Dear Friends,
I recently came across a quote from Joseph M. Marshall III, a Lakota teacher, historian, and storyteller, that resonates with our exploration of effort and energy in practice. In his book Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance, he writes:
… the difference between a small effort and no effort can be gigantic… lack of effort, doing nothing, accomplishes nothing. It is the absence of hope, and it empowers the problem. Lack of effort is also self-betrayal. When we do nothing, we become our own worst enemy… no matter how useless we think it would be in the face of overwhelming odds to take one more step, we must. The least that can happen is that seemingly useless effort can inspire yet another step. And if we can take one step, no matter how slow or no matter how small, chances are we can take another. Eventually one of those steps will make the difference…
Quote found here https://susansbooksandgifts.com/accepting-pain-hardship/difficult-times-keep-going-the-art-of-perseverance-by-joseph-marshall
This teaching highlights the importance of wise effort. Even small, intentional actions, such as letting go of judgment, turning toward kindness, or gently redirecting the mind, can loosen the grip of unwholesome states and create space for clarity and ease. Wise effort is not about forcing or striving but finding the balance between letting go of harmful patterns and nurturing wholesome qualities.
How do you notice the balance in your practice? Are there small steps or efforts you’ve taken that have helped you release negativity or align with your intentions? I would love to hear your reflections.
With good wishes,
Andrea
Thank you Andrea for these teachings. This morning I chose to walk to my haircut appointment (couple of blocks) instead of starting my car. One tiny step for the planet, 2200 steps for me:-) It’s good to be reminded that even the smallest action can have a ripple effect and that a mindful effort no matter how small moves us along the path.
Thank you for sharing this. I appreciate this example of mindful effort in action–both for the planet and for you. It’s inspiring to see how even small, intentional choices can create ripples of positive impact and support the journey along the path.
Small efforts that help me include being careful about what I feed my heart and mind.. what I watch and read and how much time I give screens… such an endless stream of choices for sure.lNot sure if this qualifies for small efforts ).
What a great example! Being mindful of what we feed our hearts and minds is such a powerful practice. Those small efforts, in the midst of an endless stream, have a profound impact on our well-being and clarity.
This teaching applies to so much of my internal and external daily life , from meditating 5 min. if i just can’t seem to fit in more, to tasks I don’t want to do, wise speech, and on and on it goes. Thanks so much for this great quote.
Thank you for sharing! It’s wonderful to hear how this teaching resonates with so many aspects of your daily life, from meditation to wise speech and beyond. Those small steps, like a five-minute sit or tackling a task you’d rather avoid, are such meaningful expressions of effort and intention. I’m glad the quote spoke to you.