"Why do you suppose, daughters..."

"...that I have tried, as people say,
to describe the end of the battle
before it has begun
and to point to its reward
by telling you about the blessing
which comes from drinking
of the heavenly source
of this living water?

"I have done this
so that you may not be distressed
at the trials and annoyances of the road,
and may tread it with courage
and not grow weary..."
From The Way of Perfection, Chapter 19
by St. Teresa of Avila