TAKE small steps at a time. This has been a recurrent advice that we hear from people and read from magazines as we make our New Year’s resolutions. We can’t hurry success or achievement in any endeavor whether it is exercise, diet, studies, work. We’ll have to take everything in stride.
If you’re like me, I used to look for immediate results. I would get impatient with slow progress. But over time, especially after being a pastor for nine years, I learned that one really needs to be patient with one’s self and with other people in the attainment of any growth or success of any personal or community endeavor.
Taking small steps involves diligence, meticulous planning and preparation. Many times, it is the attention to details that makes something elegant and beautiful. Take for example the current painting of my/our church now. I noticed that the workers patiently scraped out the old paint and patched every hole on the surface with cement before painting it. They spent more time on “preparing” and “priming” the building than on “painting” it. The result is a much more magnificent work.
This goes too with our spirituality. We can’t be instant holy or saintly people. We can’t expect ourselves or other people to change right away. We’ll have to take small steps: waking up earlier than usual to spend five minutes of morning prayers; making a short visit to Church after work; engaging in a good and honest Confession, which we may not have done for years; doing a simple volunteer work such as cleaning the church or helping out in a food pantry for the poor. As we accomplish small tasks, we’ll be ready for bigger steps or goals.
Consistency, of course, is a virtue that we need to have as we accomplish small steps. This requires planning of one’s schedule of the day or the week and deciding on priorities. Years ago, my spiritual director taught me to block certain hours during the day on my calendar for personal prayer time, physical fitness, and leisure. I faithfully followed his advice. This involved putting priority on these exercises during the day and preventing people from interfering with them. It worked! I found myself consistently accomplishing these exercises. Consequently, I led a more balanced and tranquil life.
We just need to set our minds to fulfill small steps. This requires discipline, perseverance and optimism. As time goes by, the small steps that we accomplish become parts of our lifestyle; they’re exercises that we can’t live without.
As we begin the year, let’s start with small steps, until we can accomplish bigger ones! Happy New Year and Good Luck on your New Year’s resolutions!
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].