HAVING A LITTLE IS A STARTING POINT
I guess I grew up at a time and place where there was not many kids with substantial means to get anything they wanted. Oh yeah, there were a few but the vast majority of us in our small town in Iowa were very familiar with hard work to even have food on our tables and clothes on our backs. We deferred to our parents for the big ticket items like cars and houses. But, if I wanted anything I had to figure out how to get it. Often times I had to obtain the things I needed by means that were anything but honest. But this is a conversation for another day. Suffice it to say that attaining anything was biblically monumental.
SELF-MASTERY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE ARE THE CORNERSTONES TO BUILD ON
I, and almost anybody else, has to develop a method of effort to get life’s essentials. After these lessons have been learned we then must develop a plan to attain the bigger and grander things that we seek. Enter the term, “SELF-DISCIPLINE.” My favorite description of “SELF-DISCIPLINE” IS “SELF-MASTERY.” Before we can apply ‘SELF-DISCIPLINE” to accomplish something outside ourselves in the world we must first develop “SELF-MASTERY” which is being able to discipline our thoughts, emotions, hormones, desires and urges. If we cannot master ourselves by disciplining our temptations and impulses we sure won’t be able to accomplish anything outside of ourselves. In the New Testament it says, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Cor. 10:5) . This simple verse illustrates just how disciplined we have to be in our personal lives in order to keep us thinking right. Another great quote is: “A Man who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers a thousand men in battle.”……Buddha. I fact it is a maxim written in the hearts of all men. As Lou Holtz said, “Without Self-Discipline, Success is Impossible, Period!”
BODYBUILDING REQUIRES BOTH SELF-MASTERY AND SELF-DISCIPLINE
In the world of bodybuilding where my passion resides, nothing will ever be accomplished unless we first have “SELF-MASTERY” and then “SELF-DISCIPLINE” to attain that which we seek.
We have to decide that we want to be a bodybuilder (or anything else for that matter) and be about the business of becoming that Champion no matter how long it takes or how hard the journey is. Bodybuilding, is a daily challenge to stay on track, to be moving toward the goals set before us. Each morning my day begins with food, supplements, a review of the day’s training. Then training begins. This is where the lessons of “SELF-MASTERY” merge with those of “SELF-DISCIPLINE.” We know ourselves and what it’s going to take to win. At this point also we must decide to stick to the process to its ultimate end. Go hard after the prize and do not let up.
MY FUTURE
This year (2018) has been good in that all my personal efforts have resulted in my best showing of my career. I really wish I could have cracked the top 5 at the Nationals in Pittsburgh but no matter the result, I know this was my best show ever. I am now poised to do even better this year as I hunker down and do the hard work. I’ll keep you posted.
JUSTIN DEES
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BLAME NO ONE ELSE
My Coach Justin Dees caught me complaining after the Nationals when I began criticizing those who finished ahead of me. Ouch! Justin retorted, “Stop being critical of everybody else. That’s a losers talk. What you have to figure out is how those guys finished ahead of you and beat you.” Once again! Ouch! My “SELF-MASTERY” since then has given way to “SELF-DISCIPLINE” as I prepare for the next few shows. All effort is focused on improvement. No more talking about others and their flaws and the unfairness of things. My vector is onward with no looking to the right or to the left.
In closing let me admonish you/me to develop “SELF-MASTERY and “SELF-DISCIPLINE” which will take us to the victory circle. Blame nobody and take care of your own stuff because nobody else is going to do it for you. Best of luck to us all!
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 