The two D's

Hey guys,

I hope you had an awesome week!

Remember that article I wrote last time about 'Maktub', and about believing that there are truly some things that we have no control over?

I've figured something else out, that is kind of on a similar vein. And it's about Discipline.

On face value, Discipline and Destiny are hardly two words you imagine together in a sentence, right?

But since I recently started work again, I've realised how deeply important and correlated these two 'D-words' really are.

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For four months late last year, I took a break from everything, and every morning I decided what I would do each day. Within a week,  I tired of the lack of structure, and I decided to turn everything I wanted to achieve in my 4 months off, into a routine. So I built up this amazing daily routine, that consisted of waking up on the right note, meditating, affirmations, exercise, healthy and portion-controlled eating, 8 cups of water, vitamin tablets, etc.

Then I found a job. And my system suddenly jolted and said - "but wait, what happens to all those things I did before, that really meant a lot to me?". Good point system, good point.

So this time, I was determined that I would maintain 'work-life balance' - that I wouldn't let the 8 hours I spent at work, dictate how I felt about the day. And to keep positive and motivated about every day, I needed to maintain that awesome routine I had set up.

It was really hard the first few weeks. I had to force myself to wake up an hour early to meditate. I had to spend a solid 10 minutes every night logically explaining to myself why I needed to 'reflect' on the day.

And then I noticed something.

Every time I caved in and didn't do something that was on my routine, I felt horrible. But why? So what if I didn't exercise this morning? So what if I didn't take my vitamins? Big deal!

Well actually, yeah, it is a big deal. Because every time I lacked the discipline to do something I knew was in my best interests, I felt like fundamentally Life was that little bit more out of my control.

Then I realised - discipline gave me control of ME. Because that really is all I can control. I can't decide what happens to me, but I can decide how I behave and how I react - which in turn determines my character.

When I lack the discipline to do something, I am in a sense, relinquishing what little control I do have, over the most important determinant of happiness in my life - Myself. And it sends signals to my mind that I don't value myself enough to do something that means so much to me. This goes to the next level of how our mind works - beyond what we tell ourselves, and into how we act.

So if I truly want to become the Best Me, then I need to do more than tell myself that. I need to prove to myself that I am willing to sacrifice 2 minutes of comfort, to put in the hard work now and invest in myself for the long-term.

                                                 


Every time I have stuck to my routine, more than anything else, I have felt like I am in control. On those days, no matter what the day threw at me, I felt I could get through it.

So then, discipline is more than our parents coming into our room at 6 am and yelling at us to wake up. It is about control. It is about feeling powerful within the domain of our Life that we do have a say in - our Self. It's kind of like, if our boat is strong and steadfast, it can weather through anything the ocean throws at it. The ocean part being 'Maktub'. And more often than not, it takes us where we need to be, beyond our realm of control.

I remember reading somewhere, that the most successful people in the world, who lead unpredictable and exciting lives, come back home to a routine. It is how they gain a sense of control and strength. That article now makes so much sense to me.  

Destiny expands for those who are courageous and committed enough to expand themselves. So the next time you want to procrastinate on the things that really do matter to you, make yourself remember the 2 D's and RECLAIM your power over your Self.

Hardcore workouts, here we come!

Til' next time,
A.

MAKTUB

Hey guys,

I've missed writing my heart out over the last week! So I'm really glad to be back.

This week, I feel like writing about something a bit more abstract - the concept of 'Destiny' and 'Choice'.

I've had a lot of moments over the last 2 weeks, that have made me stand back in awe, as I realised how limited my power was over the outcome of certain events; and how interconnected all the little moments and meetings have been, to bring me to where I am now.

Over the last couple of months, I felt like every 'chance' meeting I had with a friend had a deeper purpose; and every intentional meeting, had a even bigger message for me to listen to.

And it gets even creepier - even the thoughts I think, sometimes feel like they've been put there to make me do something, or to instigate an action that will eventually produce an outcome that I was 'meant' to go through.

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Examples -

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I 'randomly' chose to travel to Vietnam at the end of last year. Even I cannot explain to you why I chose to just pack my bags on such short notice and go on a trip, nor can I explain why I chose that country (its beauty notwithstanding). I felt a strong urge to go there, and I did....

And, it was one of the best trips of my Life. I learnt things there and met just the right sort of people on my tour there, that eventually enabled me to build a stronger level of 'street smartness', a renewed level of confidence in myself and my decision-making, and an strong sense of  'I'm just going to be myself no matter what people think'......

