Beginning Simply

I heard from my holy teacher, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Mezhebuz, that all beginnings are difficult; whether in engaging in prayer, or the recitation of the Shema, or any of the mitzvos. Therefore, one should begin in a simple way. One should tell oneself: “I am a simple Jew, just like all the simple Jews. I need to say these words to fulfill the commandment of my Creator.” Just in a simple, small way, and with a broken heart, lowly as the dust. Afterward, G-d will help you come to high levels.

(Komarno Rebbe)