Incline to the Difficult

St. John of the Cross

Endeavor to be inclined always:

not to the easiest but to the most difficult;

not to the most delightful, but to the most distasteful;

not to the most gratifying, but to the less pleasant;

not to what means rest for you, but to hard work;

not to the consoling, but to the unconsoling;

not to the most, but to the least;

not to the highest and most precious,

but to the lowest and most despised;

not to wanting something,

but to wanting nothing.

Ascent of Mount Carmel