Discipline: It Is Just Doing The Same Thing In The Right Way Whether Anyone Is Watching Or Not.

"A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering. " - Dalai Lama XIV

Discipline means controlling one's behavior. Why would one want to control one's behaviour. The reasons are obvious. We live in this world with many other people, each one unique and different. In order to live together harmoniously we must have some sort of etiquettes guiding our social behaviour. Without these we would differ so much that there would be chaos and we would not be able to live together at all.

However, too much discipline can become inhibitive to the point that our creative energy does not find any outlet. This can cause more problems than solving some.

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty. ” – Frank Herbert

In schools, there are codes of behaviour defined for the smooth running of the school. We have to come to school at affixed time and all lessons and activities are carried out according to a schedule.

This is necessary necessary. If we do not follow a schedule there will be too much time wasted in finding out what is finding out what is going on at which place and at what time. In short the the school will be worse than than market-place. The more aggressive ones will dominate and the school will become more of a joke and less of a place of learning.

It cannot be denied that discipline is of outmost importance in school .Unfortunately , discipline enforced blindly often does more harm than good. For example students know that they have to keep quiet during assembly so that they can hear what is being said .But to be told to remain silent when we are marching back to class after the assembly is just too much.

It is ridiculous trying to keep the mouth shut when their feet are making more noise .Furthermore ,the perfects are not loved for enforcing such a stupid rule.

Another example is that of of that of the uniform. White shoes are compulsory but what harm does a stripe of red and blue on the side of the shoes do.

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."- George Washington

An army is as great and powerful as it is disciplined and united. Oliver Cromwell and Shivaji could force a mighty foe bite the dust with the help of only a handful of disciplined and iron-hearted soldiers. Even a massive army will crumble like a house of cards in the absence of dis­cipline, as did the Egyptian army under Antony. Army without discipline is no army, it is a mob. Police without discipline is even worse than armed bandits.

Discipline is of prime importance in every sphere of man's life. In a family, members have to work as a cohesive team. But if the sense of discipline is not instilled into the minds of the members, each going his own way in his own manner, life in the family becomes a living hell, in our social life, we are required to follow certain norms of behaviour and make a harmonious adjustment between our rights and duties. Without this our social life can also become a mess and will soon go out of gear. Even in small day-to-day things like walking along the road, boarding a bus, baying a ticket from the counter or doing, or getting a work done in a govern­ment office, citizens must show a sense of discipline.

In fact, discipline is the basic principle behind the progress and smooth working of an individual and a nation. It is essential for the preservation of social values. But discipline should be inborn and self-imposed rather than externally imposed. It should be a tenor and mode of life based upon moral basis rather than an exter­nal compulsion caused by an unscrupulous and power-hungry autho­ritarian government. It should be taught by education and enlightenment.

A disciplined man controls his life and lives his dreams.

"A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude and integrity can do a great deal to make a person beautiful." - Jacqueline Bisset