“Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to do so you can do what you really want to do.” Jeff Fisher
Since 2012, instead of resolutions, I choose a word to focus on throughout the year. When I chose Jesus in 2020, I hoped I hadn’t reduced Him and His name to a tradition. The opposite happened when the world shut down and I faced unexpected personal challenges. I was grateful for the reminder to keep my focus on Him.
By December, I had filled two notebooks full of Jesus whispers, Jesus moments, and Jesus miracles. I never expected to claim last year as my best, but since it was, I planned to keep Jesus as my word for 2021.
But God had another idea and a different word. About the time I settled into my plan, I noticed the word “discipline” showed up in every book, sermon, interview, and conversation. I ignored it as long as I could, which you probably guessed by now since it’s February 19th.
The evening I heard a favorite speaker repeat again and again and again the word “discipline,” I wanted to smack him and yell, “Enough already. I heard you.”
He struck a nerve. I knew if I wanted to serve others with my writing and one day have a published book, I had to write. Because I’d gotten lazy, I was ditching my destiny.
Tim McGraw, music artist and author of Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life, talked about discipline in an interview with Kelly Clarkson. I told you the word showed up everywhere. He said, “We think of discipline as this cage you put yourself in as you decide to apply discipline to your life. What I’ve discovered is that discipline opens the door to the cage that you’re in.”
I’m discovering the same thing.
I’d love for you to share your word for 2021 and why you chose it. I’d also love to hear any thoughts about discipline.
In This Together,
Kim
I have always felt discipline was a way to get your mind in the right direction , but I now believe it’ also encompasses both mind and body . When they both work in unison, you can accomplish even greater things . And I’m reminded of the 12 “Disciples “and how the teachings from Jesus disciplined them for the greater things to come.
My word for 2021 is accountability, only I am responsible for my actions , be it positive or negative. With the right discipline I can attain hard to reach goals in my life. It’s an ongoing process with my heart and mind.
I so appreciate your comment, Perry!
The disciples … yes. I have friends who do word searches and I’ve started to get into that practice. I’m going to look up disciples. If I write a blog post titled Disciples Disciplined (’cause I also like alliteration 🤩), I’ll dedicate it to you. And now I’m wondering why the disciples didn’t come to mind when I was writing this blog post. I actually think my pastor mentioned the connection in a recent sermon … I’m really thinking on this “out loud.” lol
Accountability – great word. To me, it sounds scary like discipline because we have to be responsible, like you said, we have to do something, and we have to grow up more. Sometimes I don’t think I can handle all that until y’all comment and I know I’m not alone.
Thanks. ❤️
From Facebook ~
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Discipline Myself? Oh heck no! I’m old enough to say, “Thank You but NO thank you!” 🙃
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, I get it! 🤣 I’ve been saying that for way too long, but my attitude (and God) finally caught up with me. I’ll have to tell you the whole story. 😳
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Kim Henson well, we’ve not talked to count it as ‘talking’ since week before Santa!
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, I know. We’re way overdue.
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Kim Henson I can’t wait! Maybe we need to eat at 3!Smile!
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, we might need to go early. A lot of catching up to do. lol 😃
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Gayle Sloan
Resilience: look up the definition & you’ll know why. 😘
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Kim Henson
Gayle Sloan, I love it! I didn’t realize how much I enjoy looking up words until I read your comment and jumped right on it. lol 😃 Perfect word after coming through 2020. #perfect I hope we’re all back together soon at our WES lunches. I’ve missed you… See More
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Gayle Sloan
Kim Henson me too! Mark & I have appts to get our 1st COVID vaccine shot on Tues. 23rd. So…… hopefully we can get out and about more sometime in April.🤗
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Kim Henson
Gayle Sloan, great news. I hope so too. ❤
Jo Rae Johnson Jetton
Hope. Because we all need more.
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Kim Henson
Jo Rae Johnson Jetton, great word. We do all need more of it. ❤
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