obstacles

My daughter Jade plays violin and I play guitar. When my daughter first began playing I would have her put her violin back in the case each time she was done and I would do the same with my guitar. We then purchased a wall rack for her violin and a stand for my guitar. The result, we both play more often and play when the spirit moves us. We don't have to think about it, we just do it.

Conversely, when I was 21 and wanted to quit smoking, I wrapped a number of rubber bands around the pack. I also put my matches far away from the pack. In addition, I had a little chart that I would list the time, how badly I wanted it, my emotional state and a few other things. In short I put obstacles in my way of the behaviour I knew was diminishing my health. The result was within three weeks I no longer smoked and I have not since.

I teach the same concept to women for self defense. If you are in a small space and someone is getting aggressive, put an obstacle in the way such as a chair or table. In this way the aggressor has time to think about their actions as well as making them have to go past something to get to them. It is no longer easy. 

So the idea is we have three types of actions. One is to nourish our spirit, second is to diminish our spirit, third is neutral.

If you are interested in nourishing your spirit then remove as many obstacles as you can so you can do it without having to go through something else which may distract or discourage you from doing it.

If you are engaging in a behaviour which diminishes your spirit then put some obstacles in the way. Something that makes it an effort just to engage in the action.

If it is neutral, then if it is fun, productive or necessary you will want to or need to do it and you will.

Becoming conscious of your actions and obstacles is the way to discipline and peace.