It is by default that I apply myself, for as I grow older, there seems to be no more horrifying fate than to have faded away with a mouthful of empty, dusty promises about how I was going to do better the next day.

How do you come to trust yourself?  By attempting what seems right, again and again, and upon failing, gleaning wisdom from that failure with brutally honest investigation.  There is little room for big talk or empty promises.  Strategy and application are always required. 

I have found that in most cases, my choice boils down to the discomfort of discipline—or if I give into my cravings—the anguish of suffering.

That discipline that infuriates you?  That nettles your mind and makes you feel like screaming in rage?  If you endure it, then you will become more flexible, and more able to endure your cravings.  

So the choice becomes simple:  the initial rankling that comes from discipline, or the eternal powerlessness that arises from craving.

Everyone at point “a” wants to be at point “z” (desired state).  But who wants to exhibit the discipline, humility, and sacrifice to navigate points b through y?  Not only that, but luck is needed as well.  There is no guarantee of success; the only guarantee is grinding, exacting effort.  

But is there any other choice?  In the end, how could you NOT view this challenge as awesomely exhilarating?  😉

The world is layered with traps—ones that use the control mechanisms of instant gratification and immediate discomfort.  To avoid these traps, it is necessary to utilize training and discipline.

We must train ourselves to be proactive agents, rather than reactive beasts.

One of the most powerful forms of faith is to be the person that deserves everything you dream of, day in and day out, regardless of whether you get what you want or not.

Ironically, I have noticed that many of those who act precious about the “outer” have a tendency to neglect the “inner,”—to neglect discipline and wallow in unproductiveness.  

While it is fine (and oftentimes essential) to keep one’s environment tidy, it must never be at the expense of personal capability.

I see the end of my life kinda like the end of my day:  do I look at myself and feel satisfied with my effort?  Or do I leave the field with regrets and misgivings?  The cool thing is that choice is continually given to us—every second, every moment, every INSTANT.  There are two things that will never be in doubt:  The inevitability of failure…

And the certainty of opportunity.

I feel that it’s important to constantly try and pare myself down—to know myself at my deepest levels.  Because if at my core I am an all-powerful, all-knowing being, then why fret over a bit of self-exploration and discipline?  

When you consider what those practices yield, the choice becomes easy.