Help
With Your Rule
Struggling With Inconsistency
Dear Holly,
I struggle with inconsistency. What is at the root of inconsistency? I get enthused about trying something new, or setting a schedule, (ie. attending daily Mass, nightly prayers as a family, etc.) but find my ability to stick with it soon fades. It greatly bothers me that I never manage to follow through with these things and find excuses not to.
Labels: 2nd P Person
posted by Holly at 4:50 PM
2 Comments:
I think there are probably as many reasons for inconsistency as there are persons!
But for me, I think it is a meaning issue.
I can be initially attracted to a good, but once the romance of it fades, it doesn't seem as attractive as my own sloth! I think it is almost like a pleasure-seeking. At first, when things are new and exciting, we derive pleasure from it. But eventually, the emotional pleasure fades, and we are left with only the task, reason and conviction. And unless the important reasons for doign it are continually bolstered up, we lose it.
So, I think it is because our emotions lead us. And when they fade, there is no meaning to us personally.
The only way to solve this, I think, is to keep in front of our minds- thru reading and prayer - the valid reasons why we need to do this. And, I think even more so, it needs to be a religious reason. Only this seems to inspire in the long run.
The reality is that, everything to do with our vocations is a direct request from God, who needs us.
So, for every task, it is as if Jesus says "Will you homeschool now?" or "Will you get to Mass now so you can receive me?" or "Will you do your laundry now?"
If we are attentive to him and his requests, we say "Yes.:" This sense that he is with us, and is asking us, and needs us, greatly helps motivation. In order to keep this, increase your spiritual reading. St Teresa of Avila's Way of Perfection comes to mind for you - you might want to give this a try. Or her Interior Castle... a very good beginning.
The remedy for all sloth is developing strong intellectual convictions (and grace). Inconsistency shows that we don't have a grasp on the importance of what we are doing. My opinion... :-)
A bit more...
Yes - intellectual conviction forms our minds and then our wills are attracted to good and it is easier to choose it. However! We have original sin to consider as well. So, like, did I forget to mention -
BEG God for His Grace and
Pick up Your Cross, despite the "I don't want to's" ?
I prayed to quit smoking for 13 years before God finally gave me what I needed and I had finally reached a spot he could move me.
Prayer, effort and intellectual conviction... It really is all three.
:-)
Holly
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