PMCI - May 2021

RUNNING ON EMPTY
Do you ever get that feeling that you’re really having to fight
hard to keep pushing along at the moment? If you do, then don’t
despair as you are 100% not alone! As the global pandemic grinds
inexorably onwards, and whilst some of you may be reading this
issue in a country that is still ravaged by this awful virus, things
are improving slowly, and WE ARE getting through this together!
However, the “together” part of that last statement is not what
it was, and our physical “togetherness” has been more than a little
curtailed hasn’t it? Although we are now more able to meet, and
to start reclaiming the lives that C-19 has stolen from us, what
the last year has proved to me is that when it really comes down
to it, you must be at one with yourself before you can begin to
share yourself confidently with others.
Trampas recently posted a comment on his personal social
media from Jocko Willink, retired naval officer, Navy SEAL, and
author of “Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual” along the
lines of “don’t expect to be motivated every day to get out there
and make things happen. You won’t be. Don’t count on motivation.
Count on Discipline” and never has this been truer and more apt
than now.
Discipline, both mental and physical, is what gets us through
the day, especially self-discipline; when motivation wains and
you are indeed running on empty emotionally and mentally it’s
self-discipline that will keep you driving forward! You may think
that you can’t take another step, and that you can’t work out
whether up is down any more, but having that self-discipline and
self-reliance at your core means that YOU WILL move forward, and
we all know you must NEVER stop moving forward!
This is not something that comes naturally or easily, but it is
something that you can learn, and self-discipline comes hand in
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hand with self-worth and self-reliance. Don’t blame bad stuff on
others, stand firm and embrace responsibility for your actions, or
indeed inactions. Don’t think “oh, woe is me” because inevitably
some has it worse than you do, or “why does this always happen
to me” when you should be thinking “what can I do positively
stop that happening again?”
We always say “Train Hard, Stay in the Fight” and that’s not just
about knowing your drills and knowing how to shoot. This ethos
should encompass every aspect of our lives, as when we become
competent in one thing, that gives us the self-confidence to drive
on and learn or do something more.
And of course, as we all emerge from isolation around the
globe into our respective new worlds, being who you are and
having worth and confidence in yourself will let you once again
fully embrace the company of others, and revel in it! To conclude
I’ll come back to some more wise words from Jocko;
“NO MORE. No more excuses. No more: “I’ll start tomorrow.”
No more: “Just this once.” No more accepting the shortfalls of my
own will. No more taking the easy road. No more bowing down
to whatever unhealthy or unproductive thoughts float through my
mind.”
Just be yourself, know your true worth and believe in it, and
take pride in that.
Stay frosty, and see you on the flip-side!
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