We often hear of the unbelievable work ethic of athletes, celebrites, business gurus, etc. Everyone loves a good rags to riches story and the biographies of self made millionaires.
I dont know about many of you, but often I hear these stories and first I am sincerely impressed, but then I am sad that I have nowhere near the work ethic, the drive, the commitment and have achieved nowhere near the level of success, fame, or wealth.
Is discipline innate or can it be developed? Are some people naturally just more disciplined than others? or have some people simply found something that they can be exclusively passionate about. Is it pure discipline that drives an athlete to train or a business man to work tirelessly or is it desire? (for mastery, success, wealth, recognition, wtv)
There are so many self-help books and programs that people seek out to be more motivated and achieve their goals. But I have begun to wonder if perhaps our problem is not so much our discipline but our desire. An individual that is consumed by a single desire or passion will naturally be disciplined in their pursuit. Granted that their desire is greater than all other desires, lingering interests, and pursuits.
Somebody who is passionately in love does not need to be motivated or encouraged. A mother does not need to be taught or told to sacrifice, care for, and protect their baby.
So why do we still see patterns of laziness and apathy in our lives-- even in the pursuit of things we are passionate about? Instead of condemning ourselves for our lack of discipline is it any better to condemn ourselves for lack of passion or lack of love?
Unlike discipline-which is primarily self focused. Love is inherently others-focused. And in fact, the word passion, is derived from the Latin word meaning 'suffer'. (ie the passion of the Christ). Love takes the focus off of ourselves, and gives us the courage to not say no to suffering when it arises (and it will arise in any worthwhile pursuit). This continued choice to seek love and not run from suffering is the path of discipline and the path to success.
Ultimately, our success is not defined by how much we can achieve or how far we can go but in each baby step we take (choosing love, not running from suffering). We start in the little day-to-day things- recognizing what is worth our love and passion and aligning our choices with those things. When obstacles or distractions come, we say no because our eyes are on something greater and better. When suffering or difficulties come because of our pursuit, we say yes because we are looking to the joy that is on the other side of the suffering.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
I dont know about many of you, but often I hear these stories and first I am sincerely impressed, but then I am sad that I have nowhere near the work ethic, the drive, the commitment and have achieved nowhere near the level of success, fame, or wealth.
Is discipline innate or can it be developed? Are some people naturally just more disciplined than others? or have some people simply found something that they can be exclusively passionate about. Is it pure discipline that drives an athlete to train or a business man to work tirelessly or is it desire? (for mastery, success, wealth, recognition, wtv)
There are so many self-help books and programs that people seek out to be more motivated and achieve their goals. But I have begun to wonder if perhaps our problem is not so much our discipline but our desire. An individual that is consumed by a single desire or passion will naturally be disciplined in their pursuit. Granted that their desire is greater than all other desires, lingering interests, and pursuits.
Somebody who is passionately in love does not need to be motivated or encouraged. A mother does not need to be taught or told to sacrifice, care for, and protect their baby.
So why do we still see patterns of laziness and apathy in our lives-- even in the pursuit of things we are passionate about? Instead of condemning ourselves for our lack of discipline is it any better to condemn ourselves for lack of passion or lack of love?
Unlike discipline-which is primarily self focused. Love is inherently others-focused. And in fact, the word passion, is derived from the Latin word meaning 'suffer'. (ie the passion of the Christ). Love takes the focus off of ourselves, and gives us the courage to not say no to suffering when it arises (and it will arise in any worthwhile pursuit). This continued choice to seek love and not run from suffering is the path of discipline and the path to success.
Ultimately, our success is not defined by how much we can achieve or how far we can go but in each baby step we take (choosing love, not running from suffering). We start in the little day-to-day things- recognizing what is worth our love and passion and aligning our choices with those things. When obstacles or distractions come, we say no because our eyes are on something greater and better. When suffering or difficulties come because of our pursuit, we say yes because we are looking to the joy that is on the other side of the suffering.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
