In Disney's Aladdin, the titular beggar becomes the owner/master of a powerful, wish-granting genie, only to realize that he wasn't sure what to wish for. When Aladdin asked the genie what he would wish for, the genie ultimately answered, "Freedom. ...To be my own master. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world."
I completely agree with the genie. Being one's own master, gaining that level of self-mastery, is not only inherently desirable, but also spiritually essential. We need to gain mastery over ourselves, or our own habits or outside influences will become our masters instead. I want to gain self-mastery, and to that end, I am working to overcome undesired habits (like waiting too long to blog each day) and regulating others' influence over me.
Granted, we can't do away with habits altogether, as we are creatures of habit, and it would be unwise to never allow anyone to influence us, as it is wise to at least consider their advice, but we can still decide which habits we develop and which we break and which advisors we heed and which we disregard. That way, we become our own masters by choosing which habits we maintain and what advice we follow. Our habits and outside forces may try to influence us, but the final decision is ours.
Our habits and other people will try to master us, but ultimately, we must learn to master ourselves.
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