I'm beginning a new blog to greet the new year, and I'll start with a short reflection on the word "discipline," a word that becomes increasingly important to many people as they head into New Year's and start making resolutions. For me, resolutions never, ever work if I understand them to be stern self-commands to "be more disciplined" in my life. That is, unless I define 'discipline' very carefully. The word is related to the word 'disciple,' which signifies the role of a student, or a follower. That means that if I adopt a discipline, say, of going to the gym five times a week, it's because I want to follow that regimen as a student. (I'm not sure I want to do that, I should say. Maybe four times a week??)
But I certainly want to intensify my physical-health studies in the new year. I have a gym membership--which means I am wealthy, I know--and I haven't been lousy at it. I've gone quite a bit in 2010. But I can tell when I'm not following it. I can tell when I'm not serious about it. My hope this year is to set aside four pieces of time each week to breathe, get quiet, go to the gym, and listen to what my working body has to say.
More soon on how those pieces fit into my larger Rule!
