The Daily Examen was posted in my diocesan newspaper some time last year using the acronym GRACE.
G= Gratitude. Give thanks to God. It is a time when I log 3 good things that have happened during the day. The only thing needed is a steno. This helps increase optimism by focusing on the positive rather than the negative. If you have children, they can develop the habit by saying or drawing 3 good things as part of their nightly ritual. They say them, you write them, or give them their own little diary to draw in. The idea is to develop a positive attitude toward life, and take our mind off the negative.
R= Review of the day. Both positives and negatives. A little of that was done for the gratitude log. So, yes their is some overlap. I like to think about the Genesis Story and how God reflected at the end of each day of Creation. He saw what He had made and saw that it was good. Of course, we as human see also our flaws, our sins, and misgivings,
A=Action. What is my plan of action for the next day. This is the time to take out the calendar and plan the calendar. To make the To-Do list, etc. What is your resolution for the day? Ben Franklin had a virtue that he worked on each week. The examination of conscience in my Roman missal talks about selecting a resolution of the day. What change do I want to make? Is there somebody I need to forgive? It can be worked into your action plan for the day, scheduled into your calendar. Mine basically says, Morning prayer followed by breakfast. Yes, I’m going to try to get the dishes cleaned, and make my bed. I schedule my time time to swim at the YMCA.
–The plan of Action will be reviewed in the morning.
C=Contrition/Commitment. This is the time to pray the Act of Contrition or Psalm 51.
" Give me a clean heart O, Lord, and cleanse me from all my iniquities." which I like to pray during my evening shower/bath.
E=Exultation. The examen ends with praising God.
Before entering into Compline, the last of the Hour of the Liturgy of the Hours.
This positive approach sets up the morning routine.
1)Invocation-- If you do not care for my soul, it is useless that another should do so. [Ps. 121:1]
2} Foresight. Preview Day. Check Calendar. Preview day.
3)Plan of Action–esp. how to handle difficulty. For me that would include checking the weather. I take the bus, commute times have to be taken into consideration. Check traffic reports, etc. Clothes have already been laid out from previous night’s planning (Daily examen). Bed is made, etc. This is also incorporated into morning prayer.
4)Resolution: To obey God’s will.
5) Recommendation: I commend to , O gracious Lord, my soul, my life, my memory, my understanding, and my will. Grant that in and with all things, I may serve you, love you, please you, and honor you forever. [Ps3:6, Luke 23;42)
Integration of evening examen with morning routine on a very practical basis.
