Self discipline is the assertion of willpower over more base desires, and is usually understood to be a synonym of self control. It is, to some extent, a substitute for motivation, when one uses reasoning to determine the best course of action that may oppose one's desires.
I personally feel that self discipline is one of the most important value a person should have and should cultivate and exercise it on a daily basis.
Why? I feel that because while it may not necessary prevent you from thinking about something that you desire, it governs your actions, which counts, because actions affect people to a greater extent.
When presented with a situation that guarantees hardship,you obviously want to shun it, you would very much like to take the easier path, saving much trouble, and making yourself feel better, right? But what if you had chosen to face the obstacle, influenced by the strong sense of self discipline instilled into you. The outcome may be that you will have to suffer first, but you managed to turn out to be a better person overall.
I admire people with a high sense of self discipline, because upholding it is not easy if you have people around you whom are constantly trying to seek the easy way out.
Of course, self discipline and plain stubbornness/foolishness are only a thin line apart, you would be better off if you weighed the consequences first before taking any action.
Which brings me to my question, is the outcome of self discipline, assuming that the individual is logical enough not to mix up self discipline and stubbornness, always positive?
That is to say is the value of instilling self discipline in oneself always positive?
Recently I have been encountering with so many situations where I could, like the rest of my comrades, simply walk away from or present excuses so that I may not participate in activities which guarantee hardship and itself not presenting the participants any immediate returns.
I thought to myself over and over again, mulling the consequences over lunch, over breaks, in between pages of a novel and so on...And I always tell myself that what cannot kill me only makes me stronger. That I will benefit from the participation of such strenuous activities that seem to sap the mental and physical strength....eventually.
While others lie, contented, fresh and energised in their beds. Is this an act of self discipline? Or simply foolishness?
Is the "returns" of self discipline only present in the very long run? I keep questioning myself. How can I measure such "returns" to see if the hardship I had undertaken is justified?
In the end, I suppose self discipline is something like a slow acting medicine, but guaranteed to cure whatever ailments you may have. Slowly, yes, painfully slow, but at the end of the day, I can be sure that I will turn out to be a better man.