"...as if beginning for the first time..."

"You must never regard any spiritual work as firmly established, and this is especially true of prayer; but always pray as if beginning for the first time. When we do a thing for the first time, we come to it fresh and with a new-born enthusiasm."

It only takes a few surprises to humble me when making a pastoral visit. It didn't take long to realize that the proper mindset is to be empty of self and full of awareness, awareness of the other person and the greater "Other." Every pastoral encounter is a new beginning, a new chance to connect with others and be connected. These few sentences from Theophan the Recluse are in the context of a discussion of prayer, but I think this is wonderful advice: we can expand our preconceptions of prayer and come to our spiritual work new each time.