Today I'm sharing a message from the Renewed Man Program. Renewed Man is a systematic teaching and
coaching series designed to help men grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually ... developing the essential character quality of "self-mastery." Even though this community is created for men, the principles are universal -- women will benefit from these insights as well.
We build this teaching around 12 Keys, and this week, we're focusing on key 1: COMMITMENT.
Here's how we put it:
Commitment - We are developing a
vision for sexual vitality and self-mastery -- in an out-of-control world -- and a plan for getting there. We daily seek to control, not suppress, our sexual drive.
Here's one of the daily messages from this week's teaching series. I hope this will help you:
************
The philosopher Epictetus (c 50 – 135 AD) was a Greek slave, eventually going on to become a teacher in the line of Stoic philosophers. A student of his wrote down some of his lessons, and these writings were preserved and later
published. If interested, I highly recommend doing a deep dive into Epictetus’ story and his writings. Trust me, you’ll be inspired and instructed.
Today, Epictetus kicks our butt by challenging us to get on with it. In this preserved lecture, he challenges his students to stop putting off their resolve to do the things they need to do. It’s a great and important message: Stop waiting for the next great teacher to give you a new insight. Stop waiting for the
right conditions. Do the work TODAY, while you can. This is the only thing you CAN do — the next right thing — in the only time frame that is possible — NOW. Here’s how he puts it:
How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself? You have received the philosophical principles which you ought to accept, and you have accepted them. What sort of a teacher, then, do you still wait for, that you should put off reforming yourself until he
arrives?
You are no longer a boy, but a full-grown man. If you are now neglectful and easy-going, and always making one delay after another, and fixing first one day and then another, after which you will pay attention to yourself, then without realizing it you will make no progress.
From now on, then, resolve to live as a grown-up who is making progress, and make whatever you think is best for you a law that you never set aside. And whenever
you encounter anything that is difficult or pleasurable, or highly or lowly regarded, remember that the contest is now: you are at the Olympic Games, you cannot wait any longer, and that your progress is wrecked or preserved by a single day and a single event.
NEXT ACTION
Today’s action is not to add anything new to your day, but look at what you’ve already planned and committed yourself to do. Make sure you
follow through. Do the thing, no matter if it’s something you don’t want to do. If it’s the right thing to do -- do it. You’ll be glad you did … guaranteed.
************
Would you like to go "all in" and join the Renewed Man Boot Camp? It's a 12 Week Immersion in these principles. You'll get these daily teachings, a weekly video on one of the 12 Keys of Being a Renewed Man, and access to a support group
and/or a coaching group that I lead.
Find out more about the Renewed Man Program here.