| Cynicism stated lazily to Discipline, "Why should I? It | | | | Dragon will jump out and his presence challenges you |
| doesn't really matter." | | | | to be true to your standards. He lurks in the |
| Discipline replied, "Ah, but I have the rewards to | | | | shadows surrounding every crowning moment, but if |
| prove that it does." | | | | you take him by the hand and spin him around the |
| "Give me some of those rewards too," Cynicism | | | | dance floor a couple of times until you push past that |
| demanded. | | | | which is at hand, then you become a dance team. |
| "I'm sorry," replied Discipline, "you sneered at | | | | Discipline is a part of every desire you have. If you |
| Integrity, so how can you hope to attain such honor. | | | | want to write a book, learn a foreign language or |
| Furthermore, should you change your ways, it will | | | | lose weight, you will at some point need Discipline to |
| surely mean the death of you." | | | | succeed. Watch out for Cynicism or the "it's not |
| You have only to look upon great works of art, | | | | important" or "it doesn't matter" attitude. For an |
| beautiful performances in dance, sports, gymnastics | | | | example, why do goals like weight loss have such a |
| or any field of endeavor, to realize the Masters | | | | high failure rate? When Cynicism is at work, failure is |
| danced often with the Dragon called Discipline. They | | | | not far behind. It will corrode your progress and |
| wouldn't dream of performing their best without | | | | sabotage your sense that achieving any greatness |
| recounting the lessons they learned together. | | | | matters. Be more conscious about the way you talk |
| Discipline is a system of rules of conduct or methods | | | | to yourself. |
| of practice, synonymous with restraint; a training to | | | | How do we discipline ourselves? |
| improve strength or self-control. Discipline is the | | | | * Choose to not take the easy way out. Go for the |
| showing of integrity by following the rules, even if in | | | | multiple rewards reserved for your disciplined efforts. |
| some cases it would be easier, at least in the short | | | | * Can you do better? - Then do better, but know |
| term, not to follow the rules. | | | | when enough is enough. |
| Have you ever heard a little voice next to you when | | | | * Form the habit. Make it a habit to master yourself. |
| you're trying to do something, and you feel it nudging | | | | Practice. Make yourself do your lessons. |
| you to do a good job? But, because you're tired or | | | | Discipline is a refining fire by which practice, becomes |
| feeling uncomfortable you decide to skimp or take | | | | mastery over ones' life. I know you'll bask in the |
| the easy way out. You know it's not your best and | | | | sunshine of satisfaction after you too, learn to dance |
| sometimes after you finish you know deep down | | | | with your Dragon. Victory over one's self is the |
| inside you could've done better. | | | | greatest victory of all. |
| When you are tempted to take the shortcut, the | | | | |