Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly Wednesday blog which examines pillars of personal excellence and regularly brings together the worlds of spirituality and sport.
Discipline
“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.”-Colossians 2:5
Tolerance
Discipline brings delight. That’s what we see in the heart of the apostle Paul as he wrote to the church at Colossae. He saw that their lives were becoming more ordered and it was pleasing to his eyes as a spiritual leader.
As Trinidad and Tobago, like Jamaica, celebrates its diamond jubilee this year, 60 years of independence, it is opportune to reflect on its three watchwords. We have recently celebrated the golden feats of athletes like Jereem Richards and Nicholas Paul. Today we salute the entire nation.
Here is a brief excerpt from my book Unbeatable! Seven Pillars of Personal Excellence where I reflected on our watchwords: “My country of citizenship, Trinidad and Tobago, has three interesting national watchwords: A. Discipline B. Tolerance C. Production
These are admirable building blocks for any society…Watchwords one and three, Discipline and Production, are connected. The ability to produce is very much dependent on our level of discipline.”
I went on to address my own views as to where we needed to grow as a country, but continue to keep in mind that, like individuals, sovereign territories are also on a journey towards maturity.
I thank God for every person that has helped to build up our beautiful twin-island. From politician to religious leader, athlete to entertainer, matriarch to patriarch, you have all done your part. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) are well aware of how much more disciplined we can become, how much more tolerant we can be of each other’s shortcomings and what potential for productivity exists in the present and future. Today is the ideal day to renew our commitment to nation-building.
Happy 60th Independence, sweet T&T!
Production
May God grant our nation the grace to live productive lives in service to him and to our neighbour.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
