Mandalorian Challenge 100 Days + [OPEN]

Day 10.

I am now a Spirited Potential.

So far my daily goals are going well. Sleeping pattern is much better, still struggling to be in bed by 11 but certainly by midnight anyway. Up just after 7am. Sleep quality is starting to improve too.

Book is certainly eye-opening. I'm sure it's gonna be useful in helping me to see the reality of this, and how to move forward.

 

Day 11 checking in.

 

Day 12 checking in.

 

Day 13 checking in.

Every Man's Battle is going well so far. Recurring themes include:
- Our "maleness" makes us super susceptible to being caught up in sexual snares like P.
- It's no small thing. It's serious.
- We can get real sexual gratification through our eyes -> and in doing so, epinephrine is released into our bloodstream which helps the brain remember the image. It becomes seared into our memory. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenaline This is very different from women.
- Women do not understand this. Despite many understanding the basic idea that men are "more visual", they really don't understand it, having not experienced it.
- This aspect of our "maleness" is nothing to be ashamed of: we were made this way. We need to be aware of it though, and properly defend against being caught by it/controlled by it.
- Escaping the snare of P and other sexual vices is likely to be more physical than spiritual, that is, it’s about guarding our eyes more than guarding our heart. (although the latter does play a role IMO)

 

Day 15 checking in.

I humbly accept my Basic Armor, and rise to the position of Foundling.

 

Day 22 checking in.

I'm still reading Every Man's Battle each night and taking notes.

The main takeaway for me at the moment is to train yourself to avert your eyes, and take your thoughts captive to Christ. If you do this, you've taken away the spark from the engine. (For those here who aren't Christians, I'm sure you can see what they're getting at and apply as you need to - take your thoughts captive, don't let them wander freely to unhelpful things.)

Beyond this is the practical stuff - avoiding anything sexual in your life other than your own spouse - avoid things that make you think about it, that's movies and tv shows, music, or other situations likely to plant sexual images in your mind.

It also notes that M can be triggered from non-sexual things, especially stress or emotional hurt. We all learned this early on: the chemistry of the O mediates our pain. So that's the other side of the equation: learning to deal with our emotional pain. That is, both choosing healthy escapes if necessary, and unravelling what's causing the pain so we can deal with it.

 

Day 181 checking in. This is the way. Beyond 6 months now!

 

Day 24 checking in.

Breaking down those unhelpful neural pathways, one day at a time. Letting the helpful ones grow across them, over them, through them, until they're barely viewable anymore...

Well done @person person !!

 

Day 25 checking in.

 

Day 26 checking in.

Every Man's Battle is still going well. The latest chapter has been talking about strategies. Custom strategies. Nothing groundbreaking, just common sense stuff really. Most importantly, reminding me of what's most important. If my addictive pathways are currently craving P, then don't pick up the phone or turn in the computer or flick through the late night tv channels. It doesn't matter if you think you just want to check for messages. What's more important?

TLDR; Check your motives before you check your devices.

 

Day 28 checking in.

 

Day 187 checking in. This is the way.

 

Day 30 checking in.

I don the helmet.

 

Day 31 checking in.

 

Day 32 checking in.

This is the way.

 

Day 33 checking in.

 

Day 34 checking in.

Where are my Mandalorians at?

 

I'm back from my trip. Now day 39.

 

Day 43 checking in.

This is the way.

 

Day 44 checking in.

I had a bit of a shock tonight. I used one of my devices for the first time in months. When switching apps it showed me a preview of what I last had on the screen in one of the other apps: a despicable image.

I immediately closed that app (without displaying/opening it), and then cleared search history/made sure nothing was going to appear or trigger me in the future. But my mind has grabbed hold of that little thumbnail. I’m trying to get it out. Gonna pray and think about real beauty: sunsets, flowers, wild African beasts, the smallest of sea creatures…

Yesterday I was at the beach with a good friend, and she found a sea snail slithering along at the water’s edge. Beside it was a tiny hermit crab, and also a pipi that actually put its feet out and pushed itself away. I’ve never seen one move before!