One of the books I have recommended under the Spirituality category in “Books to Read” is Thy Will be Done, a collection of letters from St. Francis de Sales to persons in the world.  If you haven’t “discovered” St. Francis yet, you have a treasure awaiting you.  He was definitely a priest devoted to folks trying to live a life of holiness amidst the stresses of everyday life.  I thought today I would share an excerpt from one of the letters included in this book:

My dear daughter,
      I remember you telling me how much the multiplicity of your affairs weighs on you; and I said to you that it is a good opportunity for acquiring the true and solid virtues.  The multiplicity of affairs is a continual martyrdom, for just as flies cause more pain and irritation to those who travel in summer than the travelling itself does, just so the diversity and the multitude of affairs causes more pain than the weight of these affairs itself.
     . . . Do not lose any occasion, however small it may be, for exercising gentleness of heart toward everyone.  Do not think that you will be able to succeed in your affairs by your own efforts, but only by the assistance of God; and on setting out, consign yourself to His care, believing that He will do that which will be best for you, provided that, on your part, you employ a gentle diligence.  I say “gentle diligence,” because violent diligence spoils the heart and affairs, and is not diligence, but haste and trouble.
     . . . Have patience with everyone, but chiefly with yourself; I mean to say, do not trouble yourself about your imperfections, and always have the courage to lift yourself out of them.  I am well content that you begin again every day: there is no better way to perfect the spiritual life than always to begin again and never to think you have done enough.
     Recommend me to the mercy of God, which I ask to make you abound in His holy love.  Amen.  I am
                             Your most humble servant,
                                          Francis