Selbstdisziplin

There was a very interesting and well-written article in the latest Zeit Magazin Leben about self discipline or often the lack thereof… I am paraphrasing but one of the central arguments was that many people make themselves comfortable in a life where their daily routine is determined by the ruthless clock of a corporation or family life… the flipside would be a life of complete self determination of a free lancer which, however, would bring with it the responsibility to create something, to use the freedom to make the best of someone’s life, of someone’s potential and abilities…

…and this is the irony of today’s world: never has there been more freedom for individuals (of course, I am talking mainly of Western societies), who are less and less bound to social, ethical or geographical restrictions… but often are those more depressed and anxious or feel angst (“Lebensangst”) who have the luxury of freedom than those who are slaving away in a pre-determined rhythm …the fear to bear the responsibilities for their own lives and in particular for what one does not achieve seems to weigh heavy on individuals…