I just found out the “why” this morning:
Humility is an essential attitude for success in the spiritual life. Any self-conceit is an obstacle on the path.
The reason I took this sabbatical appears to be upon me.
Up until today, I’d been working on the “how” – see below:
I’m attempting a month of humility:
Humility simply requires a man to think of his abilities and his actions as no greater, and no lesser, than they really are. Real humility then mandates that a man knows and is completely honest with himself.
The “what” is Step Seven. This entire month’s been a sub-set exploration of these words: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Working the how for the what is all well and good; in fact, it’s crucial to keep motoring ahead when there’s no reason. Do whatever it takes, especially when it doesn’t seem to make sense. And more importantly, when it doesn’t seem to be working.
I want to do Step Seven to my satisfaction – I need to feel that I’m being honest and humble with my request. But with my head, 100% conviction is 100% impossible. Sharp slivers of doubt dig their way down, doing just enough to unsettle me.
But to expect 100% conviction is a self-conceit, correct? Obstacle on the path! As long as my request is as earnest as I can make it – we’ll run with that. In the meantime…
Mission For Today: Be on the lookout for wrong-sizedness in all its forms. Celebrate those around me and give thanks.