Jacey Verdicchio - A Children's Author

People naturally gravitate towards better behavior in the presence of others.  We are more accountable to others than we are to ourselves.  In areas of discipline that aren’t hard to do but are easier not to do, such as exercise, having a partner often proves valuable because people will give up on themselves more readily than they will on their partner.  Hazard interrupts harmony when two people cease to sharpen each other but instead rationalize and buy not only their own excuses but those of their partner as well.

As children, we are under the watchful eyes of our parents and teachers.  A child doesn’t recognize the thrill of “getting away with something” as what it is in truth - an action that ultimately hurts the child himself.  I’ve gotten away with eating too much fudge at my parents’ holiday party as a kid.  The results weren’t pretty.

Children are taught to do what’s right simply because it’s right, and the backlash of doing what’s wrong may not immediately manifest itself.  They need rules because they don’t know how to think long term or to understand the consequences of their actions.  But I have to wonder, why are so many adults still trying to “get away with something,” to cut corners, to make off with something for nothing?

I’m not talking about doing something dishonest or morally wrong.  Rather, how often are we cheating ourselves?  If I’m getting away with something by having an extra cookie and skipping my workout, who’s paying the price?  I am, of course.  Just like the child, I fail to recognize that avoiding the notice of those who might judge me is meaningless.  Their judgement means nothing to my future health, happiness, spiritual life, and relationships.

When I competed in sports while growing up, my dad was forever telling me about professional athletes and their dedication when no one was watching.  They would be on the field hours before practice, drilling on their weak areas.  I didn’t have a lot of natural athletic ability, but my dad told me these stories so I would be encouraged to out practice my team mates and opponents.  Sometimes I would think, “If I were going to the Olympics, of course I would train like that,” or, “Sure, if this was my life’s goal, I would practice more,” but that rationale in any area of life breeds mediocrity.  The truly excellent think and act as though they’ve already achieved what they’re aiming toward, and then it’s only a matter of time before reality catches up.

Training yourself to keep your word to yourself when no one else is watching will set you apart in any area of life you apply yourself to.  It’s easy to give 100% in front of the coach, but far more difficult at 5:00AM in the cold before the sun has come up and all you can hear is your breath.

This blog has been, if nothing else, a practice in discipline for me.  My only deadlines are self imposed.  I am the only one who knows if what I write is truly the best I can do.  It may be a small victory and arguably insignificant, but last December I said I would write once a week for at least one year.  It’s December.  I haven’t decided what direction this blog will take from here, but it has been one practice of discipline and commitment to myself and no one else.  Give yourself that gift.  A lot of people make New Year’s Resolutions about now.  Don’t be afraid to make one for fear of failure.  Commit, and if you falter, get up and commit again.  Think of what’s possible next January if you take small, consistent steps regardless of who’s watching.

“Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept were toiling upward in the night.”  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow