Tags
activity, balance, disciple, discipline, disciplined life, generous heart, laziness, Luke, motivation, shakespeare, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, to thine own self be true
After yesterday’s post there were comments and conversations that attested to the truth of what had been said about the inner enemy of laziness. Much of what was shared centered around the importance of balance. It would be easy for those of us who are students of a disciplined life to cross the line into rigidity in our actions (like forcing myself to get out of bed – no matter my body’s warnings – because it is the rule). What we need to remember is that discipline has the same root as disciple and that the purpose lies in the heart, not the head. I was reminded of this as I read the gospel acclamation for this morning: Blessed are those who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. (LK 8:15) Knowing ourselves and our patterns of inner and outer activity and motivation will keep us on the path in a relaxed and ordered way which cannot help but ripple out to good effect on the community. Shakespeare offers what I think is a helpful summary of our musings as Polonius bids farewell to his son Laertes (Hamlet Act 1, Scene 3).
This above all: to thine own self be true. and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!