Being Resilient by Dr. Raynette C. Ilg N.D.

As the seasons change and we head into the last quarter of the year, which is by some perspectives the prettiest and most celebrated times, I begin to reflect. During this memory I’m reminded of the books I’ve read over this summer and the impacts they have had in many areas of my life. You see I’m an avid reader and learner and one book stood out as a life changer for me and that was Resilience by Eric Greitens. When I read a book I think to myself “what am I going to get out of this book?” and you may be wondering the same thing. So what are the big takeaways?

• You must battle for self-mastery and yes it is a constant battle
• You start with noticing what you are doing daily and understanding if those things should be mastered or let go
• What are your gifts to use or share? You have gifts to share. Are you willing to share them?
• Want to read more? https://olivebwc.com/blog/beingresilient/

Resilience is a book with thought generating exchanges about life, useful to all, between two retired (not old) Navy Seals, one having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, and the other helping to guide with the knowledge, or as I saw it wisdom, he had garnered so far in his own life.
As I devoured this book one statement made in the book jumped out and held me captive for quite some time. The statement was this “You will see that a lot of our most important battles are the ones that we fight for self-mastery.” Hmmm. The first impulse my mind generated was “Amen to that”, but as I put the book down and allowed that one sentence to swirl around and seep into the crevices of my brain, thoughts and reflections, I felt there was a deeper meaning. Maybe a personal message about my own life was to be learned. You see just because I can give suggestions in my office does not mean that I don’t struggle for self-mastery just like the rest of you. Whether your plight starts with being able to get out of bed on time or getting into bed at a more appropriate time so you can get out of bed in the morning, it’s about the mastery of self. Maybe the battle is just passing by the alcohol or chips, I’m not fooled, and those battles are real for a lot of us.
When I look around I wonder what around me isn’t about mastery of one’s self? I couldn’t really think of anything then I started watching my daily habits and trying to see if there was a difference between mastery and habit. Well low and behold within the sentence quoted there is. You see whether I’m trying to make a new habit for my health or become the best at whatever new battle I’m fighting, it seems to be coming down to self-mastery (which is the ability to control impulses or my own desires).
Will I chose to actually do the things that put me in control of my desires, or will I once again fall into the trap of impulse and settle for the “status quo”? I do believe that there is a way to make things a habit once you have mastered the self-control thing or probably more like practiced it enough, but the bigger question is “am I truly ready to make the small sacrifices to gain the self-mastery over things that will make a bigger impact on my life and the lives of those I cherish and respect”? Also am I using my gifts to help those I’m supposed to help? Can I help more people if I’ve mastered self? You know the answer as well as I do, but I personally had to think it through. The bigger question is what are we willing to do about it? Will you keep your word to yourself? Challenge yourself to think it through and read, not just for yourself but for everyone around you to make dreams come true. Let me know what you are working on.
Just another week at the Branch!