15 Mar Freedom, Discipline – and Daily Practice
In my late 50’s I start to value structure – and discipline.
Being a free spirit, discipline is not one of my strengths, and growing up in Switzerland did not help, either.
By the time I was 23 I had to break out. Lifelong commitment was not on my list of things to do.
Instead, I went on a spiritual journey. Focused on consciousness.
Learnt a lot about myself.
Went where life took me – first to India, then all the way to Australia. A life of adventure – I fully intend to continue.
However there is a danger with so much freedom. A danger to do nothing. To be lazy.
Let me explain. Being free is not the same as aimless drifting.
With drifting, life becomes empty.
We need meaning and purpose to be able to live a happy and fulfilled life. To feel truly free
How do I maintain this? I’ve always maintained visions and goals – and I have achieved things.
That said, with discipline not being one of my strengths, I had to find other ways.
So, in the past when I wanted to achieve something I would create ridiculous external deadlines and pressure. It somehow worked, but over time was simply not sustainable.
So, the long-term solution is to create structure yourself, and learn self-discipline. Being free does not mean an absence of structure or discipline.
The key difference is that you choose the when and how.
To create, produce and achieve, you must have a certain level of discipline. Satisfaction and, dare I say, happiness will be the result.
So, in my late 50’s I am starting to value structure and discipline, and I would like to share with you what helps me to get there.
The key is to start with a daily practice.
For me, this is meditating first thing in the morning.
It doesn’t matter what you do, however. Other examples are cycling, walking, running, cleaning, cooking, writing, drawing,
The important thing is you focus on something that nourishes and sustains you first thing in the morning – and do it consciously.
It doesn’t matter what you do
Bring awareness to it
Be present with it
Do it with totality
Make it a habit
Set a timer
Make it your own
Adapt it to your own needs
It doesn’t matter how good you are
It really helps doing a practice every day – keep doing it until it becomes routine. They say, that if you do something consistently for 21 days, it becomes a habit.
The next step to is to create and follow a structure for the producing part of your day.
Need some help with creating this? Get in touch with me.
With Love
Preeti