Discipline Is The Key

As we develop from infancy we draw from the diverse and ever expanding reservoirs of knowledge and skills to, hopefully, become disciplined individuals. It is inevitable that in the early stages, adults take responsibility, pointing the way to us.

Ultimately, though, the discipline that characterises us is what comes from within: self-discipline.

Too many of us limit our interpretation of discipline to the external enforcement of rules - like law enforcement. Rather, the business of instilling discipline must involve helping children identify worthwhile goals which they wish to pursue and develop those habits, manners, skills, knowledge and so on, that take them there.

As parents and teachers, we ought to be preparing children to function from a platform of personal conviction. Therefore, they "behave well" because they understand, at an individual level, behaviour that leads to individual and societal success. Then we can say we have produced a disciplined child.

A sense of self-worth, then is foundational to this process. If I don't feel like much, how can my goals be much? How can it matter what I do or how I behave, if I, personally, do not matter in the scheme of things?

Our youth, therefore, need to feel loved, needed, depended on and capable. We must highlight their strengths, qualities and charms; we must encourage them. This should not be done only for our brightest and healthiest children. This must be the heritage of every child.

The school, home, church and other agents of personal development serve our community better as they highlight the good in our youth and affirm them.