Discipline

The word ‘discipline’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘disciplina’ and disciplina comes from ‘discipulus’ which means a disciple. A disciple has to abide by the instructions of his master. So in this sense, discipline means some essential rules and regulations in one’s personal as well as social life. Discipline can also be defined as the suppression of base desires.

    So in every sphere of life man has to follow some rules. As a social being, man has to follow the code of conduct of the society. They are called social norms or social values. These values keep peace and fraternity in the society.

  Self control or self discipline or will power refers to the ability to persist at difficult or unpleasant tasks until they are completed. People who possess high self discipline are able to overcome reluctance to begin tasks and stay on track despite distractions. A self controlled person prefers doing things rationally to being driven by emotion and feelings.  

    Punctuality is one of the major forms of discipline. It makes a man sincere to time. A person who leads a routine bound life is sure of his success.

                       

    No educational institution can run smoothly without discipline. Discipline is strictly maintained in the army. A soldier is prepared all the time to carry out the orders of his commander even if those orders are unjust or wrong. Discipline is a must in games and sports. The players in the field play according to the captain’s instruction and cooperate with one another. All the players must act upon the decision made by the umpire or the referee. A weaker but disciplined team gets greater advantages over a stronger but undisciplined opposition. For homes, factories and offices, discipline is much required. There the younger must show respect and listen to the older, the junior to the senior and the inferior to the superior. Otherwise chaos and confusion will prevail everywhere. In the solar system, eight planets along with their satellites are moving round the sun staying on their respective orbits. Any breach of this discipline would make a serious collision.

  Jim Rohn said that discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. So a disciplined person sets a goal and is willing to reach that goal. He becomes consistent. He becomes self confident and empowering. He prefers to choose the correct behaviour and manners. Thus he gets respect and support from others too. In the end he can enrich his life with positive consequences like rewards, recognition and the joy of fulfilling aim.

      On the contrary, a person with no discipline does whatever he likes and eventually gets no positive consequence. He learns to choose behaviour that suits him in stead of learning social skills and empathy. He shows no respect towards others and so experiences rejection. In the long run he becomes delinquent and unworthy.

         Therefore, in order to lead a meaningful life, we all should shape up all our tasks and behaviour in a disciplined way.