Spiritual Practice of the Month: SELF-REFLECTION Published Jan. 8, 2019 By Lt. Col. Chad A. Bellamy, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain 20th Fighter Wing Chaplain Corps SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C -- SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C--“If you go through a lot of hammers each month, I don’t think it necessarily means you’re a hard worker. It may just mean that you have a lot to learn about proper hammer maintenance,” said Jack Handey, American humorist.This is one of Jack Handey’s five-star quotes from “Deep Thoughts With Jack Handey” as shown on Saturday Night Live. The humor resides in the reality that Handey’s thoughts really are not that deep; or are they?The practice of self-reflection goes back many centuries and is rooted in the world’s great spiritual traditions.We all have an inner spiritual being designed to shine brilliantly, like a diamond. However, just as a neglected diamond accumulates dirt, our souls inevitably collect dust and grime as a result of living in a flawed world. Self-reflection is the initial step towards cleaning off the grime and, ultimately, the rediscovery of the true self.The month of January is a perfect time to begin the practice of self-reflection because an entire year has just come to an end. It is a time to look back, revisit personal choices, assess relationships, and affirm what you did right as well as acknowledge mistakes.Yes, there is the hope of a new year and a cleaned slate lies ahead, but, without self-reflection and personal monitoring, we are likely to journey into another year unprepared; continuing a pattern of poor decisions and consequences.In the same way, deliberating time for self-reflection can highlight our recent successes, reaffirm the productive choices, as well as all the welcomed benefits received throughout the year.The spiritual practice of self-reflection generally involves certain basic characteristics.– The requirement for time which is set aside exclusively for the purpose.– The use of space, preferably with some degree of isolation that limits external distraction.– The application of questions which helps examine our lives with an emphasis on our conduct in relation to others.A developed spiritual life serves as an anchor amidst the ever present storms of life.I suggest rising up early one morning, grabbing that cup of coffee, a pen and paper, and, in the quietness of the morning, practice self-reflection. Chart your thoughts, noting the peaks and valleys throughout the year.Shake the dust off your soul and prepare for the changes that will allow the coming year to be the best yet.