And ever since I got back, I've noticed that I've become a much more open and gutsier person. Which in turn led to me starting this blog, again on a whim. Because at that moment, I felt like it. This blog, has taught me things that have changed me forever....

But more importantly, it has helped me to connect with people on a whole new level, and some precious friendships have formed as a result. As I explore these friendships, I realise I have a role to play in their lives as they strive to build organisations and reach for their goals, and they have a certain role to play in mine.....

I met up with one such friend, and he introduced me to a fascinating self-development course. I ended up going to one night of that course, and there I met some amazing people, including the speaker, who made me realise that perhaps a lot of the disagreements I was having with my parents, were a result of my own obstinacy and internal prejudices.....

So I went home that week and I worked on arguing less with my parents, and seeing things from their point of view. As I did that, I realised what their concerns were about me, and started to see them as people, not just 'parents'. As a result, I took my Dad for a walk one evening and had an honest talk....

From that talk, I understood why my parents wanted me to find a job before I left overseas to study, and I decided to apply for one position, just one more time. On this last attempt, I found a contract role. And already, I've found a friend there, who says I have entered her life at just the right time....

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And it goes on - like a perfectly painted series of strokes that build into a larger picture.

Why did I choose to go to Vietnam? Circumstances had built up at that point, and suddenly that urge entered my mind, and it seemed right at that moment.

So now the big question - how much of this, and how much of my Life is a consequence of my free will, and my personal choices, and how much of it is really part of a greater, epic plan?

Do I think all my thoughts, or are certain thoughts and inclinations 'implanted' within me, to set me on the path that I was destined to walk? Is there such thing as a coincidence, or is every meeting, every moment, every brush with a stranger, even every glance where our eyes meet with someone on the street - is all of this already written, with a purpose?

As I write this, I remember a heated debate I had with another friend on the same topic. I argued that our passions ultimately show us what our purpose is in life and in the world, and that everyone is 'born to do something'. He argued that we choose our passions, and we choose how much we are willing to put into achieving our goals - and it is solely our choices that create our future.

As much as I wanted to agree, I found myself referring back to that concept of 'Maktub', mentioned in the Alchemist (A must read!!). That everything is written in a deep place beyond our grasp and our limited understanding. And the more I grow, the more I believe every choice or decision I make leads me to a pre-written destiny.

Or it could even work like this - maybe our choices determine which prewritten path we are going to travel? Like I think some of us consciously choose not to chase after certain dreams. And in doing this, are these people exercising their choice and free will and creating a new destiny for themselves, or is that decision not to pursue a goal, also predetermined?

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Wow, my head is getting seriously warped just reading this.

But the real question here I guess, is, why does it matter?

It matters to me, because believing that everything is interconnected and pre-destined, gives me a sense of deep Peace. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people think that believing in Destiny means not believing in yourself and your own power.
I argue that it is in fact the opposite- I believe in myself, as a small part of a greater whole, a greater whole which has designed a limitless Life for me. I believe I am a part of that whole, and that greatness is a part of me, and you and everyone else.
Every decision I make, which is in line with my truest Heart desires and my gut instinct (this is the important part here), leads me towards an ultimate destiny that has been drawn out for me by the part of me that is limitless.

So having faith in my gut instinct, and believing in myself completely, and then leaving the outcome of events up to 'Destiny' - that keeps me centred. That makes me realise that I have the power to make a choice to put in 100% determination and my absolute best into every task I perform. I have the power to choose to be courageous and go with my gut instinct even when it is really really hard. And then, the results of that task or action, enter a sphere where I have no influence. So then whatever happens, I will try to accept - I'll tell myself it was meant to happen, to teach me something and move me towards realising my ultimate potential and Destiny.

 

But more than anything else, when I sit back and consider how perfectly things fall into place, it makes me appreciate the beauty of Life.

I know I know, it's a bit airy-fairy, quite abstract, and probably to a lot of people, absolute rubbish.

But I'm keen on hearing YOUR views on this topic. In no way do I think my perspective on this is the only way, or the right way. It is simply what works best for me - for now. 

So what about you? Are you reading this post now, because you chose to, or because you were brought here to? Did you stumble upon it quite by chance? Or is there a message in here that was meant to reach you?

Til' next time guys!

Peace & Love,

A.