SIMPLE40 - Day 9 - If Not Now, When?

Katie Donahue
4 days ago
5 min read

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Discipline is one of those words that used to carry a quiet strength. It was respected. People understood it. Today, it often feels heavy or negative...associated with “control,” “punishment,” or “strict training.” But those definitions miss the heart of true self-discipline.

Real self-discipline is about being free, not harsh or rigid.

It gives you the ability to remove what you don’t need from your life and focus on what truly matters. It narrows your vision so you can see clearly. It strengthens your “yes” to the things of God and gently weakens your attachment to the things that clutter your soul.

If you desire simplicity, you actually need self-discipline.

Without it, you drift.

With it, you grow.

The best way to grow in self-discipline is simple: start now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not when life feels less busy. Begin today. If not now, when?

Start small. Faithfulness in little things builds strength for greater ones.

In your prayer life:

Do you thank God the moment your eyes open in the morning? Start doing that.
Do you pray a Morning Offering? Begin tomorrow.
Do you bless your food before you eat? Make that your practice.

You may need a small visual cue on your mirror or dashboard at first. That’s okay. Habits are formed through repetition. Soon, what once required effort becomes natural.

As you practice self-discipline in these small, hidden ways, you will begin to notice something beautiful: there is more within your control than you thought, especially the formation of your thoughts, your responses, and your focus. And when those begin to align, other things slowly fall into place.

The saints remind us not to rush the process. Discipline is not dramatic. It is steady.

Here is wisdom from Basil the Great:

Do not straightaway attempt extreme discipline; above all things beware of confidence in yourself....It is better to advance a little at a time...When you have mastered one passion, then begin to wage war against another, and in this manner you will in good time get the better of all. ~St. Basil the Great

A little at a time.

That is the way of simplicity.

spiritual

Self-discipline in your spiritual life bears beautiful fruit when you keep it simple and commit to a steady prayer rhythm. You do not need to pray every beautiful devotion ever written in order to grow in holiness. Choose what truly speaks to your heart and faithfully return to it.

Consistency matters more than quantity.

You may need to set a reminder on your phone or create a small daily checklist to anchor your intentions. Simple structures support lasting habits. Over time, what feels intentional becomes natural.

One small practice I love is praying spontaneously in groups of three, a quiet nod to the Most Holy Trinity. If I whisper a “mini-prayer” of gratitude, I say it three times. For example, when I woke up to clouds and fog again this morning and felt that initial “ugh,” I gently shifted my response:

“Thank you, Jesus, for the clouds and cold. I am grateful for the seasons. Thank you, Jesus, for the fog and frost.”

That small act of discipline turns complaint into gratitude. It helps me accept what I cannot control and receive the day as it is given.

Now think about your own day. When are you most easily triggered...meal prep, cleaning up what your kids left undone, scraping ice off the windshield (again)? Notice those moments. Do not let negative thoughts carry you away unchecked.

As soon as you recognize the frustration, pause. Identify the thought that sparked it. Then, with gentle discipline, reframe it. Choose gratitude, surrender and trust.

This is where profound change happens, not in dramatic gestures, but in the quiet retraining of your mind. With a little self-discipline and a lot of God’s grace, even your most ordinary frustrations can become places of growth.

SELF

Caring for your body is part of living simply. It is not vanity. It is stewardship.

We have already talked about the importance of regular, intentional movement and the powerful effect it has on both physical and mental health. So here is your gentle reminder for today: aim for 40 minutes of intentional movement. A walk outside. A strength workout. Stretching. A bike ride. Cleaning with purpose. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it just needs to be intentional.

Movement clears mental clutter. It steadies emotions. It strengthens discipline.

Today, I also want you to reflect on how you nourish your body. Food is a gift, but like everything else, it requires balance and awareness. What kind of discipline, or lack of discipline, are you practicing when it comes to eating?

In this season of Lent, are you fasting in obedience to the norms of the Church? Are you approaching meals with mindfulness and gratitude?

Ask yourself:

Do I eat a good variety of healthy, nourishing foods?
Do I need to grow in my understanding of basic nutrition?
Do I plan meals, or am I constantly reacting at the last minute?

Planning is a quiet form of discipline.

It reduces stress.

It prevents waste.

It simplifies decision-making.

In my current season of life, I am only planning dinner since the kids are old enough to handle their own breakfast and lunch. I keep it simple. I printed my meal plan chart, placed it in a frame, and write on the glass with a dry erase marker each week. You can download what I use here: Meal Planning and Chore Chart

Simple systems support faithful habits.

When we approach movement and nourishment with intention instead of impulse, we create space for greater clarity, steadiness, and peace...in body, mind, and soul.

service

Since we are talking about food, in service to yourself and your family, take some time to organize your refrigerator, pantry or food storage cupboards to restore order and discover all the things that got shoved to the back or are not in their proper place. Isn't it amazing the things you find?

Don't put it off. You will feel so accomplished when you open that clean and organized fridge or pantry door! Keep in mind that just as one good habit leads to another, so does one bad habit lead to another. Procrastination of little things leads to procrastination of big things. A little self-discipline in the area of keeping your kitchen clean and organized saves a lot of time and frustration, not only for you, but for your family as well.

simple recipe

Vegetarian Fried Rice This recipe came from the newspaper several years ago and quickly became a Lenten staple in our house. Simple, healthy, and filling. 2 eggs beaten 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley 4 Tbsp white cooking wine 4 Tbsp soy sauce/coconut aminos/etc 2 Tbsp water 1⁄2 tsp hot pepper sauce 1⁄4 tsp pepper 4 Tbsp olive oil 2 tsp minced garlic 4 carrots, sliced 2 cups broccoli florets 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 3 cups cooked rice (white or brown, your choice) 1⁄2 cup cucumber seeded and diced Directions Sauce: Combine eggs, parsley, wine, soy sauce, water, hot pepper sauce and black pepper. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet, add garlic, carrots and broccoli. Stir fry 5 min and add mushrooms. Add sauce mix to center of pan and cook until thoroughly mixed. Add rice and mix. We like to top this with hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and extra soy sauce (or Bragg's Aminos).