Wednesday, June 25, 2025

ACTIONS in Public & Private

                     

 Chapter 25


ACTIONS in Public & Private




Construction Stage 3.2   Concrete, steel, wood, glass, brick, mortar, and drywall

SAL Model Stage 3.2   Self-Action in Public


Construction Stage 3.3   Plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, and insulation 

SAL Model Stage 3.3   Self-Action in Private

 

Even the best blueprints are nothing more than paper and ink until someone starts to animate them with action. Likewise, to realize your potential as a self-action leader, YOU must ACT.

Action spells the difference between success and failure, progress and stagnation, achievement and entropy. Action is what separates those who courageously traverse the thoroughways of growth and those who plod along the pathways of mediocrity.

A famous Notre Dame football coach—Lou Holtz—once noted: when all is said and done, more is usually said than done.  


"When all is said and done, more is usually said than done."

—Lou Holtz


Sadly, Coach Holtz is right—most people tend to talk more than they act when it comes to just about everything in their lives. 

But self-action leaders are different.

Self-action leaders ACT more than they talk, and they always back up their talk with ACTION.  

There are two kinds of ACTION: public actions and private actions. In the SAL construction metaphor, public actions refer to the things we say and do in view of others. Such actions are analogous to building a skyscraper's exterior with materials such as: precast concrete, steel, wood, glass, brick, stone, mortar, drywall, paint, et cetera—those parts of a building that will be either structurally essential or readily visible to the public after the building is finished. 

Private actions refer to the things we think about, say, and do when no one else is looking. Such actions are analogous to building a skyscraper's interior, which includes: plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, and insulation—those parts of a building that will eventually be hidden from the public view.  

Every ACTION—including thoughts, words, and deeds—you take as a self-action leader matters.

Why?

Because every action comes with consequences attached thereto. In the words of the great seventeenth century mathematician, Sir Isaac Newton: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction


"To every action there is an

equal and opposite reaction."

—Isaac Newton


While Newton's famous THIRD LAW of MOTION may apply more perfectly and precisely in the natural world than the human and social world, it remains a general truism in every aspect of our lives, and serves to remind us that everything we do (and don't do) carries consequences—whether we know it or not and whether we like it or not. 

Some of our decisions will be made in public for others to see. But many, and perhaps most, of our actions will occur beyond the purview of other people. This does not make them any less important. In fact, in some ways it makes them even more important. After all, no sensible human being is going to ignore the important—even essential—need and value of indoor plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, and insulation in any modern skyscraper.   

When I was attending college at Utah Valley University back in 2001-2003, I attended a speech given by Steve Young—one of the most famous and successful professional football players in the history of the NFL (National Football League). This Hall of Fame quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers has two (2) MVP awards and three (3) Super Bowl rings. An avid sports fan myself, you can imagine how rapt my attention was that day during Young's address. 

Of all the things Young said that day, ONE thing in particular was forever burned into my long-term memory. He told us that no matter how famous, rich, or successful a person may become, the majority of their time will still be spent away from the cameras and onlooking eyes of other people. 

Young went on to describe the countless hours he spent as a kid and teenager throwing a football through an old tire in the backyard of his parent's home in Connecticut. According to Young, most of the efforts and sacrifices he made to become a professional football player were made out of the sight of others, and every single one of them contributed to the fame, honor, riches, and success he eventually earned on the gridiron as a football player and off the field as an author, Juris Doctor, and on-air sports personality and commentator.

And that is to say nothing of his wonderful family.  

Young was trying to teach us that what YOU and I do in PRIVATE really matters, because it will have a tremendous effect (for good or ill) on what happens to us in PUBLIC. It is one of the great lessons that Stephen R. Covey so often taught in his work: that private victories always precede public victories. (1)


"Private victories always precede Public victories."

Stephen R. Covey


Private victories lead to the establishment of strong character and reliable integrity. The time and effort you invest in developing an integrity-based character will tremendously influence both your private and public actions. When you have integrity, you do your best and choose the right whether anyone else is looking on—or not—and you do it for three distinct reasons. 

