The Role of discipline in our lives

Recently I saw an interesting cartoon. It showed a young boy handing his father a note from his teacher. As he handed the note to his father, he said, “ Dad, it’s a note from my teacher. You’re to go down to the school and write a hundred times on the chalkboard: I will teach my son discipline.” It struck me as a perceptive cartoon.

I thought of the role that discipline has played in my life. Had my parents not instilled discipline in my young days, I fear what I would have become. I must admit my parents’ method of discipline at times would never be approved by modern psychologists. But though it was severe at times, it was always followed by lots of love and warmth. I knew they loved me and wanted only the best.

When anyone mentions the word “discipline” most of us flinch because we think of the negative definition of the word–physical punishment or restraint from doing whatever we please. But consider the root of the word from the Latin disciplina which means teaching, learning.

Discipline also means training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental facilities or moral character of an individual. It creates an orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior. It includes self-discipline, perhaps the most difficult type to practice.

The opposite of discipline is chaos which is a state of things in which chance is supreme. In a chaotic state there is an inherent unpredictability in behavior whether in nature or humans. Simply put, we or things are in a state of utter confusion.

When we watch an activity whether it be sports, dance, or any other skilled activity, we must understand that underlining the performance are hours perhaps years of discipline in which the individual focused on his act. Carry this thought further and examine the role of discipline or the lack of it in our personal life. If I consider myself successful, I am a disciplined person. When things seem to go haywire, I am in chaos, or in a state of utter confusion.

As adults we have either acquired a certain degree of discipline or we are still struggling to attain it. In children the degree of discipline they acquire in their early years will largely determine their status in life. The level and degree of discipline will result in a wholesome attitude towards their parents, schooling, friends and society in general. On the other hand, the lack of discipline in a child may result in his becoming anti-social.

If I am a devoted parent to my children, I must consider their physical needs, such as food, shelter and clothing to be of prime importance. Next to furnishing material comfort, I must convey emotional stability, such as love, comfort, protection, and education.

The next is discipline. Without proper guidance in discipline, the child will grow up having little restraint on his emotions and physical properties. Nothing is sadder than to see a youngster out of control. His emotions engulf him as he destroys anyone or anything near him, all for the lack of proper discipline.

Our children have returned to the classroom. Their attitude towards and practice of discipline will place him or her in an honor role or in a state of delinquency.

In the following two articles, we will discuss some practical measures for instilling discipline in our children. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children, more than money or gifts is a strong sense of discipline with its various definitions.
Hopefully you and your child will bond closer because of the hints.