virgin islands scene

Man is born to live and not prepare to live.
-- Boris Pasternak
 

 

Thursday, July 13, 2000

The fruit of discipline

Discipline equates with punishment only when it must imposed on you by someone or something else. When you make the effort to discipline yourself, it is not punishment. It is power. It is effectiveness. It is freedom.

Self discipline opens up a world of choices and opportunities which would not otherwise be available to you. At its most basic, self discipline is the practice of taking actions which are in your own best interest, of following the course you have set for yourself. That is certainly not punishment. In fact, it is extremely rewarding.

Indeed it is an effort to stay disciplined. The world is overflowing with distractions which continue to grow in number and persuasiveness. In the space of each moment, you must refresh and renew your commitment to staying on track. That’s why it is so important that your goals closely match your most treasured desires.

Discipline will produce luscious fruit. Point yourself in a direction from which you cannot be deterred, and the fruit of discipline will be yours.

— Ralph Marston

previousJoy of living       Ask by offeringnext

Copyright ©2000 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.