Self-discipline is the Best Medicine

Among the fruit of the Spirit, the most difficult to exercise it seems is self-control. To reign over oneself to avoid what does not do good. There is a great need for self-discipline these days.  Considering the up and down flow of COVID 19 cases. By now, we should have made it second nature to wear masks and wash our hands or sanitize with alcohol. Apparently, that is not true to everyone. We still see a lot of people on the road, in public or private transportation uncaring and perennially complacent. No masks, at the least.

The transfer of the virus continues to be through inhalation or transfer through our eyes and mouth as the fastest entry to our lungs. Our skin has pores too that’s why keeping our bodies clean goes all the way. Clothes have to be sanitized.  The areas where there are small meetings, eating places, glasses, silverware, the entire ensemble at the kitchen and our homes.

Basic of all is the self.

When the restrictions go down, we also let our guards down. Then we once again bring the surge. And this will never end. The pandemic is like ebb and flow of the tide, unless we keep our disciplines at hand, mask, wash or sanitize and distance, we will continue living this way.

Now, we are aided with the vaccines. With emphasis on aided. For it is not the cure. It just helps in building our immune system. There are fruits and vegetables, a balanced diet where we can better our immunity daily but knowing how poor our eating habits are, we are not able to build up our inner warriors strong enough to fight the disease.

The setting up of liquor bans and limiting of social gathering is not because gathering or drinking alcoholic beverages is bad. It simply is a manifestation of the lack of self-discipline.  When in groups, being social, we forget to maintain that safe distance. We also become careless when we drink especially when we find passing the glass a symbol of brotherhood. This practice must be stopped. Tagay can be done without having to stick to just one glass. It is more sanitary to drink from your own glass, as what were taught since we were kids. That’s why at home, we used to have differently shaped glasses as I was growing up. Dad and mom had their own. Each of us siblings had our own differently shaped or sized glass that we chose so no one would use the other’s glass. Even our spoons were that way. I thought that odd when I was a kid. Now I see the wisdom.

This pandemic will continue without our adherence to basic protocols and we can never blame government for the continuance of the disease. This needs personal commitment to fight against.

In the malls, and even in offices, I sympathize with the guards who have to day in and day out remind people to wear their masks and put on their shields. The taking of the temperature in all entrances may be a bit superfluous but nevertheless it is okay to adhere to since a few minutes to pause to keep others and ourselves secure is not much of a hassle.

But best of all is still, being committed to your own health as you are to the health of others. And that is where self-awareness and discipline must be ingrained. Self-discipline is the best medicine.