more or less

more or less is usually a casual statement that you really don't care one way or the other, you're not sure or it really doesn't matter.

when you add intention to those words, here's what you get:

more of what I want.
less of what I don't want
definitive clarity

instead of being blase', it becomes an empowering emotional commitment;
a discipline that isn't about drudgery, but  rather devotion.

put that intention into action and you are unstoppable.







copyright 2011 Alisa Barry

celebrate the feast of faith and joy

{Faith is based on genuineness, trusting in yourself and your vision. 
You are not faking anything, and you are not trying to impress anybody. 

Faith inspires discipline, which is not based on punishment or arbitrary 

rules and authority, but rather on becoming thoroughly gentle and 

genuine.   Discipline guides you and shows you how to live in the 

warrior?s world. With this unwavering discipline, the warrior takes joy 

in the journey and joy in working with others. This joy is like music, 

which celebrates its own rhythm and melody. The celebration is 

continuous, in spite of the ups and downs of life.}


* quote by chogyam trungpa rinpoche





copyright 2010 Alisa Barry

discipline as a practice of devotion

devotion to our art
devotion to our work
devotion to our family
devotion to our well-being

it's about faith that what we are doing is meaningful
it's about mindfulness in the practice of what we undertake
it's about showing up with ourselves as our offering.





copyright 2010 Alisa Barry

discipline as dharma

when we think of discipline, most of us release an audible heavy sigh. the thought of another to-do, thing to get done, is not what we want to add to our life list.

i think we've got it all wrong. discipline is not about the drudgery of excruciatingly hard work. it is the art of right effort. faith inspires our desire to have the discipline to do what needs to be done. it's about taking time to do what really matters; those things that connect us to our faith, and our faith is our one true love. whatever you believe in matters not, it matters that you are true to your Self, and yet you honor something greater with devotion. discipline is our dharma. our work on the path, the path of right effort, where everything aligns effortlessly and we begin to recognize the essence of who we are.





copyright 2009 Alisa Barry

do you have the discipline to be free?

it's not about what we can get
it's about what we can give

where do you put your attention?






copyright 2009 Alisa Barry