Beginning Daily

This is the mark of Christianity — however much a man toils, and however many righteousnesses he performs, to feel that he has done nothing, and in fasting to say, “This is not fasting,” and in praying, “This is not prayer,” and in perseverance at prayer, “I have shown no perseverance; I am only just beginning to practice and to take pains”; and even if he is righteous before God, he should say, “I am not righteous, not I; I do not take pains, but only make a beginning every day.” ~St. Macarius the Great

"so, this would be my version of St. Macarius' excerpt:

However much I avoid toil, and however many righteousnesses I neglect to perform, I feel I have done a great abundance of work. In forgetting to fast I find ways to say "I have fasted" and in neglecting to pray I find ways to say "this too is prayer" and in lack of prayer to feel I have shown perserverance; "So long ago have I begun to practice that I now excel!" And even when I am not righteous in any way before God, somewhere in my heart I hear myself say "I am righteous; I have taken many pains," though I know I have yet to make a real beginning at all." ~John Hurley (my stepson)