First, you do your best and choose the right because you understand that everything hidden eventually comes to light in one way (and at one time) or another. Second, and much more importantly, you do your best and choose the right because it's the right thing to do, and it would pain your conscience far too much to do anything otherwise. Third, you do your best and choose the right because you understand that unresolved issues and problems only get worse over time. Thus, by the time a private problem becomes public, it's usually much larger and more embarrassing and difficult to fix than if you had just addressed the matter privately while it was still small. 

Fixing large problems is a full-time job—it is what people hire "image consultants" for. Wouldn't it be better, easier, and more affordable to just live in a way that ensures you won't need an image overhaul in the first place?  

By identifying, troubleshooting, and solving private problems before they become public, self-action leaders can save themselves from a heap of heartache and hurt.

To reiterate the words of Ezra Taft Benson, a member of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Presidential Cabinet from 1953-1961: It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent. (2)


"It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent."

Ezra Taft Benson


Using Time Wisely

Your power to ACT is aided by your possession of TIME. 

Benjamin Franklin famously wrote: Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of.  


"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of."

Benjamin Franklin


Time is a great existential equalizer.

It doesn't care if you are tall or short, rich or poor, enslaved or free, healthy or sick, old or young, male or female, Black or white, Asian, Hispanic, or an Islander. No matter who you are (or aren't) everyone gets exactly 24 hours of time every day of their lives. 

No one possesses the power to stop the minutes and hours from passing, and no one can save a single second for another day. Everyone on the planet must spend every last millisecond each and every day.

As my older brother Joe—a philosophical fellow like myself—once remarked: "If there is one thing I'm absolutely certain of, it's the onward march of time." 

Joe is right...

TIME is sovereign over our lives, and there is nothing we can do about its certain passage—as well as our certain passage, in due time.  

Given this fact and reality, the lingering question at hand should always be very simple and straightforward as follows: What are you going to do with the time you have been given


What are YOU going to DO with the TIME you have been given?


In addition to our sure knowledge that our time in this world is limited, we also have no idea how much of it we each have left. You might have 50 more years, 50 more days, or 50 more hours. None of us ever knows for sure precisely when our mortal lives will end. We only know that eventually it will end—at least in a physical, mortal sense as we know and understand ourselves in this world.  

Unlike money and other resources, you cannot buy or trade for more time—although wise choices and healthy habits increase your potential to maximize whatever time you have been allotted.  

Self-action leaders inherently value time and seek to use it efficiently, effectively, positively, productively, and wisely. They want to build relationships and achieve things that they (and others) will be proud of. They also want to serve and benefit others in ways that will leave a lasting legacy that will positively reverberate in the lives of others for generations to come after they have passed away. 

Time is the universal canvas upon which we each paint our lives. 

What colors and styles will you use? 

When you someday complete your painting, will it be beautiful or drab, memorable or meaningless, fabulous or forgettable?  

I hope the painting of your life will prove to be YOUR own personal masterpiece—your magnum opus. And I hope further that it will be equal to your boundless capacity and endless potential as a human being. 


Motivation Drives Action and Action Drives Motivation

Many human actions are driven by naturally-occurring, internal motivations.

For example, you are motivated to eat because your physical body feels hungry or because your mind is bored or your emotions are negatively agitated. You are motivated to go to work because you have bills to pay and/or because want to excel and be recognized for your education, effort, skills, and talents. You are motivated to go see a movie, play, or sporting event because you want to relax, be entertained, or fuel your competitive spirit.  

Some actions, however—like doing what is right when you don't feel like it—require a Kantian good will to engage and complete. 

Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790
The good news is that taking action when you don't feel like it often leads to feeling like it over time. At very least, you are apt to find such actions easier than when you first began. Hence the old adage of Benjamin Franklin: well begun is half done


"Well begun is half done."

Benjamin Franklin


The truth of this statement is not found in its literal interpretation: starting a task does not mean the job is 50% complete. But it does mean that taking ACTION generates momentum, power, and motivation that you did not originally possess (feel). 

I have discovered a practical application of this truism in the art of getting up in the morning. As I previously mentioned, I am not a morning person, naturally speaking. Indeed, I dislike getting out of bed most mornings; chances are good that YOU can relate! 

