Prayer for myself often takes the form of imagining myself climbing up a ladder out of a pit, the pit being my current circumstances of poverty and homelessness. Getting out at the top represents a return to the normal life of the American mainstream. I didn’t start with a ladder in there, but I decided to add one to symbolize the various structures and tools that others have made available to me — and eliminate the possibility of clawing at loose earth.
Here begins a list of “rungs” on the ladder that I’ve become aware I need to “overcome.” Each one takes effort, exertion, to get over. I will update this list from time to time as I learn of others.1.Fear of the unknown. See From my diary: Learning to pray.2.Jealousy of others who seem to be prospering more quickly than I am. Details here.3.Times of despair. I guess, from time to time, they’ll happen. Details here.4.Incidents of utter selfishness. Details here.5.Moments of unusual hardship and sacrifice. Details here.6.Cut loose the losers. Details here.7.Smoking. See posts tagged “Smoking”.8.Shame. See “(3) Baby steps.”9.Attributions of arrogance, selfishness and greed. Details here.10.Others’ well-intentioned but misguided prayers. Details here.
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