I won’t break.
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Self-Discipline
“Self-discipline starts with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you can’t control what you do.” Napoleon Hill
It has to be trained and that right there is where most of us fail miserably. It is also an art form that has to be told to “heel” when necessary and that’s where the problem comes in. We live in a world where instant gratification is of the utmost importance so throwing self-discipline out the window is easy enough to do and dealing with the consequences is often met with a shrug of the shoulders and a “so what” attitude.
What is self-discipline? According to markcperna.com, it is the “ability to tell ourselves “no” when we feel or want something that our reason tells us is not what’s best right now.”
It could be in the form of saying “no” to an extra slice of cheesecake and yes I still have that fetish, to jumping into bed with someone knowing full well that is the wrong thing to do. One to a lesser degree than the other but we are willing to turn a blind eye and do it anyway. Self-discipline is becoming a lost skill in this instant gratification society of ours and that is the sad truth.
“Without self-discipline, success is impossible. PERIOD.” Lou Holtz
It is a principle that if applied religiously makes your dreams come true. Waking up earlier to do an extra half-hour of exercise, meditation, yoga, whatever is to your liking will get you on the path to achieving that stellar “new” you. Learning to say “NO!” to things that don’t serve you will teach you that if you say it enough it becomes easier to do. This takes practice and especially for me because saying “no” is hard because I am way too accommodating and at times a pushover when it comes to saying no but I am learning.
Another word for it is willpower but whichever word you use, it is the ability to say “NO” when you know doing otherwise is to your detriment. Since it is a learned behavior, you need to learn to master it and to rewire your mindset
Here are some ways to implement self-discipline practices everyday according to medium.com.
They suggest that you stay active when it comes to discipline. Do what you need to do and don’t get distracted. Stick to what you need to get done each day. This is called an Active Discipline method.
The next is the Reactive Discipline tactic. Control your thoughts or behavior when dealing with unforeseen situations. Treat yourself with kindness but know what is right and wrong.
Do things in advance to better manage a situation. If you know it is going to rain, bring an umbrella. Create a to do list or go to bed on time. Keep temptation at a minumum or as the phrase goes, “do not step into the lion’s den” because you know will happen if you do. This last one is called the Proactive Discipline strategy.
However, the quote below says it better:
“Don’t stand in front of the cookie (cheesecake) with your eyes glued to it.” Unknown
It’s a practice and as with every new goal you have to work towards it. It doesn’t just happen once and you’re done with it. It is a constant which requires full-minded focus but the rewards are worth it. You become more adapt at time management, you become mentally stronger, it helps you to overcome laziness and procrastination, and you build better relationships showing more empathy and love. People with higher self-discipline are more trustworthy and likable as well.
What’s not to like? Set it in motion because no self-discipline means no success.
Have an amazing day.
Karma Awaits Patiently
Karma doesn’t come with fire, it comes with silence.
It doesn’t lash out in rage or seek revenge,
It waits. Patient, steady, unseen. It lets you build your life, fall in love with ease, believe you’ve escaped the weight of your choices. And then, just when you begin to feel safe, it takes back what was never truly earned.
Not to punish, but to remind you;
Every action echoes. Nothing stays buried forever.
MindJournal
My answer to this question is an unequivocal YES! There are those who do wrong and not only knowingly but with malice and they walk away into the sunset so to speak with no consequences whatsoever or so they think but I believe that karma is a potent force, it watches, it abides, and when you least expect it, it strikes.
I’ve seen it happen many times over. One person had everything going for him, a happy home, a wife he loved, and a life he loved living. This went on for many years until “karma” decided it was time and with one fell swoop, it was gone. He wondered what happened but in his pain, he forgot about the wrong he had done to someone close to him.
Every action has a consequence and it is what we forget when we choose to do wrong.
Law Of Karma
“You cannot cheat destiny,
By hurting honest souls.
Every action finds its owner,
No matter how time rolls.”
Unknown
Yes, I do believe in Karma is my answer to this question.
Do you believe in karma?
View all responses
Your Hand in Mine
I move forward with your hand in mine and you go before me so I have nothing to fear Lord.
The Search for Happiness (Archives)
A man asked Gautama Buddha, “I want happiness.”
Buddha said, First remove, “I” that’s EGO, then remove , “WANT,” that’s DESIRE. See now you are left with only, “HAPPINESS.”
Is it really that simple to find happiness? Okay, I can give this method a try BUT I find that when I remove “EGO” and “WANT,” there is something else glaring me in the face! It is, “WHAT NOW?!!!”
According to Buddhist wisdom, there are 5 steps to happiness. They are:
SMILE MORE
WORRY LESS
BE PRESENT
GIVE MORE
EXPECT LESS
I believe in the smiling more part. No problems there. Worrying less is almost a no go with me. Being present, I am working on. Giving more…..it is a work in progress and expecting less always gets me in trouble. Basically, I’m not quite there yet. Finding that happiness path that is.
What else?
“A disciplined mind brings happiness.”
