La Disciplina Marcará Tu Destino/Discipline Is Destiny : The Power Of Self- Cont Rol by Ryan Holiday

In his highly acclaimed book, “Courage is Calling,” Ryan Holiday introduced millions of readers to the ancient teachings of stoicism, which have resonated with everyone from athletes and politicians to CEOs. Now, in his second installment of the “Stoic Virtue” series, titled “Discipline is Destiny,” Holiday explores the transformative power of self-discipline and pays homage to those who have harnessed its full potential.

To achieve greatness in the world, one must first conquer themselves: their emotions, actions, and thoughts. As Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, true freedom lies in the practice of self-discipline. Cicero characterized the virtue of temperance as the essence and splendor of life. Without self-imposed limits and self-control, not only do we risk failing to reach our full potential and losing what we have achieved, but we also condemn ourselves to a life of humiliation and misery.

In this captivating book, Ryan Holiday argues that temperance, also known as self-control or discipline, is the most crucial virtue of all. Throughout history, this virtue has been called many names, but it always signifies the same thing: the ability to govern oneself, to set personal boundaries, and to establish empowering habits. Every great figure in history has practiced some form of self-mastery, from baseball legend Lou Gehrig to Queen Elizabeth II, from renowned writer Joyce Carol Oates to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. to countless others.

In a world marked by excess and disorder, self-discipline is more important than ever. Will you dare to dig deep to find it? And, more importantly, will you put it into practice? Only through self-discipline can you steer your life towards true fulfillment.

In his book, Holiday draws on the inspiring stories of historical figures who exemplify self-discipline, such as Lou Gehrig, Queen Elizabeth II, boxer Floyd Patterson, Marcus Aurelius, and writer Toni Morrison. He also offers cautionary tales of individuals like Napoleon, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Babe Ruth, who suffered the consequences of their lack of discipline and succumbed to extravagance and hedonism.

At the core of stoicism lie four fundamental virtues: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. According to the Stoics, everything else flows from these virtues. “Discipline is Destiny” serves as a guide, leading readers on the path to self-mastery, upon which all other virtues depend. Self-discipline is not only predictive of success; it is also indispensable. Without it, one is destined to experience failure and unhappiness.

Becoming What We Focus On: The Impact of Our Influences

Have you ever heard the saying, “Show me who you spend time with, and I’ll show you who you are”? Well, the Stoics have a similar twist on that idea. They believe that you become what you give your attention to. In other words, the things you focus on and immerse yourself in will shape who you become.

Think about it. If you constantly watch polarizing political news, it’s only natural that you’ll become a person who is obsessed with politics and sees everything through a polarizing lens. Likewise, if you spend all your time consuming celebrity gossip or following influencers on Instagram, you’ll likely start to adopt their values and ways of thinking.

But here’s the exciting part – if you intentionally seek out positive and empowering content, you can actually become a more positive and empowered individual. It’s like feeding your mind and soul with nourishing thoughts and ideas.

As the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “We become what we think about all day long.” And I believe that to be true not only for our thoughts but also for the influences we allow into our lives.

Just like we are mindful of the food we eat because it affects our physical health, we should also be mindful of the influences we consume through our eyes and ears. They shape our mental and emotional well-being.

So, take a moment to reflect on your influences. What are you regularly exposing yourself to? Are they things that uplift and inspire you, or do they drag you down or keep you stuck?

Remember, the quality of your life is greatly influenced by the things you pay attention to. Choose wisely. Feed your mind and soul with content that aligns with the person you want to become.