Friday, June 19, 2026
Restriction is a way of loving yourself. Restriction is a loving gesture. Learn the wonderful art of restriction, and great things can happen in small spaces.
One tiny example is this blog. I restrict myself to 310 words, give or take. I’ve mentioned this before, and I don’t know how it came to be, but it has helped to refine my writing. Many ministers and meeting speakers would do themselves a favor if they learned the restrictive arts.
I’m learning to do this with my speeches. I have found it hard to limit myself on YouTube. I’d like to get my videos to under 20 minutes. Refinement is key. I tend to repeat myself. No need to blather.
Calorie restriction has also been one of the most loving gestures for self-love. Alcohol restriction has been life changing. Noise restriction has been something I never thought would be so helpful. Restricting mind clutter – another key to freedom. Restricting my availability to everyone at any time has given me aliveness I once lost. I can’t be helpful if I’m always available, jumping at every ding and inbox notification or posting. That little bell is a driving master and we jump. Social media died in my life 11 years ago.
Love seems limitless, but the most loving thing you can do is contemplate restriction to regain consciousness. We restrict children all the time. Why? Because we love them. I love myself too much to eat fried foods, greasy pizza, gorge on sweets, devour chips, etc. I love myself too much to give myself away to the enslaving ding notification and people who “need” me.
How much you love yourself will correlate to how available you are to everything and everyone. Be an enigma. Be mysterious. Be aloof.
Once you reclaim, you can re-engage, but carry an umbrella. Too much rain makes you soggy.
The restrictive art of being an enigma is very refined indeed.