Discipline leads to freedom

I was working with a client the other day and the feeling of freedom came up for her as a  developed emotional aversion. This means that at some point in her life her ego made a rule that she can’t have or experience freedom or doesn’t deserve to have or experience freedom.  It got me thinking about a retreat center I went to over a decade ago. In the middle of the retreat center was a horse pasture with just one horse in it. It was probably only a couple square acres, but plenty of land for an old horse who didn’t seem to want to run around much. I spent all of my solitude and prayer time that weekend looking out at the horse. Obviously in the deepest of contemplation, but I couldn’t help but observe him. He only ever seemed to follow and graze along the edge of the fence that contained him. In an indirect way, that horse taught me a lot about how I’ve been approaching the freedoms in my life. I had been focused on the borders, rules and limitations that confined me. Not the free and safe space provided for me. The fence had provided a safe space for this horse. It kept wolves, coyotes and mountain lions out as well as kept the horse from wandering off into the nearby interstate. Sure, the horse was confined, but he never appreciated the full freedom that was offered to him. He only grazed along the borders. 

As a young man, I was interested in pushing borders, which in all honesty is probably an important part of development. However, I often failed to appreciate the freedoms I had. And I certainly failed to appreciate the protection and safety that the rules enforced by family, school, society and religion gifted me as I learned more about myself and the world. The rules were there to guide me as I learned from experience what was in my best interest. As I’ve grown, so have my borders, but I’m still learning to appreciate and explore the freedoms I currently possess. I still tend to focus on the walls that confine me. I still have much to learn.  

Lieutenant commander Jocko Willink, an author and a speaker I follow,  says that, “discipline equals freedom.” Or at least it is the path to it, anyway. Discipline drives daily execution and removes excuses. You can’t easily control motivation. It falters with your emotions. In a certain way you are actually subject to it. But discipline is under your control. Freedom to me is being able to choose your own life. Motivation falters, but discipline is a choice. Choose to take care of what is yours to care for. This starts with your body, your thoughts, your heart and your soul. I believe this is a recipe to experiencing a freedom I’ve maybe only caught a glimpse of. 

So stay humble. Take pride in doing the work right in front of you. Do what is needed to be done. 

Take ownership of everything. No excuses, no blame. No wandering along the borders of your pasture thinking, “If only I didn’t have this fence in my way.” Lead your own life. Focus on the freedom you have.