Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

I completed a meeting in Kansas City, Kansas and boarded my flight back to Milwaukee. Unfortunately, I finished my book, The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington, by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. I highly recommend this book. I learned much from the read and truly appreciated how blessed we were in our fragile beginnings as a new nation. Now, I needed something to read. I checked the compartment in front of my seat, opened the American Way Magazine, and paged my way through the various advertisements and tourist attractions. To my surprise, an article caught my attention: “Inspire Yourself by Following this Simple Principle” by Sanyika, a motivational coach.

The author presented his case that millions of people have suffered from a shutdown in our COVID-19 pandemic society. This shutdown has led to the creation of bad habits. We have become more sedentary; it effected our eating patterns. Those with underdeveloped social skills before the pandemic now experience a sense of isolation from family and friends.

Every challenge presents an opportunity and now we have the opportunity to inspire ourselves to exercise more, to express gratitude for our relationships with family and friends and to invest in a fund for a personal celebration. This is easier said than done. However, the author offers a formula: 21/90. According to the author, it takes 21 days of daily action to change a habit and 90 days of commitment to create a lifestyle.

Habit can be so ingrained in us that we are not even conscious of the actions we take. A priest friend of mine was a chain-smoker. He went to a professional hypnotist in order to adjust his behavior and cravings. It seemed to work for the next week because his need for cigarettes ceased. During the second smoking-free week, he was at the breakfast table with other priests and one of them asked him why he placed an ashtray next to his plate before he sat down. Shocked, he realized that it was an unconscious action that had become a daily habit.

Our mothers and teachers would often tell us to build those good habits and avoid those bad habits that take away from our personal dignity. Exercising, gratitude for relationships and investing for fun are certainly good patterns to develop in life. However, I might offer that coming out of the pandemic we might add the development of some spiritual habits.  For 21 days, pray the rosary (if you already pray the rosary chose another short prayer), read a brief biography of a saint and intentionally and consciously do an act of kindness (i.e., compliment someone, offer a cup of coffee or assist in the carrying of packages etc.). Remember, it takes 21 days to create a habit, but 90 days to create a lifestyle.

The pandemic has changed our lifestyles, but it has not deprived us of the ability to adjust our behavior and develop good habits. Now we must set our minds in accomplishing our goals and establishing a lifestyle in which our actions express that we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the June 8, 2021 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.