The Check-up

Burritt M. Hiatt

 

For persons who strive religiously to improve the relationship of the forces within themselves, and who seek the development of latent powers, it is valuable to check up their progress with a close friend. This friend might better be one with whom they are not associated daily, but see only every month or two. The value in talking to such a one is that it tests our feeling of having grown. In the conversation we may see that our secret impression of progress was attained by a narrowing of the scope of our interests or responsibilities. We discover that what we thought was increased peace within us may be due to stolidity or to reduced enthusiasm for sharing in the struggles of a worth-while minority.

Also a check-up with a friend may remind us afresh of the unexplored and unattained possibilities of our quest. It enlarges our imagination, refines our capacity for appreciation and encourages us to venture further on into the mystery.