"It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself." - J.W. von Goethe
What do you think of when you read this quote?
For me, it's food. For you, it may be alcohol, smoking, gambling, etc. But what about the more mental/spiritual stuff?
Never want to stop eating homemade sushi!
In your relationships, how could you apply this idea of self-limitation? In what ways might you integrate some self-discipline in your expressions with others?
Let me give you an example from my life. When I meet a new person, I get excited to connect.
But here's the ugly part... my desire to connect sometimes translates into a desire to show them how great I am. (Please accept me, new person!)
This ego-driven desire to be accepted results in a propensity to interrupt what the other person is saying. (A wise and trusted friend actually pointed this out for me... thank you!!!) As you may have guessed, interrupting a new acquaintance has an adverse effect, and definitely is not a trait I want to foster.
Thus, self-limitation for me in that moment might be to stop talking and start listening with genuine curiosity. This action aligns with my deeper desire to connect with this new person authentically, which adds a lot more value to both our lives - and sounds a lot more "masterful," right?
How could you apply this quote to be a master in your life?
What baby step will you take today to experiment with self-limitation? (Remember - just a BABY step! You have plenty of time to take another step after that!)
As always, we want to hear what you are thinking. Please take a minute to share your thoughts and experiences with the community.
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