I recently finished 'Ten Days That Shook the World' and the idea of 'revolutionary discipline' really stood out as something that 'the left' should be taking more seriously.
The enemy is disciplined and organized. We need to be the same. And it starts with the individual, especially those who want change.
Personally, I'm working on my physical fitness and theory right now. Also, I'm taking my local organizing seriously within my DSA chapter. Sure they're not perfect, but we gotta build, educate and agitate. It's pretty hard when you just want to watch TV and get high, but I'm trying to be better. Capitalism wants us to indulge in destructive habits that inhibits a healthy, educated working class.
Is anyone else trying to work on their so called 'revolutionary discipline'? Or am I getting ahead of myself?
A lot of the standard good advice applies. It's good to eat well, stay fit, keep your spaces clean, take care of your relationships, etc. etc. I think I do an okay job at all that (other than the fact I can't and probably never will be able to fight), and my COVID bubble of six will be going through David Harvey's lectures together starting tomorrow.
I think it's also important to recognize that being a stonewilled no fun workaholic revolutionary isn't going to be good for anyone. We have to remember that organizing can be as emotionally rewarding as draining, and to be honest with ourselves; actions themselves are often very thrilling. Revolutionary practice on a larger scale is only possible if people actually want to carry it out. Be disciplined, but let yourself be reminded of why you're in this. I really do believe that there are glimpses of the next world in this one if you know where to find them, and sometimes that means putting a pause to the grind and stopping to smell the roses. I'm reminded of the Emma Goldman dancing quote.