In the absence of willpower the most complete collection of virtues and talents is wholly worthless. - Aleister Crowley
Isn't it fascinating how someone can start with everything and make nothing of it, while someone starting with nothing can achieve greatness? By no means is this an absolute, there are cases where no amount of effort or desire will reach your goal. However, this scenario applies enough to be relevant. For me, the force of will is the driving power tempered by dedicated discipline, actualizing potential and realizing desire. As Mr. Crowley stated, all the talents and values mean nothing if you don't have that fire inside to utilize and hold to them. How many people, that when the going gets tough, back down and compromise their values? How many people have all of the skills, means, and potential to achieve more and don't? How many people's fires go out because of fear? I know I'm guilty of all of the above at many points in my life. And I've met countless people with untapped potential, going to sleep every night leaving so much on the table.
It can be terribly difficult starting out on this journey, but it's really so simple. Define your goal, determine how you want to get there, and then just do it. Roadblocks will come up constantly in life, and that's where your discipline comes in. When you're afraid, stand tall, and push forward anyway. You can't choose how you feel, but you absolutely choose how you act upon those feelings. When you've run out of confidence, keep pushing forward. Confidence is developed with experience from within, not given by another. When you feel like you can't take the costs anymore, really look at how much this means to you. If you'd be dead inside without it, be prepared to make sacrifices. When others come to tear you down, make sure you're in the right. If you are, stand firm, and never give in. If you're not, be hasty to apologize, and slow to forget. When temptation arises to abandon your goal, be strong and turn back on your path. Willpower isn't progress. It isn't success. It isn't feats of strength. It isn't easy. It's saying yes to your goals every single second of every day, and saying no to anything that gets in the way. Willpower is a choice, simple but rarely without difficulty or pain.
If there's anything to take from this, please remember that you always have more potential than you think. That every moment is a choice that builds your future. To always hold to your values, especially when it's difficult. Please remember that willpower is a choice, fueled by desire, tempered by discipline. You can achieve, do, and be more than you think, if you will it.
It can be terribly difficult starting out on this journey, but it's really so simple. Define your goal, determine how you want to get there, and then just do it. Roadblocks will come up constantly in life, and that's where your discipline comes in. When you're afraid, stand tall, and push forward anyway. You can't choose how you feel, but you absolutely choose how you act upon those feelings. When you've run out of confidence, keep pushing forward. Confidence is developed with experience from within, not given by another. When you feel like you can't take the costs anymore, really look at how much this means to you. If you'd be dead inside without it, be prepared to make sacrifices. When others come to tear you down, make sure you're in the right. If you are, stand firm, and never give in. If you're not, be hasty to apologize, and slow to forget. When temptation arises to abandon your goal, be strong and turn back on your path. Willpower isn't progress. It isn't success. It isn't feats of strength. It isn't easy. It's saying yes to your goals every single second of every day, and saying no to anything that gets in the way. Willpower is a choice, simple but rarely without difficulty or pain.
If there's anything to take from this, please remember that you always have more potential than you think. That every moment is a choice that builds your future. To always hold to your values, especially when it's difficult. Please remember that willpower is a choice, fueled by desire, tempered by discipline. You can achieve, do, and be more than you think, if you will it.
Have a fantastic day, and welcome to the Didactic Seminary!
Song of the week: "It's Anybody's Spring" by Seth MacFarlane.
