Go for it, Stevers! I like your way of involving forum members in an accountability partnership. It challenges to action - and not just mental gymnastics.
Your title "giving up" did seem to suggest the thought of 'quitting' (maybe even on the program!). But by the end of your post I was seeing your meaning as more in the manner of 'sacrificing' - or depriving oneself of something pleasurable in order to do something of greater value to you. Unfortunately, this concept still seems to have an underlying negative feeling to it for me.
Somewhere in the middle of you post, however, I started reading it as 'giving UP' and feeling the impact of a new perspective. It reminded me of a story from the LDS scripture, The Book of Mormon, where a king was taught about the joy and hope of the gospel. His response was first a question - "What shall I do that I may have this [thing] of which thou has spoken?" Then an material sacrifice - "I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." Upon being advised that he must approach God in faith and repent of his sins, he '...cried mightily, saying:...wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will GIVE AWAY all my sins to know thee...' (emphasis added).
I see this as 'giving UP' - where participation in the former activities becomes insignificant in view of the new (higher) goal or purpose that has been opened to you. They are no longer particularly useful and you give them away in order to move up.
Now - my personal application... I have developed a pattern of sitting up at night doing puzzles until I doze off in my chair or writing e-mails until I notice that it is after midnight and I am exhausted. Then I rouse myself just enough to transfer to the bed without doing any particular closure to the day. I often get insufficient rest and feel disorganized and incomplete. I am going to 'give up' late nights and make 10pm a target for closing my day and getting to bed.
Looking forward to follow-up next week! May you create some success in your day!
Margaret Ida
