What matters most is the actions we take. Continuous application of the tools of recovery changes us.
Living Purely, Chapter 7, “Awakenings”
“My parents made sacrifices to send me away to a school when I was a child. They had reached their limits and were hoping that this school could teach me some discipline,” shared one member. "They said it would build character. It hardened me, all right, and made me even more of a rebel. It would be a long time before I saw discipline and morals in a positive light again. But here I am, grateful that my rebelliousness has led me here. NA gave me what my upbringing and education could not give me. You showed me the value of a different kind of discipline, a spiritual discipline, and through it I became a person of good character. That's what matters to me today."
Many of us have negative associations with the word discipline. It brings back memories of the principal's office or worse. We understand that discipline means punishment—and it does—but other definitions better suit our recovery.
As a spiritual principle, discipline refers both to the good habits that support our recovery and to the calmness and peace that result from that effort. As with athletes and musicians, our performance in real life reflects the effort we put into applying discipline. When we are disciplined in our spiritual maintenance, we are less distracted by our impulses, our flaws may not show up as often, and we are more apt to listen to the quiet, wholesome assurances of our conscience or Higher Power. As we improve our conscious contact, it is easier for us to curb our excesses and strengthen our character. As one member wrote: “I have a daily spiritual process that brings me into balance with my emotions. I can exercise self-restraint when required because I am no longer ruled by impulse.”
My character is determined by my choices - what I am is what I do. Are my current habits providing sufficient spiritual sustenance? How could I strengthen my character with more discipline?
