Enduring Discipline, 11 Days Omer 5785
Today is eleven days, which is one week and four days of the Omer in the year 5785. נצח שבגבורה, Netzach ShebeGevurah, Enduring Discipline. With any characteristic, Endurance is difficult to maintain. The Yetzer HaRa, the Inclination towards Destructiveness, never sleeps. The Yetzer HaRa is Discipline’s mortal enemy, constantly filling our heads with images of easier ways to live, more comfortable ways to drift through life. How do we maintain Discipline in the face of forces internal and external pushing us to let go?
Enduring Through Setbacks
The truth is, perfectly Enduring Discipline is an illusion. We are human and we will have setbacks. The most important thing is to get up and return to The Way. Just as I cannot define the Divine, I cannot imagine Eternity.
Netzach, נצח, is a shimmering ideal, holding strong while we mere mortals waffle.
There is only one thing I try to hold eternally: compassion. Compassion for myself and the world around me.
For too long, my love of Discipline made me an enemy of myself and the world around me.
I worshipped at the altar of Boundaries.
My sense of justice and truth within a Moral Framework overshadowed my humanity.
No matter how hard I tried, I simply could not live up to the Ideal I set for myself.
Over and over, I learn the same lesson.
Perfection is not the goal.
Endurance in the face of setbacks is key.
Choose Depth, Choose Discipline
Now is the time to reflect on what Really Matters.
Discipline is not a hardship.
It is a free choice to live into the Life worth Living.
The only way for Discipline to Endure is for it to be rooted in Flow.
The Way guides us to our inner depths.
We choose Discipline because it helps us become ourselves.
Endurance Embraces Change
Today’s Discipline is not what it was five years ago.
To continue on Life’s Journey, we must embrace change.
We must accept the grey.
Changing course does not change our Endurance.
We remain Eternally connected to Flowing Discipline.
Our understanding has shifted and grown, allowing us to shift and grow.
Change is Life.
Eternal Connection is never rigid.
Clear Vision, Joyful Teshuvah
Discipline begins with a Clear Vision.
Understanding what our souls’ are pushing us to become.
Endurance requires Joyful Teshuvah.
Every day, we have the opportunity to Return to the Path of Discipline.
Every day, we can joyfully accept our humanity and forgive ourselves for stumbling.
We are mortal.
Nothing about us is perfect.
Our pursuit of ideals is key.
Previously on the 11th Day of the Omer
Eternal Boundaries, 5783 / 2023
Enduring Strength: Choose to be a Force for Good in the World, 2021 / 5781
Enduring Discipline: Clarifying My Vision, 2019 / 5779
Image by Albrecht Fietz via Pixabay.