DISCIPLINE MONTH: DAY 1: “True freedom is impossible without a mind made free by discipline.”― Mortimer J. Adler
Because Freedom month just passed, I wanted to use this quote as my transition. To have discipline and perform a daily 10th Step is the goal.
Not all of us are going to ever achieve this, but I have been doing better with regular adherence as the years go by.
Because I am relatively steadfast in my practice with the steps, I find that there are fewer times when I need to do a full 4th through 9th Steps. Step 10 is the one I go to when something immediate comes up. Sometimes I need to write out a bit about my feelings, and consider that a quick 4th Step. Then, I will do the rest between there and Step 9.
Other times, I can make a quick adjustment to my attitude on the spot or shortly thereafter. It all depends on the day and the situation. If it is a recurring situation, I certainly go through the whole process.
Each day, I do what I was taught in the early days. “Mean Allene” taught me to “read 86, 87 and 88 and answer all the questions out loud.” I may miss a day here and there, but I am fairly well-disciplined with this. Especially if I find myself balled up about something.
Two things often do this for me; Men and money, or, as my friend used to say…”Our problems are always either pink or green.” Haha!
So, no matter which steps I choose to perform to get through my “icky-sticky” situations, the discipline is there. That feeling comes up, you know the one. And I do what I have been taught. After years of practice, I find it comes up pretty quickly and the process is right there. I seldom even think about it. But this is the way I maintain the freedom I find in the first 9 steps. With discipline. I love it!
