Posted on 22-Oct-2014
Written by Corporal Nathan Chan of 10th Kuala Lumpur Company
Discipline is one of the "twin pillars" of the entire Boys' Brigade in Malaysia. It is the most obvious reason we drill. In fact, it is one of the primary reasons the Boys’ Brigade exists in the first place.
Discipline is often thought of as to be able to do something, maybe repeatedly, without being asked to. If that is the case, however, then Boys’ Brigade would be useless. Why? Because in a way, we are all disciplined.
No matter who we are, or how were brought up, we are all disciplined in some way. It may be brushing teeth in the morning, or eating dinner at night. Simply coming to Boys’ Brigade every single week without being told is discipline.
We all want, both consciously and subconsciously. Everything we do, every move we make is motivated by want, one way or the other. To want is not wrong. In the contrary, a great amount of want is something good to have - it is called determination.
However, we often have many many many wants, some whims, some goals and some actual long lasting dreams. Not only is discipline doing things without being told to, it is also choosing between what you want now and what you want most, and acting to achieve it.
Be disciplined with focus. When we choose what we want most, we select one dream from the thousand of wants, and work towards it. Theoretically, we should be able to reach it.
Sadly, life is never so simple. There are many things available for us to do today, especially with the existence of the internet. Distractions fill our life. Doing something repetitious constantly can get boring, even if we know the result is what we want. Discipline requires focus.
“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” - 1 Corinthians 9:26 NIV
Be disciplined with habit. We all have role models. It may be a singer or a footballer. Yet no mastery of skill is achieved with a single act. A fantastic skill is the result of months, or maybe years, of developing habits.
Habits achieve dreams. The best way to lose weight? Form the habit of exercising 15 minutes every day. Most effective method of improving at an instrument? Make practicing 12 hours a week a habit.
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training." - 1 Corinthians 9:25a NIV
Be disciplined for an eternal reward. Discipline won’t produce good results without a good goal. Everything in this world is temporary, but everything in heaven is eternal. Why not be disciplined for something that lasts forever?