going gets tough. Remember, you won’t improve without humor—you’ll only get sad. So, let the joy of your resolution be your guiding light, inspiring you to keep going even when the path seems challenging, ignore past failures, and make a resolution. One resolution is concrete, positive, feasible, reasonable, and joyful. When making

Resolutions, knowing yourself, your possibilities, the strength of your will, and not making grandiose plans are essential. It is much better to make a minor decision but keep your word. St. Ignatius of Loyola carried a piece of twine in his pocket, which he used to tie knots whenever he made a mistake he wanted to eliminate. He concentrated on only one but stopped when the twine was in his pocket without a knot until he had conquered the evil trait. Some errors only take a few weeks to eliminate; others require months. Today’s birthday boy was not ashamed of it, although he was a tough soldier. He knew he had to be consistent. This self-awareness and consistency will empower you and keep you in control of your journey toward spiritual growth.

IN editor, Blaise Pascal says: I admire those who get people to fight for them. They stood at the head of the army, defeated other armies, and conquered cities and nations. However, I admire much more those who know how to overcome themselves. We conclude: Overcoming yourself is indeed tricky but also very necessary. We should do everything to make it happen. St. Teresa ironically noted that the road to hell is paved with good intentions that were never realized. Already half a millennium ago, Thomas from  Kempen wrote: A person’s spiritual progress is governed by resolutions. If even the one who tries hard falls back into mistakes, how will the one who tries nothing do?” You would be almost excellent if you eliminated just one mistake an aye