Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt - Wake Up With Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years

Wake Up with Purpose!

Copyright 2023 by Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM (Sister Jean)

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ISBN 978-1-4003-3351-6 (HC)

ISBN 978-1-4003-3357-8 (Ebook)

ISBN 978-1-4003-3358-5 (Audio)

Digital Edition February 2022 9781400333578

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At my age Im always happy when I wake up.

My alarm clock goes off each morning at 5 a.m. It takes me a couple of seconds to shake off the cobwebs. Then I sit up quickly. If I dont, I might fall back to sleep. Cant let that happenIve got too much to do.

First, though, I say a prayer. I put my feet on the floor and sit on the edge of my bed. Oh, God, thank You for bringing me this day and for letting me serve You once again. I then get myself cleaned and dressed and into my wheelchair. I dont use the chair because Im old. I broke my hip, and then I got shingles. I am hoping the chair is only temporary, but Im not complaining. I know Im blessed to have the chair and the ability to move those wheels, as well as plenty of people who are willing to push me around.

Now that Im clean and settled, I can begin my daily thirty-minute morning meditation. I take out my iPad and open an application from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, where I study my gospel reading for the day. I guess there arent too many 103-year-old nuns using iPads these daysthere arent too many 103-year-old people, periodbut Im pretty comfortable with modern technology. Ive always said, if youre not moving forward, youre going to get left behind real quick. Adaptability is my superpower.

I actually think the iPad is a wonderful way to absorb Scripture. Its light and fits easily into my hands. Beside each reading is a reflection from a theologian, which encapsulates that days section, so I indulge in that text too. It gives me a deeper understanding and appreciation as I read the ancient words.

My reading done, I sit and reflect. When I was studying to be a sister, I learned to set aside time each day to sit quietly and think. Now, if I notice Im distracted, which is natural, I try to get myself back to God. When you have so much on your mind, its easy to be distracted. Were human beings, after all.

Finally, I set aside the iPad and look out the window of my apartment at The Clare, an assisted living facility for senior citizens in downtown Chicago. The city is so peaceful at this early hour. Theres a hotel across the street, and I see lights in the rooms start to come on. I think about the people waking up in those rooms, and I pray that they will find joy on this day the Lord has made. I can see a corner of Lake Michigan peeking out from behind the hotel. I call that my piece of the lake. Sometimes, when the water is nice and calm, I can see sailboats out there. I think about those people on the boats and pray that they will be safe and enjoy their time on the water.

As I continue to pray and meditate, I consider my work for the day. I go over my schedule so I know what I have to look forward to. I try to be as specific as I can at the start, even though I know not everything will go according to what Ive laid out. I reflect on whats going to be good about the day ahead, as well as what Im not looking forward to. Thats okay, though, because I know whatever problems come up, they will get resolved. I trust that God has His plan in place. This adjusts my mindset for the day.

I think we could all be a little happier and more productive if we set aside quiet time, especially at the start of our days. Even five or ten minutes of silent reflection can be enough. I did this for many years as an eighth-grade teacher. I would begin class by asking my students to put their heads down on their desks while I read from the gospel. This calmed them down. At first I did this for five minutes. Eventually I extended it to ten. Then at the end of class we would sit quietly for a few additional minutes so everyone could think about what had been read.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the fifteenth-century Spanish priest who founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, was a great advocate for quiet. He devised a daily Examen prayer to be said during the course of the day. The Examen provides for silent reflections on thanksgiving, petition, review, response, and a prayer for tomorrow. Today millions of Catholics around the world say their Examen at least once a day. There are few rituals that bring me more peace.

Perhaps my favorite place to pray is Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyolas campus. It is a quiet place that is conducive to prayer. Even though many visitors come and go, I experience quiet alone time with God, and I believe that He listens to me as I talk to Him about my friends, my activities, and what I hope to do in my ministry at Loyola.

Other times I like to sit by the lake and enjoy the beauties that God has created and shared with all of us. I thank Him for such gifts.

Along with that time for reflection, I also understand we all need a pat on the back once in a while, including from ourselves. Before I go to sleep each night, I think of all the good things I did that day. That way I know I will wake up happy in the morning. Although, lets face it, at my age Im always happy when I wake up. And when I do, I sit up and start my morning ritual all over again, awash in gratitude that once again God has empowered me to wake up with purpose.

When I turned one hundred years old on August 21, 2019, the city of Chicago and my employer, Loyola University, threw a big party for me. Theres nothing I enjoy more than a big party, especially when Im the guest of honor! One of the local reporters asked our former basketball coach, Porter Moser, how Id lived so long and so happily. Well, Ill tell you, he replied. She has a purpose every day.

I think theres a lot of truth to that. Of course, theres also a lot of luck involved in living this long. Im extremely blessed that Ive never gotten terribly sick or badly hurt. Ive also clearly inherited great DNA. My father lived until he was ninety-five and my two brothers lived until they were seventy-four and ninety years old. I do think having a daily, consistent purpose has kept me not only alive but young and vibrant.

Ive always loved my work because it never feels like work. To this day, I report for work at Loyola University Chicago five days a week. My office sits right in the heart of our student center, so those magnificent young people are constantly popping in and out of my office to ask questions, say hello, or request a selfie. I am the