Self-Discipline is Self-Compassion

My friend,

Happy October and Happy Sunday — Corridors of Curiosity 007 (Bond, James Bond) starts now:

As the world shifts to instant gratification routines, it is increasingly tougher to maintain discipline towards a meaningful life.

Our brain + mind is programmed by the actions we take.

Our brain + mind is also programmed by the actions we avoid.

If we program our brains to look for comfort when we face adversity, then we will have that response when dealing with even the smallest difficulties.

So — if I find stress relief in unhealthy foods, every time I get stressed, I will look for unhealthy foods to ease my stress. Works for a little bit (maybe a couple of hours) and then the voices of self-hatred start screaming.

It is a vicious cycle. Many people are stuck in this loop.

Numbing yourself with drugs, scrolling, and unhealthy foods is not self-compassion.

That is not the answer — this is not true self-compassion.

That is simply numbing the pain. That is self-destruction.

And we don’t even notice until we feel the pain of regret.

The answer to increasing self-compassion is increasing self-discipline.

True self-compassion is being able to look yourself dead in the eyes and know that you have been pursuing your dreams and goals with effort and tenacity — or being able to call yourself out on your BS!

True self-compassion is putting in the real work — in your relationships, your mental health, and your physical and spiritual experience all require actually facing your demons.

True self-compassion is charging ahead in the face of adversity and fear — because we know that is where our dreams reside.

Self-discipline is not a punishment.

You have self-discipline because you love yourself and those around you.

You show yourself compassion by doing things that are healthy, meaningful, and enlightening.

So — when I walked into the grocery store. My first thought was to grab a treat for myself because I had a moderately rough day.

I walk in — see the cheesecakes and immediately get excited.

Then I give myself a couple of seconds to think about the consequences of smashing that cheesecake — I decide I would rather not because I love myself enough to have the discipline to resist the temptations (this is verbatim what I told myself when in my cheesecake daze.)

The pain of not getting the cheesecake is sharp, but the reward for self-discipline is increased levels of self-compassion.

You will love yourself more when your actions match your goals.

You will find yourself being proud of the choices you are making.

You will become the person you want to become.

Now, investing energy into your self-discipline doesn't mean you hate yourself when you are undisciplined, it just means you know how to regain your form and boost your self-compassion score.

Once we have unlocked basic self-compassion, we can continue to push ourselves in our disciplined pursuit of greatness.

This is not a linear path. This is not an easy path. This is not a quick fix.

Self-discipline is a life skill. This skill allows for deeper levels of self-compassion.

I am just now scratching the surface — and my self-love is slowly increasing.

When your self-compassion is low, turn up the self-discipline.

Approach the Unknown with Order, Commitment, and Passionate Intention.

The sure sign of an amateur is he has a million plans and they all start tomorrow.

The sure sign of a professional is clear. There are no grand gestures, no announcements, no excuses.

The amateur & professional both experience doubt + fear of failure.

The difference is — the professional acts & lives as a professional in all situations.

The professional trusts the mystery. He knows the Muse always delivers. She might surprise him. She may give him something he never expected.

Approach the Unknown with Order, Commitment, and Passionate Intention.

Inspired by the great author - Steven Pressfield.

Parils’ Top Five List

Top 5 Cartoons

1. Tom & Jerry

2. Ed, Edd, and Eddy

3. Scooby-Doo!

4. Samurai Jack

5. Pokémon