Erick Erickson's eight stages in life concludes with a looking back and evaluating ourselves. It is a self-evaluation. In doing this we have to be very honest. If not it would serve no useful purpose. You can even do it now. Particular examins exist in most religious disciplines wherein one examines themselves usually on a particular virtue and makes resolutions to be better.

The more general evaluation looks at our lives in a comprehensive way. One would have a sense whether their lives were successful based on the goals and states in life that were chosen. A family oriented choice in life would be evaluated in one way and lead to certain conclusions. One may choose a profession combined with family. One may choose a service oriented position without a family inclusion. The combinations are limitless.

All in all the evaluation would follow along the lines of the criterion raised by Jesus in his parable. Go to it.

Love,
Msgr. McGough