Discipline

Discipline – an activity, exercise, or regiment that develops or improves a skill; training.

What comes to mind when you hear the word discipline?

I have never been a fan of the word because it always felt so strict or confining.

I settled in for my daily morning meditation a couple of months ago and not far into my time, I heard the word DISCIPLINE.

I was a little surprised to hear that word. First, because I don’t love how I feel when I think about it. Discipline seems hard and rigid. And second, because I feel like I’m disciplined in most areas of my life already. Well, most areas some of the time anyway or some areas most of the time.

After finishing that argument with myself and getting quiet, I heard “Dr. Pepper” and “finances”.

My eyes shot open, and I sat up. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”

For those of you who don’t know me well, I have been a Dr. Pepper lover for most of my life, 45 years for sure. There have been few days in all those years that I haven’t had multiple Dr. Peppers.

I started the day with Dr. Pepper, like some people do with coffee, and counted the hours until my afternoon can of pure joy. In case you still aren’t aware, I LOVE my Dr. Pepper, so for Spirit to call me to be disciplined with one of the joys of life was unthinkable. Can you just see me with my arms tightly crossed, like a three-year-old that didn’t get their way, mean mugging Spirit? That’s what the scene looked like in my head.

After the initial shock wore off, I had to admit that I had tried a couple of times in the past to quit drinking my favorite drink, but the headaches and cravings took me right back to it. How bad could it be, I would ask myself as I listed the many things that could be so much worse.

And…there was often that quiet voice saying, “It would be good to quit drinking soda.”

So, two months, eight days, 10 hours, and 3 minutes ago I had my last Dr. Pepper.

This was only after I had a talk with Spirit, asking for grace and ease in this change. The conversation went more like this:

“If I have to do this, (back to the three-year-old) then I need your help; I need this to be easy, no headaches, or caffeine withdrawals.”

I have to say that I have done well, not many headaches, but sluggish a few times. And… I have changed a habit that I’ve had for 45 years!

We don’t always know why we’re being called to make changes in our lives. That’s where trust comes in.

What changes in your life are you being called to make?

Just know that if you have a thought that keeps nagging you, it might be something you want to look at.

I’ll be sharing more about discipline in my life next week!

When we change the world changes.