Structure, routine, habits — for good or bad, they make our lives what they are. Productive, positive, evolving; static, negative or even destructive. I, like most of us, am someone who thrives on routine, and when I can incorporate something as a habit, I am much more likely to stick with it. Trying to do a new task haphazardly or just “whenever I think of it” doesn’t work so well for this working mom who already can’t remember to put the empty shampoo bottle in the recycling bin for 3 weeks straight :).

I find that Catholicism is the most structured Christian religion I have yet to come across and I’ve been exposed to quite a few. Just what I needed! I’ve always been on a path to self-improvement and spent much time exploring and reading New Age philosophy to try and get there, but what I found in Catholicism is a very specific path, a proven path to self-improvement that has worked for countless more before me and certainly countless after me.

What do I mean by structure? Some examples… Every day there are set readings that are the same across the church that relate to the season: one Old Testament, one letter from St. Paul and one Gospel. They are carefully chosen so that the Old Testament is revealed in the New. Mass is very structured and thus comforting. Daily Mass is available to anyone who wants to grow spiritually each day; at all times you can pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament; and at our church, monthly is Eucharistic Adoration where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for prayer and contemplation.

The Liturgy of the Hours lets you pray up to 7 times daily the same prayers that are being said worldwide by monks, priests and deacons. You’re to attend Mass weekly and on all Holy Days of Obligation; regularly confess your sins so you’re reminded of your failings and what you need to improve on. And it goes on… Structure to your days, your months and your life.

Matthew Kelly, one of my favorite Catholic authors, whose book “Rediscovering Catholicism” showed me how Catholicism is relevant to my life today, talks a lot about discipline and habit as the path to becoming “the best version of yourself.” Catholicism is a great model for what habits to develop and provides structure to help you stick to those habits.

I’ve read several articles of late that speak to how to create and maintain those habits. This article from Forbes notes how Benjamin Franklin listed 13 virtues he wanted to improve upon and set up a cycle of focusing on each one for a week. Notes the article: “In the morning he thought about how he would reinforce the new habit throughout the day. During the day he looked at his notes to remind himself of the new habit. At the end of the day, he counted how many times he fell back into the old habit.”

I think this is a great tactic so you’re not overwhelmed with working on 10 new habits at once (which I often fall prey to and fail). I’ve also read where developing a new habit takes about 3 weeks before it becomes ingrained so keep that in mind as you add new habits.

Success at developing new habits has a lot to do with willpower and focus. An article I read in the Wall Street Journal reviewing the book “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength” talked about how willpower is like a muscle you have to strengthen. Try little challenges at first (can you avoid the bowl of candy at the bank?) and then move on to bigger challenges (like forgoing daily dessert).

Tomorrow, I’m going to share with you my New Year’s Spiritual Resolutions that I hope to slowly implement this year as new and productive habits.

Do you like the structure of the Catholic church? Do you find it helpful or harmful? I, for one, am hoping the church’s structure will assist me in becoming a better version of myself in 2013.

As I reorder my life to be more in line with the Catholic church and what God asks of us to become more holy and more saintly, humility is a quality I come upon again and again. All through my life, it has been incredibly important to me for others to approve of what I have done – in work, in life, as a mom, as a wife. I thrive on compliments and am dismayed when someone doesn’t like work that I’ve done.

I think this speaks to the true essence of humility. Because I am concerned what others think, that is demonstrating too much pride. If I were humble, I would not care what others think. I would be doing the work for the work’s sake, to please God in that moment.

In the “Rule of St. Benedict,” the saint who developed a guide for the operation of monastaries, Benedict says we must remember that everything good we do comes from God, not us; that’s a lesson in humility. And one that I take to heart and remember in moments of pride. In fact, he lists 7 steps to humility that may not apply completely in today’s world, but which the essence of which certainly does. It’s a great, simple read and a wonderful guide to life.

I’ve also been reading some of the writings of Mother Teresa and I felt like she really explained humility well in the book “No Greater Love” (put that on your book list to read!). She says “Do not pursue spectacular deeds. We must deliberately renounce all desires to see the fruit of our labor, doing all we can as best we can, leaving the rest in the hands of God.” Also, “Never bother about people’s opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. The Lord has willed me here where I am. He will offer a solution.” Beautiful…

And more recently I came across a Biblical passage noting, “God is the only judge.” Also, a great nugget to keep in mind when worry or sadness affects you based on someone else’s opinion.

Are others out there struggling with pride? Join me on this journey to become more humble and fully embrace humility. Let’s find joy in our daily work – from sweeping and laundry, to the office and our family – and do it not so someone will comment on a job well done, but because it will please God and is good for our family, ourselves and the world.

Humility is a big area that I feel I need to work on as a future Catholic and an admirer of Benedict’s Rule (a book written hundreds of years ago as a guide for monasteries). St. Benedict even outlines something like seven steps to humility!

I feel myself too wrapped up in self, focused on what do I need/want/feel like at any given moment. It is Christ’s and Catholic teaching to shift the focus to others. Christ was the original “servant leader,” washing the feet of his apostles. Benedict, in fact, instructs monks to welcome all visitors as Christ, washing their feet in a sign of humility.

So, while pondering all this one day, I found a perfect place to put it into practice: the grocery store! It was a busy day, and time and again I started to hurry past someone, only to stop and realize I need not be in such a hurry. Let this other person finish their task and THEN I can go.

How many times did I almost bump into someone going around a corner only to end up in the inevitable “dance” of who goes first? In a practice of humility, I determined to let whomever I bumped into go first. I am not the most important person; let them go.

I also found the opportunity to shine the light of Christ within me to all I saw. Why not smile at your fellow man and share a bit joy? You see so many people in the grocery store; that’s the chance to make everyone’s day just a bit brighter.

And in the parking lot, I determined to be patient, unhurried and defer to others.

Who knew one could learn a lesson in humility at the grocery? But as Benedict teaches, it’s in the little moments that make for a joyful life.

Where have you/can you practice humility?