Your Inner Citadel

Let Nothing Break In

Your Inner Citadel

One of the finest terms I have ever heard. A perfect way to describe it.

Stoicism is based on it. Marcus Aurelius (and his Meditations) are almost always associated with it.

What is it?

Your Inner Citadel is the steel trap of your mind and soul. It is the boundary you never cross and the wall you never let anyone break down. The Inner Citadel can be different for each person. The morals and values of each person can be different; therefore, their fortress may be shaped differently.

“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

How the Walls Can Break Down

The foundation of our lives is usually brought to you by…our parents. You get dealt a certain hand in life. Whether that hand is good or bad, it just is. You do not have much of a choice in the matter. Your parents teach you principles. They teach you morals (usually). Everything from how to make your bed to the importance of never lying. You build your foundation.

Somewhere along the way, you test what you have learned. You become rebellious. This is usually associated with the high school / college years. You finally have your “freedom” to do what you want

What do my parents know anyway?

The Snowball Effect

You give in. You break your moral code.

• You take that drink, that leads to more
• You stop going to church, even though you’ve always been
• You compromise your work ethic, and become lazy
• You start doing what everyone else is doing because it seems okay

One thing leads to another. You let the world chip away at you. You let it chip away at your values and morals. What’s one more thing to give into? Why does it matter? I’ve already given in anyways. The snowball effect.

“Maybe my parents were right”

How to Build the Walls Back Up (and Stronger)

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. — Confucius.

We rise. We build back up. We get “back on the horse” when we fall.

When we finally realize that we can’t let all of the world in, we draw the line. Enough becomes enough. It becomes time to develop our principals and morals, to build back…brick by brick. The harsh truth is:

It takes seconds to tear something down and years to build back up

But now you have experience…you’ve been through the ringer. You are no longer that child that blindly obeyed your parents. You now understand why they taught you what they did. You get it now.

Take it one day at a time. Build a routine of excellence and the days will add up. You are now becoming consistent. You are now becoming reliable. You are now becoming that person people call on for help & advice. You have stated your values and morals and you stand by them.

Example of The Inner Citadel: You have decided that you will go to church on Sunday, no matter what.

It’s the middle of the summer and you are on vacation. You are at the beach with a group of friends. It’s Saturday night and everyone wants to “tie one on”. It’s Saturday night anyways, right?! You say you have to be up and ready for church.

Gasp!

“Church?! but you’re on vacation! Are you serious”?

This is your moment- You turn in early, wake up the next morning, and go. Maybe you even walk there because you don’t have a car available. Your Inner Citadel has not been broken; it has been strengthened. Everyone knows you mean business. They never try to break your Citadel again; they have been warned.

Every time you protect your Inner Citadel, you gain confidence. Confidence to do it again and again. It takes repetition. You must be strong willed. You must have fortitude. But, when you gain that reputation for being this way, nothing can break you, and everyone knows it. Build your Inner Citadel, it’s never too late.