Discipline: The Rule Of My Game

discipline (noun): the practice of training people to obey

rules and order and punishing them if they do not; the

controlled behaviour or situation that is the result of this

training.

- Oxford English Dictionary

The conventional dictionary meaning of the word discipline has been used in language more than its other meanings. The daunting effect of the word still prevails in our day to day language and is also the most commonly perceived meaning of the word. There is a certain imposing factor that is unsaid and perceived, and hence there is a certain degree of fear that comes attached to the meaning of 'discipline'. One can see the association of the word discipline with the army or a certain regimented behaviour, and I think that this relationship with the word 'discipline' crops in our understanding from the understanding of this word in our language.

If we simply look at the essence of discipline, then discipline is about bringing order to ones' behaviour. It is not necessarily about obeying rules or restricting to a certain type of behaviour. It is about simply following the rules of the game. Whatever game we're playing, discipline becomes a factor within which we play by the rules set for that game.

Let us look at the word discipline in a living context. If we look at discipline in the context of our daily routine – like the morning walks, daily writing or journaling, studying every evening about things that matter to us... and when we comprehend the meaning of discipline against the backdrop of the conventional dictionary meaning, then there is an association of an imposing factor, compulsion, fear with our simple daily activities. But the moment the meaning of the word alters as a rule of and for my own game, then being in a discipline provides a sense of completeness, satisfaction and freedom. Discipline is not about bringing someone into line. It is about being consistent with our own intent to set ourselves free.

Discipline is not about bringing someone into line. It is about being consistent to our own intent to set ourselves free.