Oh Gawd! This is even worse. Tell that “monkey” I call my mind to take orders and you’ll see what I mean! Marching on to the next happiness mantra.
“Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are….
It solely relies on what you think.”
WHAT?!!! I give up!
No more searching for happiness wisdom today. I’ll do it my way. The sun is shining and I’m going to slip into my flip-flops, go to the garden and let the sun warm my face. I’ll listen to the birdsong to calm my mind and let happiness seep in. Sorry Buddha but maybe next time around.
There will be no more thinking, no more telling my mind to do something it doesn’t want to do and I’ll just let the day go as it wants to. How’s that for a happiness mantra?
Have an amazing day.
I Write About What I Like
There is no method to the madness. I basically write about my experiences, things I am interested in, posts that might help someone else who is in the same boat as I am, and just about anything that catches my fancy at the moment and hope that people would be interested in what I have to say and in my life as well.
Most of my writing is about trying to help someone else. I’ve lived through some tough stuff and I am still standing. It took work to get to where I’m at so when I write I hope that the person reading it will walk away with something they can use from my writings to get them on the way and to a better way of doing things. There is always light at the end of the dark tunnel so to speak.
Some days I write about what has been bugging me and there are plenty of those things! On other days, it is about looking for love and sometimes in the wrong places and what I’m doing to get to a better place there too. Sometimes I am in a lighter mood and then it is about laughter. It happens more often than you think. I have this funny bone that never quits. I do dabble in politics but not as much as I used to. It is a mishmash of things and it seems people like reading about what I put out there. So I must be doing something right.
There is no rhyme or reason, I write about whatever I like and that’s about it. If you read it, that is completely up to you BUT I hope you do.
You Are My Strength
Simply beautiful.
Right the Ship
Nothing more needs to be said except DO THE RIGHT THING!
The Danger Zone
It happened when I threw caution to the winds and decided to let loose just a little. It was spontaneity of the reckless kind. I was at a point in my life when I wanted to be someone different. Perhaps, I wanted to see how the other side lived. Having towed the line all my life, I decided that it was time to take a little risk. I didn’t know at the time that it was a big one!
I can’t recall exactly when it happened but it was a long time ago. I met this Brit and he seemed nice. He invited me to come to the UK and to spend some days there. I decided to do just that. After all, it was the new me and “spontaneous” was my middle name at the time. I hopped on a plane, got off at Gatwick Airport I think but I’m not sure. He was there waiting all 6′ 3″ of him. Yes, he was tall! We hugged and then it was a long drive to his place. Yes, I was taking it all the way! He offered that I stay at his place during my visit and I accepted, however in separate bedrooms.
Things started out just fine, we talked, went for a walk, and enjoyed the time together. Evening rolled around and we went out to dinner. It was nice but I can’t remember where we went. We came back to his place and he put on some music and invited me to dance. Well, I wouldn’t call it dancing, we just moved to the music and then the mood changed. The kissing started and the next thing I knew I was pinned on the couch and with him on top of me! I tried pushing but he was a big guy. I mumbled, “no.” Still he kept on. I knew I was in trouble, big trouble. I mustered my courage from within and PUSHED and shouted, “NO! I said NO!” Luckily for me, he was not looking for a one-night stand. He wanted more so he stopped.
I rushed into the bedroom and shut the door behind me and barricaded myself in there. Staying there the rest of the night, I called the airline to book a return flight. I wanted out of there as quickly as I could. They had a flight the day after and I took it. The next morning, I came out of the room and he was there making breakfast. A full-on English breakfast with the works including homemade bread. We ate in silence and then he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I nodded thankful that I had escaped unscathed and it could have gone the other way.
We spent the day going to places of interest but the mood was subdued and I just wanted to leave. I recall we were at a park along a shopping street and we were passing a jewelry store and he said, “Let’s go in.” There were some pretty pieces and he picked a beautiful blue Topaz pendant with a necklace and asked if they had matching earrings. Of course, they had! They wanted to make a sale and I was really hesitant and said, “I don’t need them.” But he insisted and bought me the pieces. We left the store and I was on high alert. I wondered what he had in store for me next. Turned out he was trying to make up for what happened the night before. The rest of the day and night were uneventful and I left the next morning and he drove me to the airport, we hugged and he said, “We’ll be in touch.”
I still have the necklace and earrings but I have never worn them. Every time I look at them, it reminds me of a time when I was not only spontaneous but DUMB as well! I have never done something that stupid again but that’s not to say that I haven’t been in similar situations but nothing that dangerous.
“The best times in life are usually random, unplanned and completely spontaneous.” Unknown
True, but before you decide to throw caution to the winds, know that you may not be as lucky as I was! Assess the risks and go from there.
What happened to the guy? We kept in touch but I clammed up and it went nowhere. That was the end of that. It was a lesson in spontaneity that will remain with me for the rest of my life.
One More Mile of Faith and Hope
I’m walking in faith and hope and I know I will be ok.
