“[Lou Gehrig] knew that getting comfortable was the enemy, and that success is an endless series of invitations to get comfortable. It’s easy to be disciplined when you have nothing. What about when you have everything? What about when you’re so talented that you can get away with not giving everything? The thing about Lou Gehrig is that he chose to be in control. This wasn’t discipline enforced from above or by the team. His temperance was an interior force, emanating from deep within his soul. He chose it, despite the sacrifices, despite the fact that others allowed themselves to forgo such penance and got away with it. Despite the face that it usually wasn’t recognized—not until long after he was gone anyway.”
Ryan Holiday, Discipline Is Destiny (Page 9)
“[Lou] Gehrig was fully ready to admit that his discipline meant he missed out on a few pleasures. He also knew that those who live the fast or the easy life miss something too—they fail to full realize their own potential. Discipline isn’t deprivation… it brings rewards.”
Ryan Holiday, Discipline Is Destiny (Page 8)
“Whenever you participate in creating beauty, it is there; whenever you stop creating, it is not. Beauty is a creation; so is ugliness. Happiness is a creation; so is misery. You get only that which you create, and you never get anything else. That is the whole philosophy of karma: You get only that which you do. Life is just a blank canvas—you can paint a beautiful scene, a landscape, or you can paint black ghosts and dangerous people. It’s up to you. You can make a beautiful dream or a nightmare. Once this is understood, things are very simple. You are the master; it is your responsibility.”
Osho, Everyday Osho (Page 349)
“As a rookie, Joe DiMaggio once asked [Lou] Gehrig who he though was going to pitch for the opposing team, hoping perhaps, to hear it was someone easy to hit. ‘Never worry about that, Joe,’ Gehrig explained. ‘Just remember they always save the best for the Yankees.’ And by extension, he expected every member of the Yankees to bring their best with them too. That was the deal: To whom much is given, much is expected. The obligation of a champion is to act like a champion… while working as hard as somebody with something to prove.”
Ryan Holiday, Discipline Is Destiny (Page 7)
“Once you start compromising, well, now you’re compromised…”
Ryan Holiday, Discipline Is Destiny (Page 7)
Imagine life without craving, attachment, or desire…
Read Matt’s Blog inspired by this quote ➜
“The conspiracy theorist in your Facebook feed. The politically radicalized family member. The angry stranger looking for an argument. Crazy people and crazy situations are opportunities to practice virtue. To show courage by standing firm in your principles. To demonstrate justice by treating them fairly despite their unfairness to you. To exercise temperance by controlling your emotions when they’re trying to provoke you. To insist on what’s right. To fight for change where you can. To put your efforts where they make a positive difference.”
Ryan Holiday