A Disciplined Life

If you come here often, you notice that I have not written in quite a long time. I apologize for the silence, and I certainly have a lot to say over the next few weeks. In truth, I have not had to much time to reflect on what I feel comfortable sharing online and the circumstances of life that have kept me from writing more regularly of late.

Frankly, my life has become close to unmanageable. My schedule is crammed full of good things, but they are leaving me few minutes to think, to plan, and to set goals. I am now working to correct this. I am declaring war with myself.

I believe strongly in the call to lead by serving. My days are devoted to serving my students, serving my family, serving my church community, serving my ensembles, and serving my neighbors. I find ways to say ‘yes’ to all of these things, and all of them are good. However, in working to serve them all, I often end up not serving them all equally well.

I seek to adopt the mindset of a good soldier. My goal is to cultivate a more disciplined mind, a more disciplined schedule, and a more disciplined body. I realize now how connected each of these things are. In order to have a disciplined mind and body, I have to discipline my schedule to allow me time to rest and exercise. None of these things is possible apart from the other.

I am being called on to make some tough choices. I will find myself saying “no” much more often, and since I am loathe to disappoint people, I find that difficult (even painful). I will also have to let some good things go. Thank you for your prayers and good intentions as I undertake this task.