Just for Today, January 20

If we would use but a little violence upon ourselves in the beginning, we might afterwards do all things with ease and joy. It is hard to leave off our old customs, and harder to go against our own will. But if thou dost not overcome things that are small and light, when wilt thou overcome greater difficulties?

Resist thy inclination in the beginning, and break off the evil habit; lest perhaps by little and little the diifficulty increase upon thee. Oh! if thou were sensible how much peace thou shouldst procure to thyself!
-Bk. I, ch. xi.

I will have thee learn the perfect renunciation of thy­self, according to My wil1, without contradiction and complaint.
-Bk. III, ch. lvi.
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At the first sound of the bell she would lay down her work, or break off a conversation, however interesting. If she were sewing at the time, she would leave the needle in the unfinished stitch. Whilst the bell was ringing, her sister Marie continued writing something she had just told her, and that she herself was afraid of forgetting. The Saint reproved her gently but firmly: "It would be better to lose that and obey the Rule. If you only knew what you are missing!"

-Summarium
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For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.