Following the previous post, “Why You Need Self Discipline”, I would like to clarify several points, since it seems that are some misunderstandings of what self discipline is.

Some people believe that self discipline means being austere, severe and harsh on yourself and toward others. This is completely untrue! You can possess self discipline, and yet be loving, kind, considerate, open-minded and full of joy.

Self discipline is not some sort of senseless limitation that you put on yourself.

It is not an act of limiting your freedom of choice. On the contrary, doing whatever you feel like doing is not freedom at all. Acting on a whim, doing whatever you feel like doing at the moment is lack of freedom of choice, because this means acting in response to subconscious programming, and in reaction to external situations. It means that other people’s thoughts, words and actions move you to action, and not your judgment and common sense. This behavior doesn’t lead to inner and spiritual freedom.

The self discipline I am talking about is not a state of being cold, harsh, limited and conservative, as has been construed in various societies. It has nothing to do with self undoing, senseless suppression, bottling up feelings, being narrow-minded or lacking of freedom. It is a process in which your higher nature decides what to do and how to act. It is a power which everyone can develop to a greater or lesser degree.

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Why do you need self discipline? What can it do for you, and is it worth the effort of developing it?

Here are a few reasons why you need self discipline:

1. Self-discipline builds inner strength, character and stability.

2. It helps you control appetite, impatience, anger and instinctive reactions.

3. It enables you to resist all kinds of unnecessary temptations, such as overeating, watching too much TV, gossiping, gambling or taking unnecessary risks.

4. Possessing self discipline enhances considerably your chances of achieving success in whatever you do.

5. All the good things in life need time to grow and yield fruit, which means you need tolerance, patience and persistence, all of which are the by-product of self discipline. This ability can help you in business, at work, in study, in sport, in meditation and in everything else.

6. People nowadays want instant results and instant gratification, but this is not always possible. People who excel in their chosen field usually study, make experiments, make mistakes and learn from them. They often prepare and train themselves, sometimes even for years, such as in sports for example. If they lacked discipline, which supplies inner strength and patience, they would have given up in the early stages.

7. A person with a disciplined mind controls what he/she says, and can therefore keep good relationships with other people.

8. A self disciplined person usually commands respect from other people, and doesn’t easily feel hurt or insulted by what people say or do.

9. A self disciplined person has more control over his/her thoughts and reactions.

10. With this ability it is easier to go through life and achieve goals.

This list can go on and on…

More about developing self discipline
Full duidance and exercises
 

When do you wake up in the morning?
Do you wake up early or late?

If you usually wake up late, try waking up and getting up early in the morning for several days. Not just wake up, but get out of your bed and wash your face.

You will discover that the early morning hours are so peaceful, beautiful and relaxing. It is so peaceful outside and inside the house.

There is such a pleasant quietude. No kids yelling, no cars and trucks, no loud noises and no errands to run. You have time completely for yourself, which you can use to meditate, think, read, write, walk or do anything you like, with no one to disturb or distract you.

It is a time to enjoy the peace before starting your day.

It is a time you can enjoy peace and some free time for yourself, doing what you love doing.

You will find the morning peace so pleasant and relaxing, but it will also supply you with energy for the day ahead.

You can also arrange your time so that you can eat breakfast and drink a cup of coffee, quietly, and with no rush.

Soaking yourself with the peace and quietude of the morning will affect your entire day, making you more focused, alive, happy, kind and peaceful. 

When you get up early you enjoy the morning peace and have some free time for yourself! 

Want to enjoy more peace in your life? Read Peace of Mind in Daily Life.
 

“When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”
- Alexander Graham Bell -

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one, which has been opened for us.”
- Helen Keller -

These two quotes are so true! Read them again, they both say:

When one door closes another door opens.

People are too often attached to the past, to what they are familiar with, and therefore miss opportunities that stand right in front of them. Doors may close, but there are always unlimited numbers of doors – new opportunities. The world is full of opportunities, if we could only see them. The Infinite Power is infinite, and so the possibilities are without number.

Not every plan works out, there are losses and failures, there are problems in relationships, loss of money or job, sometimes unpleasant things happen. We don’t always have control over these happenings, but we can exercise control over our attention and attitude. When one of these things happens and we focus our attention on the loss – the closed door, we see only a closed door with the resultant frustration and unhappiness, but if we could only move our sight and attention away from the closed door, we might be surprised to discover a row of open new doors.

It might not be so easy to move our eyes elsewhere due various reasons, such as attachment to the old and familiar, and fear of the new and the unknown.

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