General Information -- Discipline
This week we are exploring the importance of discipline in self-care. This can be an uncomfortable topic. It reminds us that we have to do spiritually healthy practices. That little word “do” can be a big pain in the patooty! We must do things consistently over time if we are going to develop the good habits that help us to be healthy in mind, body, and soul.
We develop some very unhealthy habits in our body, mind, and soul. Those of us who habitually eat unhealthily and ignore regular exercise pay the price in our body. Those of us who habitually “beat ourselves up” with regrets or “pump up” our ego with false humility do great damage to our souls. Those who refuse to learn and think for themselves handicap their mind. These habits have developed over time and few of us intended to be in the shape we are in. We may not believe it is possible to be any other way. And when we hear that we have to discipline our ourselves into doing things that may not be comfortable, we may give up on self-care entirely and just let “nature” take its course.
But good self-care is very much like learning to drive a car, especially a standard shift. It takes practice. The mind has to be able to remember all the rules and make decisions based on the situation. At the same time, the body has to be aware of all the things around the car, monitoring the gauges while pushing on the right pedal at the right time, and turning the steering wheel to stay on the road. All of this has to be done while our soul is screaming, “Don’t kill us!” or “Be careful and don’t scratch the car.”
But when we practice driving, our mind learns to focus on what it needs to at the moment. Practice helps the eyes know where to look and the foot to understand how much pressure to apply. Practice helps the soul to calm down and “enjoy the ride.” It requires a great deal of disciplined practice to develop the muscle memory, the mind memory, and the soul memory to drive well. The same can be said for self-care. If we develop the discipline to practice it well, we will develop a memory in our mind, body, and soul that allows us to live well.
All of the tips that you will read about each week are intended to help your mind, body, or soul learn a new way of healthier living. They may help your mind discover and hold on to insights that resist negative thoughts about yourself or the world. They may help your body become better at relaxing and letting go of the tension that erodes your joy. They may assist your soul in developing the inner eye of gratitude so that find youself surrounded by beauty and blessings of all kinds.
A disciplined approach to Self-Care allows us to reduce our anxiety and provide room for patience to grow. It reminds us that catastrophes seldom happen so that we can develop more resilience to our disappointments. Practiced discipline calms our soul and allows us to resist the stress that comes with a “fight or flight” response.
I invite you to develop a disciplined approach to your self-care. Do what needs to be done, even if the benefits are not felt immediately. Stay with it and soon you will discover that you can not only “drive well” but may actually start “enjoying the ride!”
Bob
We develop some very unhealthy habits in our body, mind, and soul. Those of us who habitually eat unhealthily and ignore regular exercise pay the price in our body. Those of us who habitually “beat ourselves up” with regrets or “pump up” our ego with false humility do great damage to our souls. Those who refuse to learn and think for themselves handicap their mind. These habits have developed over time and few of us intended to be in the shape we are in. We may not believe it is possible to be any other way. And when we hear that we have to discipline our ourselves into doing things that may not be comfortable, we may give up on self-care entirely and just let “nature” take its course.
But good self-care is very much like learning to drive a car, especially a standard shift. It takes practice. The mind has to be able to remember all the rules and make decisions based on the situation. At the same time, the body has to be aware of all the things around the car, monitoring the gauges while pushing on the right pedal at the right time, and turning the steering wheel to stay on the road. All of this has to be done while our soul is screaming, “Don’t kill us!” or “Be careful and don’t scratch the car.”
But when we practice driving, our mind learns to focus on what it needs to at the moment. Practice helps the eyes know where to look and the foot to understand how much pressure to apply. Practice helps the soul to calm down and “enjoy the ride.” It requires a great deal of disciplined practice to develop the muscle memory, the mind memory, and the soul memory to drive well. The same can be said for self-care. If we develop the discipline to practice it well, we will develop a memory in our mind, body, and soul that allows us to live well.
All of the tips that you will read about each week are intended to help your mind, body, or soul learn a new way of healthier living. They may help your mind discover and hold on to insights that resist negative thoughts about yourself or the world. They may help your body become better at relaxing and letting go of the tension that erodes your joy. They may assist your soul in developing the inner eye of gratitude so that find youself surrounded by beauty and blessings of all kinds.
A disciplined approach to Self-Care allows us to reduce our anxiety and provide room for patience to grow. It reminds us that catastrophes seldom happen so that we can develop more resilience to our disappointments. Practiced discipline calms our soul and allows us to resist the stress that comes with a “fight or flight” response.
I invite you to develop a disciplined approach to your self-care. Do what needs to be done, even if the benefits are not felt immediately. Stay with it and soon you will discover that you can not only “drive well” but may actually start “enjoying the ride!”
Bob
Tips -- The Finger Labyrinth
The tip for this week is a simple but very powerful way of developing discipline in your self-care. If you own an iPhone download the iPause App. If you own an Android download the Finger Labyrinth HD App, (There are links to both in the FYI section.)
These Apps provide you with a choice of labyrinths that you can trace with your finger. Like the very ancient practice of walking a Labyrinth, this helps our mind to still the inner chatter and the body to find some quiet time. By using this app throughout the day, you will be able to develop a sense of the power of discipline to amplify the effects of the activity. It will become easier to find that quiet moment as you become more practiced at tracing the labyrinth.
It, like most other exercises, will help you discover that even small changes can reap great benefits when done in a consistent and disciplined manner. After you do this a few times you will be tempted to forget about it. I urge you to STAY WITH IT. Resist the temptation to lay it aside. Within a week you will begin to feel the effects as they accumulate. You should feel it easier to become more centered and focused. You should begin to get a glimmer of the strength of the practiced, firm but gentle hand as you apply yourself to self-care.
Enjoy!
These Apps provide you with a choice of labyrinths that you can trace with your finger. Like the very ancient practice of walking a Labyrinth, this helps our mind to still the inner chatter and the body to find some quiet time. By using this app throughout the day, you will be able to develop a sense of the power of discipline to amplify the effects of the activity. It will become easier to find that quiet moment as you become more practiced at tracing the labyrinth.
It, like most other exercises, will help you discover that even small changes can reap great benefits when done in a consistent and disciplined manner. After you do this a few times you will be tempted to forget about it. I urge you to STAY WITH IT. Resist the temptation to lay it aside. Within a week you will begin to feel the effects as they accumulate. You should feel it easier to become more centered and focused. You should begin to get a glimmer of the strength of the practiced, firm but gentle hand as you apply yourself to self-care.
Enjoy!
RSS Feed