devotion over discipline

choosing love and longing and purpose in the coming year

(I wrote this while listening to one of my favourite piano playlists^!)

I recently learned to reframe ‘discipline’ as ‘devotion’ from Jillz Guerin. It was delightful how a simple choice of words can spark a new excitement for life :)

In discipline there is willpower, brute strength and furrowed brows. In devotion there is love, longing and purpose. And so, in 2024, I want to practise: 

Devotion to my life’s work. To channel my time and energy towards my interests - for instance, global health always finds its way back to me. To write and show up every day. To immerse myself in work of transcendent quality, so that I may create works that transcend myself. So that I may be content, frustrated, enriched, joyful and at peace all at once. 

Devotion to my body as my life’s vessel. To eat the foods that nourish me. To move, strengthen and challenge my body to better health and confidence. To honour its needs for rest and recovery every moon. So that I may jump, dance and sing my way through life.

Devotion to the relationships that fulfil me. To initiate and nurture connections with those I already love and may come to love. To choose generosity of spirit, care and empathy in times good and difficult. To lean into trust and faith during uncertain times. So that we can all be better, together. 

Devotion to a life filled with wonder and beauty. To keep my space a sacred place of inspiration. To ground myself in nature. To paint with colours both vivid and mellow. To read books both uplifting and bittersweet. So that I may be at one with life’s gifts, always. 

✿

“There’s a limit to the time assigned you, and if you don’t use it to free yourself, it will be gone and will never return.” - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Let’s not wait. Let’s live immediately. Here’s to a new year, devoted to living the truest, most beautiful life we can imagine for ourselves. Thank you all for reading and see you all in 2024!

warmest,
shiying

One of my favourite shots taken at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden this May :)