Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind

of order that sets me free to fly.

—Julie Andrews

It’s Thursday night and I’m not feeling like writing tomorrow’s post. I’m at a lake house. In vacation mode — the busy kind of vacation mode and I just want to do nothing.

My sweetie suggested that I don’t have to write it. That pissed me off. I’m still kind of pissed off actually.

He said, “I just want you to have freedom.”

I have not missed writing a post in nearly a year. Next month my blog will celebrate one year of showing up twice a week to write and share love letters and mindfulness practice. I’m incredibly proud of that. Proud of myself.

It’s been a commitment to myself first and something I share second. Myself as a writer and a passionate mindfulness practitioner.

And it’s pure joy. Even when it’s hard to show up.

The 100% principle: “99 percent is a b*tch. 100 percent is a breeze.”

—Jack Canfield

The freedom of discipline is that there’s no choice. No decisions to be made. And it’s a choice. There is no “should I or shouldn’t I?” (I’ll do it under these conditions, but not under those). No hemming and hawing. I just do. Every week I choose to create the time and space to show up, no matter what. This act of showing up is in and of itself a great act of self-love. It requires tenacity, and a I’ve got you’re back / don’t even think of fucking with my girl ferocity. It calls on my masculine energy. The showing up part.

The writing is all about receiving. It’s the gift of the divine feminine. And it’s fueled by love. Unconditional, fiery, badass love.

So while suggesting I abandon it for the week feels a bit like leaving my baby by the side of the road while I head into the bar for a cold one, I’m glad he suggested it. It ignited my passion and gave me something to write about. 

Ha! Now there’s some magic. My sweetie says something and I get grumpy and I’m happy for it. Happy for all of it. Using everything in life to help me wake up and end suffering. That’s what my teacher says practice is about.

I don’t practice this kind of discipline in all parts of my life. And when and where I practice it changes. There may come a time when writing this blog twice a week no longer serves me or my audience, but this is not that time.

How about you? Have you ever tried the 100% principle? How’d it work out for you? Leave a comment, start a conversation, inspire a movement.

Xo