Monday, August 03, 2009

Are you self controlled?

A week Sunday, 16th, I'm speaking in church with Chris. It's part of a series on the fruit of the Spirit and we're rounding it off with self control. (As Chris said, they saved the best i.e. me, till last. Not!)

Helen suggested I ask my blog readers what they think of when they hear the words self control so that's what I'm doing.

What comes to your mind? For me it's maltesers but that's me. Is it necessarily a negative - I mustn't do this - thing? Or are there positive aspects to self control? Can it be learned? What's the opposite of self controlled? Can you be too self controlled? Are you self controlled? Or do you inevitably take things to excess?

I'd love to know what you think about any of this so please tell.

14 comments:

James Higham said...

Piles of Blue Riband 18 packs.

Mauigirl said...

I think I am not very self controlled. I think of it as mostly positive, to be self controlled. It doesn't necessarily mean denying yourself all of life's pleasures. It means being able to do things in moderation. In my case, it is sometimes difficult. I either like to have a glass or two of wine every day or else I quit altogether - I don't seem to be able to just do it once in awhile. I'm not an alcoholic (I do manage to keep it to just one or two) but it's either daily or nothing. Which is why it's so hard for me to lose weight. You can't just quit eating altogether!

I did quit smoking 28 years ago. That I have no problem with. They've made it so difficult and people are such pariahs now if they smoke, that I have no temptation to take it up again!

Of course, self control is more than just a tendency to addiction. I am also a procrastinator and am late to everything. So obviously I have little self control when it comes to being distracted by things that prevent me from doing what I should. Sigh. I think I need more self control!

Annie Forrester Barker said...

Liz:
What a wonderful question! When I think of self control it usually centers around the concept of power. Self v. Another in charge of the decision making process. Sad to say I tend to let myself run riot on some things while containing myself in a professional situation. Can't wait to hear what you come up with. Please post your sermon.
Cheers!

Liz Hinds said...

I didn't see you as a Blue Riband man, james.

Procrastination indeed, mauigirl: if i were more self-controlled I would be in bed now and not blogging!

I think that's interesting, annie, the point about professional self-control and running riot. It's something we can choose to be or not.

CherryPie said...

I am quite good a self control unless something puts me out of sorts...

Puss-in-Boots said...

I'm a pretty easy going sort of person. I don't lose my self control much mainly because when someone does something that could cause me to lose it, I'm usually so surprised that I don't do anything. Afterwards, I think of all the things I could have said (or done).

The few times I've totally lost my self control I have felt physically ill afterwards, so it's not something I like doing. But it takes a hell of a lot to get me to that stage. Usually I just laugh...

Lindsay said...

I am far too self controlled - This ends up in anxiety - I need to relx more and take life as it comes - but it is hard to do!

nick said...

Self control, that's a huge subject, what to say in a few sentences? A certain amount of self control is good, to behave sensibly, think things through properly, not get over-emotional. Too little and you get reckless and irresponsible, too much and you get over-cautious and don't enjoy life. You can definitely learn it but only up to the point your natural temperament allows. How's that?

Liz Hinds said...

And maybe that's when we need it most, cherrypie?

I can identify with that, puss. It's not worth it!

I'm not sure if I'm self-controlled or easy-going, lindsay!

Nicely summed up, nick. You wnat to come and give the talk instead of me? Please!

Rose said...

What a funny picture of George! If I were answering this for Sophie, I would say she has no self-control. Also never give a dog the cob after you've eaten sweet corn...but that's another story.

Anyway, I think I have a lot of self-control, except when it comes to food, especially chocolate and other sweets, which is why I'm constantly bemoaning my figure. On the other hand, I believe in delayed gratification. I can wait until everyone else in the family has opened their Christmas presents before opening mine. Or I can wait for 5 years for Husband to get around to fixing the broken door; I guess that's why we have stayed married so long:)

Berni said...

I think somewhere along the line I must have prayed a bit too hard for self control because now I am a diabetic I have to be or get really ill. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. He was kind though I don't like sweet things particularly and would rather eat salty or spicy foods dripping in cream and I am permitted to do so on my Ketogenic diet.
I don't think God ever meant self-control to be difficult, it is we who make it so by not surrendering to Him but it is so hard to let go of our control and let Him work his control into our self.

Furtheron said...

Inability - that is what springs to mind for me. Obvious I suppose given my background. Funny in many things I am very self controlled but in some so bad I have to admit that and hand over the control to something else. As you know my story clearly alcohol is the problem button - it is simple though just don't touch it but I still don't have the control myself on that...

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I'm all for excess myself.

Anonymous said...

Hеllo Τhеre. I discοvеred уour blog
the use оf msn. Τhat is an extremely neаtly wгitten article.

I ωill be sure to bookmark it аnd return to learn
mоrе οf yοur helpful іnfo.

Τhank you for the post. I will сertainly cοmеbаck.


mу blog post ... dfw seo