“Discipline: The root of all good qualities. The driver of daily execution. The core principle that overcomes laziness and lethargy and excuses. Discipline defeats the infinite excuses that say: Not today, not now, I need a rest, I will do it tomorrow.”
— Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom
Those words from Jocko Willink, former Navy SEAL Officer, author and podcaster, contain the real definition of discipline — self-discipline that is. While discipline is expected from elite military groups like the Navy Seals, Marine Corps Force Recon, and Army Special Forces, what about the average 55 year old and up Senior who wants to age as a healthy and fit man or woman, but can’t seem to find anything other than excuses to make it happen.
I often write about Dick Van Dyke, the dancer/comedian who says, in his nineties, that his 40 minutes in the gym is the best part of his day. He continues to do soft shoe dancing and has continued to play roles in movies as recently as 2018 where he played a part in Mary Poppins Returns.
I also write about the late Gillian Lynne, the choreographer of Cats and Phantom of the Opera,who was still active into her nineties. She died of pneumonia at age 92. She made an excellent exercise video while in her 80s and, like Dick Van Dyke, proclaimed her daily 45 minutes in the gym to be the best part of her day.
These are noteworthy people who are/were committed to be healthy and fit as a way of life. These are seniors who discovered the Fountain of Youth within them and learned how to bask in the Flow of Life.
They are among the many Seniors like you and me, who have learned that there are no shortcuts to a long, productive and active life. They have learned that the way to living long, productively and independently can be found in keeping their old bodies young and their minds productive.
They are representative of those seniors who know that the key to the flow of life is physical movement and focused mental activity, coupled with a healthful overall lifestyle — and discipline! You can find them at the gym at 6:30 in the morning. You can find them briskly walking on the sidewalks or paths at the same time each day or even on the ski slopes in Winter. You see them in your own town or city, moving quickly through the stores and markets, and even heading to their doctor’s appointments, with their heads high, their postures erect with a gleam in their eye and a grin on their face.
They understand the importance of discipline to their healthy lifestyle and they are discipline’s role models.
As former Navy Seal Officer Jocko Willink says:
“Curse the warmth of the bed.
Curse the comfort of the pillow.
Fight the temptation of weakness.
Get up and go.
Do it quickly, without thought.
Do not reason with weakness. You cannot.
You must only take action.
Get up and GO.”
— Jocko Willink from Discipline
Equals Freedom
Thank you for reading
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