Take Five: On-The-Job Meditations with St. Ignatius

This is a great little book that I keep in my brief case. I can pull it out at work, when I'm stuck in traffic, etc. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to read each meditation but you can ponder them for minutes, hours or days! As a person in recovery (i.e. 12-step program) this makes a great tool since the 12-Step program(s) and The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius that this little gem draws from are so similar! Looking for a new and different approach to the 11th step? Need some help getting started in prayer and meditiation? Pick up this book that you can carry in your brief case, glove compartment, backpack or back pocket! You won't regret it.

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work. However, this doesn't mean we don't have time to be ministers for Christ. Opening your heart to God in the workplace can take your spiritual journey to the next level. Before reading this book I felt like a weekend warrior, volunteering, praying, and attending service only two days out of the week. I didn't allow the ways in which God touched my heart to be present in the workplace. I did what was necessary to earn a living while acting in a professional manner. Unfortunately, I wasn't asking God to lead me through my daily struggles. This book can bring purpose into the routine of daily life. By reminding us to offer up every task the reader can grow closer to God and improve efficiency. St. Ignatius offers theologically sound advice and reflections that will bring deeper meaning to your job in five minutes or less. If I can read mine on the trading floor of a large NY financial firm, there is no reason to be ashamed to pull this out for a few minutes. Coworkers will respect you and maybe take an interest. Bringing Christianity into work is the best solution for the financial crisis and this book is the easiest method I've found.

I really enjoy this little book, the daily reading selections are short enough that the "Take Five" title is very much appropriate. Though my "career" consists of being a stay-at-home mom raising young boys, the meditations are still applicable to my daily life in so many way. In places where the book mentions co-workers it is quite simple to substitute in my husband, children, relatives, neighbors or friends. I find the short meditations to be a great way to start my morning before the chaos of the day begins, and often find myself reflecting back on the mediations throughout the day. I'd highly recommend to anyone wanting to apply St Ignatius' teachings to their daily life.