Discipline. n. Training that is expected to produce a specified character or pattern of behavior; especially that which is expected to produce moral or mental improvement. [Latin discipulus, pupil, from discere, to learn.]

Whereas discernment is a purely cognitive function, discipline often involves physical action. Discipline unites with discernment to complete the foundation on which courage and faith are solidly supported.

We all know the excitement of a new relationship, business or job. The new opportunity feels so good, so positive, that you’re all aflutter with promise. With confidence and abounding faith, you know this time will be different. You are on your good behavior, hopefully doing and saying everything “right”, and withholding negative behavior when fear arises.

Then alas, inevitably you or someone else says or does something, or neglects to say or do something that triggers the other. Hope is shaken, perhaps threatened, as memories of past loss erupt then overpower the mind, sinking hope into the all-too-familiar abyss.

What to do? Unsure and insecure, nothing is said. “What’s bothering you,” one asks. “Oh, nothing. Just a lot on my mind…” Or, maybe too much is said, “Who do you think you are??? You can’t tell me what to do!” Promise erodes. Best behavior succumbs to the menacing power of the past. And in time, yet another expectation perishes.

What now of courage? And faith? Without the grounded resolve that discernment and discipline bring, the Primal Union weakens. And with it, courage to venture again, and faith that it ever will… Promise surrenders to the commonplace, attended by daily routine, further weakened by expectations of how “it should be”, plus endless rumination on what was, what wasn’t, and what will never be.

You can live any quality of life you want. You have that right. You can live with neither awareness nor care to the consequences to yourself or anyone else. Yet, what life does this make? What upsets, worries and stresses do you drag along, day after miserable day? What regrets, guilt and shame? What about the cost to your health? What worries arouse you in the night and greet you each new day?

Likewise, you can choose to overcome past resentments and grievances, and ground courage, faith and discernment by evaluating the consequences of every subtle or significant choice, then following through with appropriate action. Follow-through is the discipline that leads to success of every kind. When you read the word “discipline”, do not mistake it for deprivation and toil.

Rather, understand that discipline is a way of being, developed by ever managing your mind, energetic state and behavior to achieve intended results. Ask Olympic medalists about discipline. Ask the also-rans. Ask Celine Dion about the discernment and discipline required to care for her exquisite voice. The unsuccessful will acknowledge it, while the successful laud it.

Discipline develops as you choose to be aware – to discern – what is positive and what is not, and what is negative and what is not. Then, with this understanding, choosing to replace negative perception, strategy, thought and behavior with the wise, caring and ultimately self-honoring. This takes clear intention, indomitable will power and perseverance. This is discipline.

You can focus on the loss of what does not honor you, and see this as toil and deprivation. Or you can focus on the gain because you do what does honor you, and experience this as power incarnate. Either way, without discipline your life is a mere shell of possibility.

When you understand what is beneficial and what is destructive, you are taking responsibility for yourself, and choosing in accordance with your own truth. Look ahead now, to imagine what will likely bring you fulfillment and freedom. Can you achieve it without discipline? No. Absolutely not. Though discipline may initially feel constraining, as you accept its necessity and develop it surely, you become witness to how clearly it paves the passage to freedom. Wouldn’t you rather walk a paved road than a rutted one?

What if the Creator lacked discipline and said, time and again, “I don’t feel like it…” Or, “I don’t care…” The universe would have no order, no foundation, no stability and reliability. We would not exist. We would not have nervous systems that bring excitement, pleasure and joy. You need order, stability and reliability, in order to provide the foundational security and trust absolutely essential for sustained growth and evolution. This establishes discipline as the ultimate act of self-love.

Truthfulnes

Truthfulness. n. The state, quality and condition of: 1. Conformity to knowledge, actuality, fact or logic. 2. Fidelity to an original or standard. 3. Reality; actuality.
[Prehistoric Germanic treww, faithful, steadfast, firm.]

Truth can be yes; truth can be no. It can be maybe or sometimes. Because life changes, truth can instantly change, without notice. No can become yes, yes can become no. You can wonder if it ever was true. And discernment is your guide.

In this multi-dimensional universe of simplicity and ever-greater complexity, there is no one “ultimate truth”. Science consistently makes discoveries that disprove what was accepted. Thus, arguing for truth makes no sense. But you can choose to know your own truth, and to speak and choose from it. You can know how you are affected by situations, attitudes and behaviors – yours and others. You can choose to live in truthfulness and authenticity.

However, as with most of us, you learned to “hold your tongue,” and withhold valuable information that can ultimately protect or improve relationships and circumstances, or deliver results that lead to outstanding achievement. Maybe you learned to distort the truth or lie, in order not to hurt others and protect yourself. And now a habit, you do it without even thinking, impose negative consequences on others, and suffer them yourself.

If you are uncomfortable with truth, and choose falsehood, it indicates that you perceive truth as risky or hazardous. Fearing the consequences of being truthful, you deny, hide and distort your experience and wisdom. Even now as an adult, perhaps you tell “little white lies” or withhold from others because you fear what you might lose if you speak the naked truth.

Still, falsehood can never be trusted because it is founded on fear, fallacy and illusion. Really, is the lie, with its misleading impression, unfounded hope and erroneous trust, actually less menacing than the consequences of truth? I think not. Deception is just a habit developed long ago.

We sometimes hear facts so distorted that the original concern becomes likewise altered and complicated. As a result, we have neither accurate perception or facts with which to intelligently respond. Even our American legal system demands “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” yet in recent years became hopelessly distorted and confused with “plea bargaining” and such.

Only truth is sure.

Only truth can ensure a solid foundation, while deception leaves it as vulnerable as a termite-infested home. Deception undermines the very intention it was devised to achieve. It corrupts the mind, degrades personal and professional relationships, and condemns the quality of life.

It will prevail until you remember that you do have courage, even though you forgot. And knowing that all life is connected, and hence your needs will be met, you can have faith in something sure. Indeed, choosing truth delivers you from a life of erosive subversion. Standing for what is true, with courage, faith, discernment and discipline, you can effectively manage yourself through any consequence.

In all successful relationships, communication is key. You must state your desire to discuss the negative consequences of the situation. Speak respectfully and honorably from your experience, and without criticism, blame or demand. Describe how an attitude, statement, behavior or circumstance affects you. And together, create a mutually-respectful resolution. In this scenario, deception is unneeded.

Do not imagine what you might lose and hence avoid the truth, thereby confining yourself to confusion and fear. Instead, remember the power of courage. Have faith in truth, gently spoken. Remember that discernment and discipline are your allies, and practice, practice, practice respectful, non-judgmental communication. Practice until you develop clarity, grace and ease with all discussions. Remember too, that sometimes, even the most difficult situations are catalysts for an entirely new, trustworthy relationship.

Action speaks truth more firmly than words. To live with integrity, confirm your words with your actions. When you’ve gained more positive experience with truth than pain from falsehood, your temptation to be deceptive transmutes into the laudable virtue of truth.

Only truth upholds. As the German root meaning defines: truth is faithful, steadfast and firm. Truth adds a even more solidarity to the Primal Union.