However, after the first several minutes (or occasionally hours) of misery have passed and I'm fully awake, I'm usually okay—sometimes for the rest of the day and well into the evening. I confess that more often than not, I find that I—like Winston Churchill and others—need at least one nap to help me get through my day, and I don't like waking up from naps either! Nevertheless, once I am passed those initially onerous moments of somnolent lethargy, I do eventually come alive and get back into the swing of things.

A lot of things in life operate in much the same manner.

We aren't always initially motivated to do something; but ACTION is a natural elixir that tends to increase our motivation once we are fully engaged in an activity or task.  

Another example of action as a natural elixir comes from my full-time missionary service in Alberta, Canada, back at the turn-of-the-century (1999-2001). One of the least desirable tasks I routinely engaged in as a missionary involved proselyting (canvassing) my faith door-to-door to complete strangers. We called this work activity "TRACTING." 

For my entire mission, I almost always dreaded tracting. It was, in many ways, the least pleasant task I did as a missionary. Despite doing a lot of tracting on my mission (12 hours per week for 2 straight years), I can't remember a single day when I felt a natural inclination or inherent motivation to go tracting. 

Nevertheless, despite my natural—and lingering—aversion to canvassing, cold calling, direct sales, or anything similar, I successfully completed over a thousand hours of door-to-door proselying during my 2-year missionary service. 

That's a lot of door knocking!

In conjunction with our tracting efforts, we also did a lot of "Street Contacting," which was essentially the same thing as tracting, but instead of knocking on people's home doors, we would approach them on a street corner, sidewalk, parking lot, et cetera when we were out and about in public.  

Between tracting and street contacting, I spoke to many thousands of complete strangers over the course of my two-year missionary service. These duties were hard for me, and I didn't particularly like either of them, but I managed to complete the tasks anyway. 

So, what is the point of this story? 

While I never learned to inherently enjoy or love tracting or street contacting, I discovered something interesting about both activities. My dread of starting out was almost always more odious and unpleasant than actually doing it. In other words, the simple act of STARTING produced a measure of motivation that made it seem not as bad as I always feared it would be. This self-produced motivation in-turn provided me with the momentum I needed to complete my assigned allotment of tracting each day and week. 

This doesn't mean I grew to enjoy or love tracting; believe me, I never did!

Nevertheless, by simply willing myself to ACT, I was able to successfully fulfill my most difficult and unpleasant duties and obligations as a missionary. This was important to me because these actions were aligned with my faith in and love of God and mankind, whom I believe are my spiritual kin. In the process, I had many wonderful adventures, made many special memories, faced my fears, developed personal confidence, and met a whole host of interesting and unique people with whom I had a variety of mutually-beneficial conversations.  

And a few of them even became permanent friends!  

By applying this same Kantian Good Will to other areas of my life (including my education, career, relationships, physical fitness, emotional intelligence, etc.) I've been similarly empowered to push through difficult and unsavory tasks to earn the achievement and satisfaction that can only come after my willingness to sacrifice my time and effort on the altar of the less-desirable, but necessary tasks.  

The point is this...

If you don't feel like doing something you know you should do, then will yourself to ACT until you do feel like it. Movement produces momentum, which, in-turn maximizes motivation and promotes progress. If you are willing to push through the initial pain, you'll find that even the most burdensome and unpleasant tasks usually aren't as bad as you thought they would be prior to starting.

Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790
In the end, you may even find yourself enjoying aspects of such duties once you're fully engaged in actually doing them.

I often do!

Whether it is cleaning the bathroom, washing the dishes, vacuuming the car, or tracting as a missionary, I always end up enjoying various aspects of every activity I initially dread—but the enjoyment comes only after I am busily engaged in the task. As a result, such activities rarely turn out to be as unpleasant as I envisioned them prior to getting started. Perhaps this is precisely why Poor Richard quipped that: well begun in half done.  


"Well begun is half done."

Benjamin Franklin


Life is a lot like a sporting event or an athletic season. 

