SleepingOrchid

The Bridge – Discipline – Discipline is the only path to achieving what we want. Nothing is achieved (or appreciated!) without discipline, which only means conforming your behavior to a previously conceived pattern.

DREAMS – What does it mean to you? Your dreams will tell you. Is “discipline” cruel? Do you fear it? Or is it the map to the orderly life of achievement and glory you long for?

You Are Your Best Friend and Best Parent – Nothing works in your life until you learn “delayed gratification” sometimes known as stick-to-itiveness. But first you must experiment with other patterns – some of which – depending on your upbringing – can be hellish so you have THAT to get over with. You will definitely need to harness all your spiritual power to get yourself over the finish line.

Challenge – We need to adapt our discipline constantly to enhance our thriving. But who’s doing the adapting – the Cruel Taskmaster, the Disgusted Lover, the Generous Parent or the Permissive Saint? You contain all these (and they live deep in your psyche) so which will you listen to? Who will you feed? Which has more power? Because that’s the one who will control your future. Start by consulting appealing patterns that have worked for others and blend them to your taste and comfort level. Be aware that we must constantly expand our comfort level. Realize it’s a process; a series of moments. Develop a sophisticated discernment you can trust to guide you. Feedback with a Trusted Other keeps us grounded. Meditation that invites the spirit keeps us centered.

Danger – Feedback loop! We fatally confused discipline with punishment and now we’re too debilitated to escape. Uh oh!

Opportunity – From our dreams we will summon a rescuer. That rescuer is OUR ESSENTIAL SELF. In legends
It may be a “hero”, some fictional or historic figure or even a spirit animal. Try reading evocative folk tales, myths or “fairy stories” right before bed. Fall asleep imagining strengthening muscles – physical, spiritual, emotional – growing inside YOU. YOU are both Jack AND the beanstalk! No giant can stand against you. Even the laziest, cruelest corner of the self collapses to reveal itself as a Tiny Child yarning for effective mothering. We will mother ourselves.

MANTRA –
I WILL