No. 3,  Difficulty at the Beginning,  Line 1:

"Hesitation and hindrance.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
It furthers one to appoint helpers."

     At the beginning of something new, you may hesitate.  Perhaps you do not yet see clearly where you are headed.  Perhaps you do not feel up to the task that lies before you.

     "The person needs to discover and eliminate the mistaken beliefs he holds about his true nature, which are the hindrances mentioned."  [Anthony and Moog]

     Don't insist on knowing the outcome before you begin, and don't insist on doing everything yourself.  Keep taking those small steps.

No. 3,  Difficulty at the Beginning:

"Difficulty at the beginning works supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Nothing should be undertaken.
It furthers one to appoint helpers."
      
     You are at the very start of something that has the promise of supreme success:   " . . [T]he newly born being possesses a strong and healthy root, gathering an abundance of life force for its growth."  [Huang]

     Times of growth are seldom easy.  "Accept and bear with the discomfort of chaos without attempting to push it away.  Allow it to clear of its own accord."  [Walker]

     This will be a natural process that you shouldn't over-analyze. Look for friends who can help and support you.

     What are you Beginning?

No. 9, The Taming Power of the Small  /  Restraint:

"The Taming Power of the Small 
Has success. 
Dense clouds, no rain from our western region. 

     Take only small steps  now.  There is a restraining force at work that will not allow a great leap forward.

      "We should avoid ambition to make progress as this exerts a negative presure on people. It also indicates that we do not trust our path  . . .  This doubt is communicated to others.  Give people the space they need to discover for themselves where their paths lie."  [Anthony]

     This future of Grace is not an unfavorable situation. Potential - like the moisture in the clouds - is there. Use this time to be prepared to make the most of it, when it does come.

No. 22,  Grace,  Line 5: 

"Grace in the hills and gardens. 
The roll of silk is meager and small. 
Humiliation, but in the end good fortune." 
 
     This line "emphasizes one's true nature," according to Taoist Master Alfred Huang. 
 
     "Hills and gardens" were the home of hermits in ancient China, yet in this line we find "the supreme place of a queen who adorns only with a bundle of silk." 
 
     Do you feel that your efforts are not important or grand enough?  Not so, says the Yi. 
 
     "  . . . your internal desires and sincere feelings of friendliness are all that truly matter.  Your worth will be recognized and you will meet with good fortune."  [Wing]

Tomorrow:  Staying on the "small" path.

No. 22, Grace,  Line 2:

"Lends grace to the beard on his chin."

           You may indulge in some adornment - like growing a fine beard.

     But do not get so caught up in creating a graceful form that you forget or neglect the true content of what you are creating.

     A common example of this would be planning a wedding.  People often spend months, and even years, planning the "perfect" event, while the relationship itself receives little attention.

      "If you pay more attention to the vessel than to what it contains, you will entirely miss the meaning of this moment."  [Wing]

     Tomorrow:  "The roll of silk is meager  . . ."