In sports, momentum isn't created so much by the pregame pep talk or timeout team huddle as it is by making actual physical progress on the court/field/rink/track/etc. It is tangible, positive results that create momentum, which, in-turn, often leads to productivity, progress, and eventually victory. It is scoring or other positive progress that builds momentum. But you can't score a point or make positive progress without first taking ACTION.

In life, as in sports, taking action usually carries a measure of risk that you might falter, fail, lose, or even embarrass yourself. Thus, to succeed in scoring a point or realizing any other positive objective, you must be willing to face any fears of failure that may be preventing you from taking action.

That requires COURAGE. 

But remember: Courage is not the absence of fear; it is action in the face of fear. As the famous Western actor, John Wayne, once personally put it: courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.  


"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway."

John Wayne


The same principle holds true for turning around negative results. You have to first take courageous and corrective actions in the present if you want to obtain positive results in the future. It doesn't do any good to keep moving forward if you are on the wrong road or traveling in the wrong direction. You must first get your bearings, reorient yourself, turn around, and begin making progress in the right direction—it is the only way to eventually arrive at your desired destination.  

Given: it takes COURAGE to do thatBut oftentimes the courage to act is the only way up and out of a dilemma, problem, or snafu.

So, what are you waiting for?  

Get moving, and in the words of Nike:

Just

     Do

          It!    





In Your Journal

  • To what extent do your private thoughts speech, and actions match up with your public speech and actions? Are there any discrepancies between the two? Spoiler alert: YOU are human, so the answer is YES! Journal on this subject by identifying at least ONE key mismatch between your private and public actions, and what you are willing to do to strengthen your integrity by closing this gap beginning today.  

  • What is something you could do TODAY (or before the end of the week) to exercise greater discipline and/or integrity in your private actions?

  • What is something you could do TODAY (or before the end of the week) to exercise greater kindness, consideration, compassion, or fairness in your public actions?

  • What is an action (private or public) you know you need to take, but have been procrastinating out of fear or laziness? Journal about this and then will yourself to take ACTION before the day (or week) is out.    


Dr. JJ

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA


Author's Note: This is the 465th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 258th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.   

Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 464 FF Blog Articles 

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL QUOTES  

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL POEMS   

Click HERE to access the FULL TEXT of Dr. JJ's Psalms of Life: A Poetry Collection

Click HERE for a complete listing of Self-Action Leadership Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Fitness, Heath, & Wellness Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Biographical & Historical Articles


Click HERE for a complete listing of Dr. JJ's Autobiographical Articles

.........................

Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.  

If you liked this blog post, please share it with your family, friends, colleagues, and students—and encourage them to bookmark this blog to access a new FREE article every Wednesday.



Click HERE to buy the SAL Textbooks


Chapter 25 Notes

1.  Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. New York, NY: Fireside.

2.  Benson, E.T. (1987). The Law of Chastity. Address delivered at Brigham Young University on October 13, 1987.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

SAL MASTER Challenge #22

 


SAL Master Challenge

EXERCISE  #22

Self-action leaders are SELF-DISCIPLINED


Complete at least TWO (2) of the following four (4) exercises:


1. For a full month (30 consecutive days), discipline yourself to wake up at 6:30 a.m. (or earlier) and spend one full hour reading, writing, pondering, meditating, memorizing, praying, walking, or a combination of these activities before you go to school, work, or do any other activities. Do NOT use any technology during this time unless you are using an electronic device for reading or writing (typing) purposes. 



Day 1:_____     Day 2:_____     Day 3:_____     Day 4:_____     Day 5:_____     Day 6:_____ 


Day 7:_____     Day 8:_____     Day 9:_____     Day 10:_____     Day 11:_____     Day 12:_____ 


Day 13:_____     Day 14:_____     Day 15:_____     Day 16:_____     Day 17:_____     Day 18:_____ 


Day 19:_____     Day 20:_____     Day 12:_____     Day 22:_____     Day 23:_____     Day 24:_____ 


Day 25:_____     Day 26:_____     Day 27:_____     Day 28:_____     Day 29:_____     Day 30:_____ 



2.  Fast from food for two consecutive meals (20 hours minimum) once a week for FIVE (5) consecutive weeks (minimum requirement).  If you are feeling extra ambitious, abstain from food and water for 24 hours once a week for five consecutive weeks.  


