Friday, June 17, 2011

Self-Discipline

One lesson I learned when young, was that if I had several tasks to perform, to do the one I wanted to do least, first. That way, it was finished, wasn't looming over me casting a long shadow, and everything that came after it felt easy by comparison. ( I always clean the bathroom first.)

I was explaining this to a sponsee, and she brought me up short by exclaiming, "I wouldn't have the self-discipline to do that!" I had to stop to consider - was it self-discipline? I suppose it is, although I think of it more as having found a way that works for me.

We then had a spirited discussion on labelling, and the different feelings which arose when considering "self-discipline" as opposed to "what works for me." She got really excited as she got a glimpse of the possibilities ahead, if she were to just change the way she labels her life. For her, "self-discipline" felt heavy and guilt-producing; "what works for me" felt light and powerful.

She said to me, hands waving, "I'm having one of those things you talk about, those things! You know what I mean, what are they, oh, why can't I remember?"

I asked, "Startling revelations?"

"Yes!"  She sat back in her chair, satisfied, and beamed at me. I beamed back.

She said, "I've wanted one of my own, since the first time I heard you use that term."

I laughed, because that's how it seems to go in sponsorship. It's never the things upon which  I pontificate, which make the connection for someone, it's the chance comment, the offhand remark.

"God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain."
                                William Cowper

3 comments:

  1. I loved reading this post!

    I read, in a book about time management for creative people, a suggestion to do the things you love first, because that will energize you and inspire you for the rest of the day. Also, I find that often gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Doing a difficult task first can sometimes stress me out for the rest of the day, but other times I feel relieved, like you were saying. I guess what works for me is to vary the tasks based on their urgency and how I feel. Thank you for your post!

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  2. New to commenting here. Great post. As a newcomer, the idea of what works/doesn't work for me takes a lot of the shame and judgment out of my normal ways of behaving, allowing me to actually choose to change.

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  3. I do think that God's timing is impeccable. And the closed ears are eventually opened.

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