Developing More Discipline

National Training Conference Session with Dr. Grandmaster Azziz Muhammad

As mentioned in a previous article, if we are in our right state of mind, we should all desire health.  Another thing we should desire is more discipline.  According to dictionary.com, the word discipline is defined as “train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.”  The Minister has said self-discipline is self-love. I like the example Student Minister Nuri Muhammad gave in a YouTube clip, he said that discipline is “doing what you should do, when you should do it whether you feel like doing it or not.”   

Too often, we do things we want to do even though we do not NEED to do them, nor is it good for us.  Some of us will spend an hour or two scrolling on social media or binge-watching a Netflix show, but will not take 30 minutes to go for a walk or do some type of exercise.  So, even though we don’t “feel” like doing something, we can discipline ourselves to do it anyway.  When we do that, we develop it into a habit.  When we develop the habit of working out, we have just made things easier for ourselves.  “We are just what we make of ourselves,” states the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad in How to Eat to Live Book 2 (p.153).  We can all make ourselves more disciplined with practice and training. A wonderful way to train and show love to yourself and your family is to attend the National Training Conference. 

               Every year, for over 30 years, Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad [formerly Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad] and his beautiful wife, Sis. Azzizah Muhammad, have been hosting the National Training Conference, bringing together some of the best martial artists from all over the world.  Years ago, I attended a National Training conference with my daughter.  She enjoyed it so much that she has been going ever since, even on her own now as a young adult helping out with the Youth Division.  (Special shout out to Sister Lisa R. Muhammad for helping with the Youth Division every year).

The National Training Conference is like a mini-Saviours’ Day.  Every time I attend, I feel like walking around and saying, “Happy Training Day!”   On day one of the training, you can attend the workshops dressed in a Class A garment or suit for brothers, while taking notes on the tips to increase our physical, mental, and spiritual discipline.  There is also a wonderful “Women Only” session that allows sisters to enlighten and support one another on so many levels. Then on Saturday, you will receive instructions on how to perform various self-defense techniques in a safe environment.   You will walk away feeling so empowered!  Many will find that the National Training is the mid-year inspiration that will benefit them not only physically, but also spiritually. One family from North Carolina attended for the first time last year with their two children. When the father asked was asked if he was attending again this year, his answer was, “Absolutely!”

               If you haven’t been to the national training, I highly recommend that you at least escort your children so you both can attend the amazing workshops.  You will learn not only about protecting yourself and your home, but also what to do in the case of a natural disaster, etc.  Even if you are well past the “vanguard age,” we should always be training, no matter what our age.

               One of the few sports that you can use in everyday life, not only for conditioning but also to protect yourself and strengthen your mind, is martial arts.  At the age of four, I enrolled my daughter in a martial arts class because of the discipline that is instilled during the classes.  We shouldn’t think we will never be under trial or will not have to protect ourselves, mind and body. Every day, we are under assault in this world as evil is made easily available. As someone who hasn’t been training as I should; I initially didn’t have the courage to or desire to go. That all changed when I attended with my daughter. In our Study Guide entitled, “The Will of Go Pt. 2, we are told to “Seek refuge in Allah from cowardice.”  And what is cowardice but a lack of courage to face danger, difficulty, and opposition?  He never promised you a rose garden.  He never said the road would be easy.  But if you do not have the courage to face the opposition, to face the difficulty, then you will suffer grief, fear, loss, anxiety, stress, strokes and death -because you have negated your right to exist” ( p. 109).

 I am so glad I attended, and I am sure you will be glad too!  Remember, training should be every day.  Happy Training Day!

               May Allah bless us all with peace, health, wealth, and happiness, along with the courage to protect it.

(Dr. Audrey Muhammad is an aerobics instructor and the author of the book, Get Fit To Live and Fear, Faith, Food and Fitness. If you would like to participate in a free relaxation session for women, register at mocamondays.eventbrite.com.  Please consult a physician before beginning any new exercise or dietary program.)