self-restraint.

“To discipline one’s self-that is the highest thing. The man who does not wish to be merely one of the mass, only needs to cease to be easy on himself.” Friedrich Nietzche

Perhaps he was on to something. Since I became clean & sober, I have been terribly hard on myself. I run, workout, eat strictly & hunt constantly for pools. I ask more of myself than anyone could ever ask of me. Discipline of ourselves is difficult…and takes more courage than most people realize. Have you ever tried to stop drinking, smoking, using profanity, avoiding members of the opposite sex, or anything along those lines? Have you ever tried to lead an abstemious life? It is excessively difficult. Bruce Lee wrote, “We are born to achieve great things, if we have the strength to conquer ourselves.” I am 46 years old & am trying to learn new things while skating. New tricks, better shallow speed lines, consistency, and on-and-on. I find it terribly difficult to learn at my age. Especially when I have been riding a skateboard in the same manner for over 35 years! I have also been thinking & acting in the same selfish manner just as long. Its almost too hard. Change in life. Discipline yourself. Try something new. Push the limits you have previously set, and you might find yourself on new ground. That wouldn’t be a bad thing , would it? Thanks again to Jim Goodrich for the inspiration & image. Push yourself & skate-Ozzie