The Art of Discipline
Following the last post, during this new year I have decided to practice and begin implementing the art of discipline in my life. Many of my close friends and relatives have decided that this is the year to implement discipline, this is the year to be strong and strengthen not only their bodies, but their minds. It is only five days into the year and I will be the first to admit that it is far easier to not be disciplined.
What is discipline? According to my dad, “Discipline is doing something even when you don’t want to,” and according to the dictionary, “to train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.” This can apply to any aspect in anyone’s life: putting your clothes away instead of leaving them on the floor to pile up, doing your homework assignments even though you could still pass the class without those points, or even the harder ones (at least for me): exercising, waking up early, and being financially responsible.
Discipline can also be abstaining from something you want to do, but know is bad for you. This can come in many forms, addiction being the main one. Whether it be a caffeine addiction, a sugar addiction, or something more serious — keeping yourself from doing something you so badly want to partake in takes tremendous mental strength. Stay strong and remember, it is so worth seeing the blessings that will spill into your life when you discipline and strengthen your mind, body, and spirit. Replace the negative with positives! Replace processed sugars with fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Replace caffeine with kombucha and other drinks that help your gut. The positive outcomes and changes will take some time, but once you see and experience them, you will be so proud of the progress you have made. I am proud of you, just in case you haven’t heard that recently.
There’s a concept called the two-minute rule that can introduce discipline to your life in a small way, because if you aren’t disciplined in the small things, you won’t be disciplined in the big things. This two-minute rule states that if the task can be accomplished in two minutes, you must do it right there and then. This includes but is not limited to washing a dish, putting your things where they are supposed to go, making your bed, brushing your teeth, and so on. Personally I think this rule is a practical way to help yourself be even the smallest bit more disciplined in all things.
The key to discipline, though, is mindfulness. Many people go throughout their day simply going through the motions, doing their routines and habits (whether negative ones or positive), and never stop and think about what they are actually doing, or who they are doing it for. The same concept applies: being mindful in the small things will eventually carry over to one being mindful in the big aspects of life. For example, I have always struggled with bad posture, and even though I know that this could have future consequences and be detrimental towards my health, I simply find it much more comfortable to slouch over. I have recently realized that if I am mindful about my posture throughout the day, it will hopefully start to improve. Another example I think more people can relate to is mindful eating. Mindful eating, according to an article I found in a Costco magazine, “means paying full attention to the experience of eating — your thoughts, emotions, sensations, and actions — without judgment. It involves savoring each bite and developing a deeper understanding of your eating habits.” When is the last time you ate a meal by yourself without turning on a show? Without thinking about the tedious list of things you need to finish before the day is over?
All this to say: discipline is hard. Forcing yourself to wake up with the sun, take a cold shower because it is healing to your skin and mind, checking the ingredients on a snack before you consume the whole bag is HARD. It is hard because we make it hard. It is hard because we are obsessed with the comfortable, the instant gratification we have grown so accustomed to. Find stillness in your day, turn on your mind so you can think more fully and use your body to its fullest potential.
You have more power than you think. You are more capable than you think. Change your thinking, change your mindset, change your life.