Week 1 Fast:_____    Week 2 Fast:_____    Week 3 Fast:_____    Week 4 Fast:_____    Week 5 Fast:_____ 


3.  In a ONE month (30-day) period, physically work out for 60-minutes on 25 different days. Include elements of strength, cardio, and stretching exercises into your workout routine.


  Day 1:_____     Day 2:_____     Day 3:_____     Day 4:_____     Day 5:_____    


Day 6:_____     Day 7:_____     Day 8:_____     Day 9:_____     Day 10:_____


Day 11:_____     Day 12:_____     Day 13:_____     Day 14:_____     Day 15:_____


Day 16:_____     Day 17:_____     Day 18:_____     Day 19:_____     Day 20:_____ 


Day 21:_____     Day 22:_____     Day 23:_____     Day 24:_____     Day 25:_____ 



4.  Sign the CHASTITY Pledge below and then demonstrate integrity to your pledge for at least six (6) months in order to complete the SAL Master Challenge.  


I hereby commit to refrain from sexual activity prior to marriage.

I further commit to upholding complete sexual fidelity to my spouse after marriage. 





___________________________________________
Print Name






___________________________________________
Signature






_______________________
Date

 




I have completed the SAL Master Challenge EXERCISE #22


Your initials:__________         AP initials:__________



Dr. JJ

Tuesday, June 18, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA


Author's Note: This is the 464th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 257th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.   

Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 463 FF Blog Articles 

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL QUOTES  

Click HERE for a complete listing of Freedom Focused SAL POEMS   

Click HERE to access the FULL TEXT of Dr. JJ's Psalms of Life: A Poetry Collection

Click HERE for a complete listing of Self-Action Leadership Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Fitness, Heath, & Wellness Articles

Click HERE for a complete listing of Biographical & Historical Articles


Click HERE for a complete listing of Dr. JJ's Autobiographical Articles

.........................

Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.  

If you liked this blog post, please share it with your family, friends, colleagues, and students—and encourage them to bookmark this blog to access a new FREE article every Wednesday.



Click HERE to buy the SAL Textbooks

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Self-Discipline

                    

 Chapter 24


Self-Discipline



Construction Stage 3.1   Punctually showing up to the work site

SAL Model Stage 3.1   Self-discipline



"Success is a few simple disciplines 

practiced every day."

*****

"Failure is a few simple disciplines

neglected every day."

Jim Rohn


Self-discipline is akin to punctually showing up to a construction site sober, well-rested, properly dressed, and fully-equipped to provide a full-day's work with a good attitude. 

Nothing is going to happen if you aren't prepared and committed to work. 

This sounds simple enough in theory. But in actual practice, many people find it challenging. I am one of them. 

For example, I'm not naturally a "Morning Person," and never have been. Sometimes I envy those who are! One of the more difficult SAL exercises I've ever engaged—and I've engaged it about 13,000 times or so to date in my life—is getting up earlier in the morning than I would naturally like. 

Doing so is hard for me.

I'm sure many (if not most) of you reading this right now can relate!

Nevertheless, difficult or not, if I am going to meet my obligations as a husband, father, writer, speaker, teacher, church leader and achieve the goals I have set for myself, my family, my church flock, and Freedom Focused, I have limited choices in the matter. 

I simply have to get up most mornings at an earlier time than I am naturally inclined.

This doesn't mean I don't ever get to sleep in. Rest assured, I welcome—and take advantage of—every chance I get to do that. But the fact is that on most days, I do not have, nor would I even want, such an overrated luxury.

As Benjamin Franklin once pithily put it: He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night. Franklin further stated: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise


"He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night."

Benjamin Franklin


"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Benjamin Franklin


Self-discipline is crucial to SAL success and Existential Growth; it's also one of the most difficult skills for most people to master. As Thomas Huxley once wrote: 

"The most valuable result of all education is to make you do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not. It is the first lesson that ought to be learned. And however early a [person's] training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he [or she] learns thoroughly." (1)

Whether it is getting up in the morning, being punctual, meeting deadlines, keeping up with your exercise and nutrition, following through with your commitments, or making good on your promises, self-discipline is an absolute prerequisite for success, Existential Growth, and inner peace.  

