By Alethea Monk Howard
Angel had always done things naturally and spontaneously and never considered herself disciplined. She could say virtually nothing in her life was of great satisfaction, yet her peers would comment on how disciplined she was. Nevertheless, her life was consistently out of balance, and she was taking no set action to get back on track.
Like most people, Angel had some obvious assets. She was outgoing, had valuable work experience, traveled a lot, was intelligent, and showed great sensitivity and concern for others’ feelings. Physically, she was unusually attractive. However, not one of these positive qualities was getting much attention in Angel’s reflection on her life.
Until now, Angel had never given discipline a welcoming thought. Recently, she decided to take a writing course; realizing how much discipline she’d need to devote herself to this undertaking, she would have to become more paced and settled to accomplish her desires.
Angel had always done things she felt needed, but never to the point of setting a schedule every day to complete them. Now, she knows that discipline is another bridge she will have to cross. It takes determination and willpower to get up and put into action all the things planned within a day, to follow up day by day, hoping eventually it will become a habit.
Angel felt compelled to embark on this challenge. It was exciting, stimulating, and novel. She has become seriously involved in “discipline” and is looking forward to getting started each day. She even recites a poem as she awakens each day.
DISCIPLINE
As I discipline my life today, my mind will not travel far away.
My thoughts are centered from day to day,
Therefore, my goals and accomplishments will not stray,
My life has discipline that is here to stay.
Then, she eagerly sets out to achieve her plans for that day. It had never occurred to her how important discipline could be in one’s life. In the past, it was an unknowing natural state. Now, it’s more of a well-thought-out plan. It has changed Angel’s day-to-day life. She has set time to write, study, read, exercise, and accomplish certain goals within a day. Practicing this daily and weekly gives her a feeling of attainment and maturity.
Angel senses that she is becoming more focused, centered, creative, and alive. She has decided that discipline is a way of being more self-controlled and efficient in all circumstances of one’s life. It has been one of the most worthwhile ventures in her life-she can’t imagine life without it. She can only imagine that if in all our lives we had self-discipline, we would accomplish more in the sum of a day than we ever thought possible!
Conditioning oneself to wake up at a certain time each day to get things done takes practice, as does devoting oneself to a plan until it becomes second nature- a force of habit.
Angel feels that discipline can work in all our lives if we only apply ourselves. It’s what’s been missing in her life. It has given her a sense of freedom; she’s becoming more of who she wants to be. Her outlook on life has changed to make her clearer-minded and to allow a more free-spirited way of living.
She envisions herself on the path of her purpose in life: to enlighten and encourage readers through her writings. A feeling of duty and fulfillment has embraced her. It was a wondrous, glorious sensation of contentment and joy, all wrapped up into one explosion, ready to erupt like a volcano, only pouring out joy and greatness.
Angel has concluded that self-discipline may not work for all of us in the same fashion. Self-discipline is a way of doing things in an orderly way, step by step, each day until you see yourself moving toward attainment. A trained mind leads to accomplishments and success.
There’s a purpose that goes into the journey of self-discipline. When you cross over to discipline, there’s no turning back, only an onward path across the bridge; you will see how far you have come to attaining your goals. It gives a feeling of achievement and joy. You may step backward occasionally, but once you have walked the road of self-discipline, you will want to keep moving forward. It’s an ongoing process that is never finished but only practiced daily.
Commit to a plan, take one day at a time, and be not concerned with the outcome. Keep striving toward your venture, conditioning, and grooming yourself for the preparation at hand; then, you will see the accomplishments you have created through practice and self-discipline.
I AM AN ANGEL
An Angel of wisdom, light, and love, with divine energy flowing from above.
Light shining bright in the shape of a crescent moon delight,
From my eyes with such great sight, as a diamond beaming in the night.
Love is flowing through every cell, reaching out to all with all thy might.
The resounding faith… calling of spirit…drifting like the clouds.
Flowing like water’s of the river.
Shining light, even when no one is around, is quiet and has no sound.
Showing integrity in unseen space,
To bring us all to a place of glorifying all there is within the spark of the Divine.
Taking flight, blowing of the trumpet into the cosmos day and night.
Behold all is Love and Light!
Alethea Monk Howard
