Day

5: On Enslavement to Sel f
Before complaining that you are a slave to another, be sure that you are not
a slave to self. Look within; you will find there, perchance, slavish thoughts,
slavish desires, and in your daily life and conduct slavish habits. Conquer these;
cease to be a slave to self, and no man will have the power to enslave you.
—James Allen 5

It’s easy to delegate the responsibility for our lives and choices to other
people.
It’s not your fault that you can’t stick to a diet — it’s because your friends
constantly tempt you to grab something to eat with them.
It’s not your fault that you can’t control your finances — it’s those evil
corporations that spend millions on advertising and leave you powerless to
change.
It’s not that you lack willpower to exercise — people always want
something from you and you never have the time to develop this healthy habit.
In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. While external
circumstances can affect you, in the end, whether or not they control your life
depends on you. Just like James Allen said, when you achieve self-mastery, no
one (and no thing) will have the power to enslave you.
The next time you blame an external factor for your lack of self-discipline,
think again. Was it the person eating chocolate next to you who controlled what
you put in your mouth, or was it you?