When you reflect back on the most time-consuming and meaningful achievements and relationships in your career and life, you doubtless exercised a lot of self-discipline in realizing those objectives. No matter who you are, nothing of lasting significance can be achieved without self-discipline.

If you desire higher levels of Existential Growth, YOU must become increasingly self-disciplined along the way. This includes efficiently and effectively managing your schedule and time, your dress and grooming, your work habits, your down-time, your sleep, your fitness and nutrition, and perhaps most importantly—your emotions, associations, and communication skills and etiquette.

One of my favorite poems provides me with a continual reminder of the importance of exercising self-discipline and inner strength in my life.  


Be Strong

          Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift.
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it. 'Tis God's gift.

          Be strong!
Say not the days are evil,—whose to blame?
And fold the hands and acquiesce—O shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name.

          Be strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day, how long.
Faint not, fight on! To-morrow comes the song. (2)


Self-Denial

Self-denial is an important component of self-discipline. 

In the sage prose of the great English poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson: the happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence, but in the mastery, of his passions


"The happiness of a person in this life does not consist in the absence,

[or overindulgence], but in the mastery of one's passions."

Alfred Tennyson


Self-action leaders are neither ascetic nor hermetic; their continual aim is balance and moderation. 

However, there are times and/or seasons in everyone's life when complete self-denial is appropriate for a specific purpose and period of time.

If you always give in to every natural feeling or urge, you will lose your battle with Existential Gravity. Unbridled self-indulgence leads to a destructive hedonism that spawns diffidence and low self-worth. It may also lead to addiction and other health problems. In extreme cases, it may even lead to criminal activity, incarceration, or premature death.  

There are many different ways to practice SELF-DENIAL.

Two (2) practices that have produced enormous benefits in my life are CHASTITY and FASTING. 

Chastity is abstinence from sexual activity before marriage and complete fidelity to one's spouse after marriage.


CHASTITY

Abstinence from sexual activity before marriage and
complete fidelity to one's spouse after marriage.


Upholding such a high standard of sexual behavior can be challenging—especially in our 21st century culture, which not only condones, but glamorizes sexual concupiscence and promiscuity—but always remember that difficult is not synonymous with impossible

As a human being, YOU are capable of doing hard things. 

Living a chaste life has enabled me to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. It has also kept me safe from avoidable mental, emotional, and spiritual baggage in both my premarital dating relationships and my marriage. Moreover, it has made the intimacy I enjoy with my wife precious, special, and superlatively singular because I have never had any other sexual partners. It has also strengthened the love and trust that we share. Lastly, I have proved to myself that I can overcome lust and temptation to always be true to my wife, come what may. 

Simply stated, chaste living leads to confident, happy, successful, and drama-free living.  

Fasting is defined as abstaining from food and/or water and other beverages for a period of time.


FASTING

Abstaining from food and/or water and other beverages for a period of time.


I practice two (2) different types of fasting: INTERMITTENT fasting and RELIGIOUS fasting.

I practice intermittent fasting for health reasons and to manage my weight. Most of my intermittent fasting involves abstaining from food (only) for one or two consecutive meals. Once-in-a-while, I will fast from food (only) for longer periods of time (up to five consecutive meals).  

I practice religious fasting for spiritual reasons, including to help others (or myself) with specific needs or desires. For me, religious fasting involves abstaining from food and water for two (2) consecutive meals and incorporates prayer and a charitable financial donation to my church that goes to help those in need of temporary assistance.   

Aside from the well-documented physical benefits—and anecdotal spiritual benefits—of fasting, I have discovered further that fasting bolsters my self-confidence and builds my self-esteem. It is one way in which I show my body who is boss. It reinforces the belief I have that I can control my physical appetites and urges; I don't have to be a slave to my body, despite the powerful influences they regularly wield.  

Despite my successes in these aspects of self-denial, I am still far from perfect. Indeed, I still struggle with many elements of self-denial and self-discipline in my own life. In fact, I fall short in one area or another every single day of my life. Moderating my consumption of food and liquids is particularly challenging for me.

