Some plants are easier to grow than others; cress for example simply requires sprinkling the seeds onto wet kitchen towel and popping onto a sunny window sill. Others like roses, are well-known to be trickier to cultivate.

The same can be said of self-discipline: it’s not easy, and of course, growing it takes patience and perseverance; but there’s always a starting point.

We’d be wise not to yearn for a garden abundant with giant, gloriously scented tea roses; to do so is to compare ourselves with others: those people we observe who seem to be incredibly self-disciplined, – such as in the acting and sporting fraternity.

Instead, we should hone into ourselves, focusing on the areas of our personal habitual ways that we wish to grow self-discipline in. This is assessing the infant rose tree, before it gets planted: the bare bones of us, and what aspects we wish to give our attention to first.

Once we have sprouted a leaf or so, and we keep it watered, then we begin to sustain new habits…

I am very much “work in progress”. I have two tiny leaves of self-discipline, that I’m nurturing. I’m protecting them from the weather of distraction and procrastination. I’m not thinking about the fully blossoming flower yet; nor am I peeking over the fence comparing my “garden” to those of my neighbours.

My “garden” is over-grown: I have many other areas in my lifestyle that require self-discipline, but until my leaves feel established, then I won’t be giving my attention elsewhere. I am merely sharing my starting point with you: –

Exercise – In order to manage my cerebral palsy, and my more challenging mobility issues; I do a minimum of x 15 reps of about 8 different stretching and exercises daily. I’ve been so for a year, and I am far more supple than I ever envisaged that I could be. I have recently started to introduce light weights.

Healthy eating – because I need to keep my weight down, whilst I love confectionery, I only eat it at the weekends. I am midst training my palette to enjoy dark chocolate…

Of course, I am only human, so occasionally I break my self-discipline. But the point is that I am consciously aware of my achievements so far; moreover, how helpful these personal improvements are to my wellbeing. Additionally, you’ll realise that comparing my self-discipline to anyone else’s is not applicable.

Once we become mindful about how personal our self-discipline desires are, we can view the innocuous rose stem with fresh eyes. We can begin to grow it steadily: one leaf at a time.

 

I hope this is helpful.

SUNNY wishes,

Emma x