DISCIPLINE MONTH: DAY 1: “Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.” ―Thucydides
Discipline is a tough word for so many folks. It resonates with most of us as “punishment”; but they are quite different things. Too often it is misused and then becomes related to being punished, so we dislike the idea of discipline.
Removing it from the realm of punishment is important. We ALL need discipline, but not punishment. The importance of discipline is in that it trains us to do the thing that is most often going to benefit us, as well as the world around us.
Recovery asks us to discipline our minds by doing things contrary to what addiction demands. We learn to go to meetings, even when we don’t want to. We learn to call others even when we know we won’t like what they say. We learn to work steps when we know they don’t have the answers we are seeking. We learn to “let go and let God” when we are absolutely convinced it is never going to work out and that God has neglected us horribly in the past and will continue to do so forever.
We learn to “live and let live” when we want to hate others whom we believe are the source of our pain and we may not like what they are doing. We learn to walk through our constant fears to have lives that are absolutely not anything like what we could ever have created without 12 steps. We learn to look out for others and be of service when we are full of fear and self-pity.
We learn to have the discipline and fortitude to move past early recovery into deeper practice of the principles of the program so that we may continue to receive those blessings and grace that have colored our lives since day 1.
We learn to do the writing, the therapy, the self-care and self-examination that are part and parcel of being in recovery and not relapse.
We learn to thank the Universe every day for the gifts of ALL of these things; no matter what kind of weather is going on outdoors, no matter what kind of relationship (or lack thereof) we are involved in, no matter what kind of job (or lack thereof) we are employed at, no matter where we live, no matter how we feel, no matter what story we have about life that day, no matter what is going on with others around us.
We learn to look at our own lives, our behaviors, our attitudes, our growth (or lack thereof) and do what is indicated next to walk the Red Road, because we have been given the grace of having one! We learn to accept life as it unfolds, knowing that we are in the presence of something more beautiful than all of our combined efforts could ever have produced.
We learn to have some sense of dignity, of integrity, of respect and worthiness, because we are NOT using others without regard for their dignity, respect or worthiness. We learn to accept our mistakes and move on. We learn to live as members of a society that wanted us locked up not so long ago. We learn to have the kinds of discipline that make us proud to be alive and happy and grateful to be able to receive and use the gifts we did nothing to deserve. If we don’t… we all know that story.
Dolphin Hug 