I don't smoke anything and I abstain completely from alcoholic beverages.

But I eat too much sugar, fast food, and soda.

In making this confession, I do NOT wish to insinuate that YOU, I, or anyone else should abstain completely from eating sweets, treats, soda, or fast food. I am merely advocating for balance, moderation, and overall good health practices.  

Self-discipline is an ongoing battle for even the most self-controlled and valiant-spirited among us. Nevertheless, the importance and value of self-discipline and self-denial is clear and indisputable.

I always benefit from any and every exercise of self-discipline and self-denial. 

And I always suffer the consequences—eventually, in one way or another—of failing to do so. 

Though I'm not perfect by any measure, I have had enough success in this area to gain a burning conviction of a GREAT TRUTH: self-discipline, self-denial, and obedience to True Principles rooted in Universal Laws doesn't lead to a life of bondage as many voices throughout the world audibly suggest.

In reality, the exact opposite is true: self-discipline is the only road to Existential Growth and FREEDOM.


"Deny self, for self's sake."

Benjamin Franklin





SAL Master Challenge

EXERCISE  #22



Complete at least TWO (2) of the following four (4) exercises:


1. For a full month (30 consecutive days), discipline yourself to wake up at 6:30 a.m. (or earlier) and spend one full hour reading, writing, pondering, meditating, memorizing, praying, walking, or a combination of these activities before you go to school, work, or do any other activities. Do NOT use any technology during this time unless you are using an electronic device for reading or writing (typing) purposes. 



Day 1:_____     Day 2:_____     Day 3:_____     Day 4:_____     Day 5:_____     Day 6:_____ 


Day 7:_____     Day 8:_____     Day 9:_____     Day 10:_____     Day 11:_____     Day 12:_____ 


Day 13:_____     Day 14:_____     Day 15:_____     Day 16:_____     Day 17:_____     Day 18:_____ 


Day 19:_____     Day 20:_____     Day 12:_____     Day 22:_____     Day 23:_____     Day 24:_____ 


Day 25:_____     Day 26:_____     Day 27:_____     Day 28:_____     Day 29:_____     Day 30:_____ 



2.  Fast from food for two consecutive meals (20 hours minimum) once a week for FIVE (5) consecutive weeks (minimum requirement).  If you are feeling extra ambitious, abstain from food and water for 24 hours once a week for five consecutive weeks.  


Week 1 Fast:_____    Week 2 Fast:_____    Week 3 Fast:_____    Week 4 Fast:_____    Week 5 Fast:_____ 


3.  In a ONE month (30-day) period, physically work out for 60-minutes on 25 different days. Include elements of strength, cardio, and stretching exercises into your workout routine.


  Day 1:_____     Day 2:_____     Day 3:_____     Day 4:_____     Day 5:_____    


Day 6:_____     Day 7:_____     Day 8:_____     Day 9:_____     Day 10:_____


Day 11:_____     Day 12:_____     Day 13:_____     Day 14:_____     Day 15:_____


Day 16:_____     Day 17:_____     Day 18:_____     Day 19:_____     Day 20:_____ 


Day 21:_____     Day 22:_____     Day 23:_____     Day 24:_____     Day 25:_____ 



4.  Sign the CHASTITY Pledge below and then demonstrate integrity to your pledge for at least six (6) months in order to complete the SAL Master Challenge.  


I hereby commit to refrain from sexual activity prior to marriage.

I further commit to upholding complete sexual fidelity to my spouse after marriage. 





___________________________________________
Print Name






___________________________________________
Signature






_______________________
Date

 




I have completed the SAL Master Challenge EXERCISE #22


Your initials:__________         AP initials:__________


 

Dr. JJ

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA


Author's Note: This is the 463rd Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013 and the 256th consecutive weekly blog published since August 31, 2020.   

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Chapter 24 Notes

1.  Mandino, O. (1978). The Greatest Secret in the World. New York, NY: Bantam Books. Page vii. 

2.  Babcock, M.D. (1901). Thoughts for Every-day Living: From the Spoken and Written Words of Maltbie Davenport Babcock. Google Books version. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons. Page 168. 





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