DISCIPLINE MONTH: DAY 1: “The person who masters himself through self-control and discipline is truly undefeatable.” — Gautama Buddha
Every year of doing this, I start the month with the conversation about discipline vs. punishment. Most of us have a negative mindset around the word discipline, because we do not know the difference between the two words.
Growing up, when we were spanked (or worse), in the name of “discipline,” we were actually being punished. Because of the misuse of the word discipline, there is a negative feeling about it for many people.
Discipline is the determined, consistent effort to do something, no matter what. When we are disciplined to work Step 10 every day, no matter what, our lives are enhanced beyond measure with a new way of seeing and behaving.
It takes discipline to stick with Step 10, over years and years of time. Not many of us have this kind of discipline. It is certainly a practice we must master over time.
But, we are urged in Step 12 to practice these principles in all our affairs. The reward for doing so is in the quality of life we experience in recovery. Recovery itself is a process, not a destination.
So, being disciplined is what it takes to become a success in every aspect of life, financial, spiritual, physical, etc.
Great books are written one word at a time, great athletes gain skill one hour of practice at a time, the same goes with musicians, artists, etc. Learning to ride a bike, drive a car, walk, run, or cook a gourmet meal are all things that increase in success over time and practice.
All of these things take discipline. The sad thing about our culture today is that there is little reward for those who are able to discipline themselves well. Sticking with something, day in and day out, may not be rewarded so well when another person is given a trophy or prize, just for showing up. The tendency to reward everyone, despite their performance or lack thereof, is a dangerous slope.
It takes away the incentive to strive to better ourselves in a skill or a job or a particular hobby. Whatever it may be, discipline is the tool that brings us the sense of personal fulfillment when we practice it. It is not something imposed on us well by others.
This brings to mind the discipline of a military or police state, where we are forced to comply with standards that are not our own. Most addicts will rebel and decide to defy that authority, just on the principle that they do not want to be told what, how, when or why to do something.
We can be very defiant about recovery, too. But there is NO reward for that. Our resistance brings tremendous pain and trouble to all of us. It always has. But here is where it is life-changing or not. Working Step 10 is a tremendous boost to recovery, because it keeps me straight when I want to avoid being so.
But the path of a spiritual life is just that, straight up. There is no hidden stuff, no secrets, it is pure and clean and I must be so to be on this path. I love that. Simple, pure, and clean. It really is what I always wanted!
Dolphin Hug 