The Results of Self Discipline Part 5

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons…” — Jim Rohn

If you want to change the world, do not be afraid of the Circuses.

In Navy Seal training, should you not ‘measure up’ to the standards of the long runs, the long swims, the obstacle courses and the hours of calisthenics, they would ‘invite’ you to a Circus. This was TWO HOURS of additional calisthenics designed to wear you down, break your spirit, and get you to quit by ringing the bell, as you will later learn. If you were invited to a Circus because you didn’t measure up you would be subjected to additional hours of fatigue. What this meant was the following day, more than likely, would be more difficult and possibly causing one to attend more Circuses.

To those constantly on the list, that chose not to quit, they became stronger and stronger. The pain turned into inner strength and built physical resiliency. They developed inner strength and tenacity. They grew in self-determination and confidence.

The lesson to be learned was this: life is filled with circuses or, stated another way, times when your mettle will be tested. This is when you and those around you will find out that from which you were made. On top of this you will fail often, and when you do, you will be required to go through the same test again and again, until you get it right. The testing of your mettle, will be painful.

I am sure that you, like me, have had many additional circuses in life. Times when you were sure you couldn’t go on. You were convinced there was no more in you and thus you had no more to give. You wanted to give up and quit. But then perhaps, you found a little extra in you that allowed you to get up the next morning and get back on the track. You may have faced the death of a spouse, child, parent, close relative or dear friend. You may have faced the failure of a business, a marriage, or the loss of your savings or retirement.

At the time, it obviously seemed like the end of the world. You were sure you didn’t have it in you to start all over, bear another child, replace a parent or sibling, replenish your savings or retirement…or at least that is what you thought. But something inside you nudged you to keep going. Something inside you pushed you onward.

What was being taught in the Circuses and what we are being taught in life is to STAY WITH IT. Be tenacious and muster up the courage to face these circuses, for when you do not give up, you will find yourself in the winner’s circle again and again. But rest assured, as long as you stay on a path of growth to become all you can be, you will have more Circuses and your response to each will determine how your tomorrows turn out. Just know there is more inside of you than you think. There is more to help you metamorphose into the butterfly you were meant to be. Don’t fear these tests, welcome them and your life will change for the better.

Next Part 6

Best of LUCK as you
Labor Under Correct Knowledge…

Respectfully,

Rick Cox