SIMPLE40 - Day 10 - More Discipline = More Time

Katie Donahue
5 days ago
4 min read

Do you ever wish you had more time in your day?

The practice of self-discipline helps you make decisions that bring order to your responsibilities instead of chaos to your schedule. When exercised consistently, discipline allows you to accomplish what truly matters with greater focus and less stress. Surprisingly, you begin to discover that you actually have more time, not because the clock changed, but because your priorities did.

And that is where simplicity begins: ordered priorities, peaceful mind.

But let’s be honest here...self-discipline is not easy. For most of us, it requires intention, humility, and perseverance. And if you try to cultivate it without God, it becomes far more difficult than it was ever meant to be.

Sometimes we operate as if we can manage on our own and only call on God when our plans unravel. Yet often, things unravel precisely because we attempted them without Him.

As a follower of Christ, you are not left to rely on willpower alone. You have been given the most powerful help imaginable: the Holy Spirit. Call upon the Holy Spirit daily. Ask for clarity and perseverance. Ask for the grace to remain steady and focused as you grow in the virtues of self-discipline and simplicity.

You will slip. You will stumble. We all do.

But that does not mean you are incapable. It means you are human and dependent.

True self-discipline is not perfection. It is the humble choice to keep turning back to God again and again. It is refusing to quit when you fall. It is clinging to His Word and beginning again.

Do not set yourself up for frustration by trying to go it alone. He is waiting for you to call on Him. Do not delay.

Whoever follows instruction is on the path to life, but whoever disregards reproof goes astray. ~Proverbs 10:17

spiritual

Prayer for Self-Discipline Good and Gracious God, Help me to form the virtue of self-discipline today by staying focused on you and using the gifts you have given me. You have placed dreams and desires on my heart that no one else has. Guide me on the path to accomplishing these dreams so that you may be glorified. Help me to discipline my mind to keep my thoughts positive and grateful so as to stay focused on my duties and not be distracted by what others are doing. I desire to do your will, and your will alone. Through growing in self-discipline, I have confidence that I can do all you ask of me. Come, Holy Spirit and aid my efforts to grow God's Kingdom here on earth. AMEN

self

Sleep is so very important. Do you practice discipline in the area of rest and sleep? One simple, powerful way to practice self-discipline in regards to sleep is the "Heroic Minute" as described by St. Josemaria Escriva.

"Conquer yourself each day from the very first moment, getting up on the dot, at a fixed time, without yielding a single minute to laziness. If, with God's help, you conquer yourself, you will be well ahead for the rest of the day." ~St. Josemaria Escriva

Click below to read more about the Heroic Minute and then implement it this weekend.

Heroic Minute

service

Do you have the tendency to always run late? Out of charity to others and their time, discipline yourself to get to your destination 10 minutes early, even if you think it is excessive and a waste of time. When you arrive early, you have more peace, which can be felt by others around you, and that peace has a ripple effect. I challenge you to get to Mass 10 minutes early this weekend. I'll bet you enjoy the quiet time to prepare your heart for receiving Jesus.

simple recipe

Pizza Crust We love to make homemade pizza in our house and have tried many pizza crust recipes. This one is a favorite! Makes 1 large pizza crust. 1 cup warm water 2 tsp. sugar 1 tbsp. active dry yeast 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup spelt flour 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt Preheat oven to 425. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the water and then the sugar and yeast. Give it a little swirl and let it dissolve. Let it stand for at least 10 minutes to give it a chance to fully bloom. Add the flours, salt and oil. Beat with a dough hook until smooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Beat for 5 more minutes. Let it rise for another 5-10 minutes. You can cover with a damp towel if you like. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll in to a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or stone (preferred). Top as desired and bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.