Kathy Butryn (pictured left) is a gifted communicator, author, and life coach whose Toronto-based ministry reaches across North America. Because of the guidance and wisdom she has received from God in the face of countless life experiences, she has been gifted to inspire and train the leaders of today and tomorrow. Here is a fantastic encouragement from her, to us, about valuing and redefining the "D"-word... "discipline"...Enjoy.
I was doing my dishes the other day, and got to thinking. Actually, that's when I do a lot of my thinking. I was thinking about a client I am working with that is having some time-management issues. As our conversations have progressed, she has made it very clear that she is the "spontaneous" type. She absolutely hates to be "tied down" to a day-timer or other tool of tracking her to-do lists and daily activities. Rarely does she write anything down (maybe it's just my age, but I have a hard and fast principle I follow: What I don't write down, I don't remember! Anyone else out there like me???)
OK, so I'm going to admit it. In a way, I kinda wish I could be like her. She, like some of my other friends, always appear to be enjoying life to the full--doing what they want, when they want--well, being spontaneous. Not a schedule or list to be found anywhere! I want to be spontaneous too! (imagine me stompin' my foot with a very pouty look on my face right now.)
I began to think...hmmm...are there different kinds of "spontaneous?" And if so, what would my desired spontaneity look like? So I stopped stompin' my feet and wiped that pouty look off my face and asked my Heavenly Father to teach me and show me. Here's some of what I heard that day over a sudsy sink of dishes:
•I wanted to spontaneously have anyone in my home, at any time without scrambling to make it somewhat presentable.
•I wanted to be able to be present to my husband, my kids, or my friends--not thinking in the back of my mind all the stuff I needed to do-- should they spontaneously want/need my attention for something.
•I wanted to spontaneously grab a book and curl up and read, my Bible or another book... guilt-free--because I have created some "margin" or space in my calendar for these life-giving activities.
Then it dawned on me.
DISCIPLINE = SPONTANEITY
At least the kind of spontaneity I desire to have in my life.
•When I develop the consistent and regular discipline of picking up my home each day, I am ready to receive my family and friends at a moment's notice.
•When I develop the consistent and regular discipline of doing things NOW...not putting off for tomorrow what I can do today, I am not frazzled when others need me to be present with them
•When I develop the consistent and regular discipline not booking my schedule to the beat of a frenzied drum, I am free to enjoy the spontaneous "slow-down" moments in my life.
Do you see what I am saying?
How do you define "spontaneity?" Do you need to re-define it?
Remember: it's not Discipline VS Spontaneity. It's Discipline = Spontaneity!
Build a spontaneous life!!!!
To His Glory,
Kath
Find more of Kathy's articles and teaching on her blog, here. You can also find out more about Kathy's ministry by checking out her website.
Source: The Heart Change Place
Image Source: Kathy Burtyn
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