DISCIPLINE MONTH: DAY 13: “Discipline is our calibration system that tames the wilderness of our will into responsible behavior.” ― Joseph Rain
Yeah, the wilderness of my will is also the wildness of my will…when I view the outcome of getting my way and doing whatever I want. I have tried this, even sober, and been astonished at how much crazy my will can create.
And how much dissatisfaction and pain as well. I love the discipline I have in my life. It has never failed to keep me afloat when I think life is picking on me. Because, you know, of course, that I am so important that life is all about ME…right?
Blessing is that I can see that now. And I can see where every single time, it is of my own making. That, too, is in the book. I am not accepting something that needs to be deeply and completely accepted. That is ALL of life, everything! Oh yeah!
So, step 10 is all about keeping my lane of the street clear so I can navigate my life on a spiritual plane. That means cleaning up and amending behaviors as they occur. I was sharing a story the other day and realized that there was some real energy attached to the story and someone in it.
I was shocked to realize that there was some residual stuff in that story, almost 15 years later. Wow! I am amazed at how long some of this takes. I immediately sat down and did a mini-inventory on it when I got home. There was nothing for me to clean up with this person, but it felt good to get him off my back.
I get to see how we are ruled by those who have had some kind of power in our lives, especially when it is for the good.
When I do the daily readings 86, 87 and 88 and write my notes about things I have felt and done that day, I often find that there are people who have done lovely things to or for me that day. I put a note to send them a thank you card for that action. I sometimes call and do it, but I frequently mail cards to people, just because I love getting mail like that and I believe it is a lost art. This is a big part of my gratitude practice. (Next month! Woohoo! Can’t wait!)
But I get to do a quick process of clean up when I find something that is off the radar of my regular inventories. I really like the idea of keeping my life clean. Energy flows through it when there is no impediment to the flow. This means that good energy flows, along with anything that might be considered bad or negative energy.
The holding onto of resentments and anger is a killer kind of energy to save up inside our bodies. It keeps us unhealthy and tied to old behaviors. We MUST let these things go. They are the toxic fuel that drives the car of self-will. I only justify bad behavior when I am focused on what an a—hole someone else is being or has been.
Letting ME off the hook usually lets YOU off the hook and vice-versa. When I focus on my own stuff and my little lane, I am off your back and my scrutiny of others is done. Yay! So, today I am sticking to my lane, letting my Wild Will Hickock… (LOL…just made THAT one up!) remain out of the fray, and it should be a pretty easy and smooth day. I look forward to it!
Dolphin Hug 