During the last week I have had quiet a few changes happen in my life. I moved to a new barracks on Wednesday after under 24 hours of notice, I went to the dentist and found out that I am going to have some major work done to my mouth, and I finally started going to school after being here in holding for the last month and half. With these changes comes excitement, nervousness, and opportunities for me to grow. ...
“We don’t abandon out pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.” - Epicteus I am always free to iterate on a project or idea in the future, so there is no reason to let perfectionism hold me back. I used to let it hold me back when it came to writing and recording music all of the time. I would begin working on a song and I would not be happy with a part of it so I would obsess over the imperfect part trying to find something that would be perfect, even though I did not already have a plan or idea of what perfect would be. This lead to me having dozens of unfinished recordings of what could have been at the very least fine songs or recordings. While I have not been recording music in a long time, I eventually stopped doing this and instead gave myself a deadline to finish a song, this lead me to finishing songs and not getting stuck in the weeds with sections of the song until I had a finished draft. This meant no matter what I had something that was complete, while I may have been able to bring it closer to perfection, I was free to do this without giving up on the project due to perfection not being met. ...
What Small Progress Can I Make Today? “Well-being is realized by small steps, but is truly no small thing” Zeno Today I can continue to make small progress in areas of my life by continuing to try to reinforce the routines I have been trying to foster for myself. Another way I can constantly make small progress throughout the day is by adding checklist items to my pocket notebook I keep in my shirt or in my digital Obsidian notebook, and then check in on my notebooks at the top of every hour when my watch vibrates in order to keep the notes listed within these notebooks in the forefront of my mind. ...
I can find confidence in knowing that I am actively trying to become more humble to my Lord who is the creator of all things that are good. Through him I will be saved and given life everlasting worshiping and loving The Father. I can find confidence in discipline. The more discipline I create for myself, the more confidence I gain. If I am able to wake up in the morning when I say I will –0530– even though I am now able to get out of bed whenever I want, so long as I am ready for muster, I will gain more confidence because my first action in the morning will be one that I planned and overcame. In order to accomplish this I will also need to begin going to bed at a set time every night, which will be at 2200. This new discipline will be the foundation on which I build my other disciplines. Writing daily is another discipline that I have been working on. Currently I have been writing in my physical journal, which this post is being transferred from, reflection and intentions can be set which will track my growth. Practicing harmonica regularly will require discipline, it will be easiest to see a confidence gain, because as I practice daily I will become a more confident player. I will also become disciplined to work out 3 times a week, starting with doing a push up routine from the hundred push ups website. I will also begin running around the local track in the future as well. The final, and most important, discipline that requires consistency that I am doing is reading prayers aloud from my Orthodox Prayer Book in the morning, evening, noon, and all meals. ...