ZenView By Mary Layton
DISCIPLINE
When I was young the word “discipline” had a definite unattractive ring to it.
Something you are ordered to do but don’t want to do. Being a free spirit, I decided it was something to be avoided.
A few years later we were doing drills in a T’ai Chi class, shifting our weight forward and back, first very slowly, then at faster speeds. I remember feeling my legs yelling out to me in pain. But we kept going on for what seemed an eternity. I kept hoping the teacher would stop and give us at least a little break, but he didn’t. The whole class kept going and I realized I could not walk away or escape. Right then I had one of those ‘Aha -experiences’ : Wow, this is about disciplining my wild and lazy mind.
I had never done that before and it suddenly seemed interesting to me. As my mind became more quiet, my muscles relaxed. All of a sudden I felt an enormous strength and energy I never felt before. I guess I had, thanks to my teacher, challenged what I previously thought to be my limit. Discipline had brought me to a new level and expanded my abilities.
Many of us made new year’s resolutions. For those who still find it hard to really ” do it”, take that class or make that change happen, I have this advice: Just do it. And even more important, keep doing it, stay away from excuses. It will pay off big time.
Looking for a class to help change your mind? Go to taichi4modesto,com or call (209) 572-4518
