Discipline is a term that is used to define modeled character, self-control, as well as socially acceptable behavior in people. According to Peck’s book “The Road Less Travelled”,discipline entails the basic set of tools that human beings require in order to solve problems and challenges that they face in their lives (Pecks, M. 2003). This paper will present a summary of “discipline” as discussed by Pecks.
Discipline should be considered as a means through which spiritual evolution takes place, and acts as a factor that is very vital in ensuring an individual’s good health. A person is considered healthy if one is well mentally, spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. For good health, certain elements of discipline must be present. The four tools of discipline based on Peck’s book include, delayed gratification, balance, dedication to truth, and acceptance of responsibility.
These tools are very important in solving problems. The process of solving problems is painful, which makes people to either escape the problems or procrastinate solving them. In order to solve the problems, there is need to constructively use the four tools of discipline. Through delayed gratification, a person is able to sacrifice the present comfort for future gratification (Collier, N. 2008). In this case, one makes a choice to suffer and solve a problem since it never goes away until it’s solved.
Delayed gratification requires a person to have an internal sense of security, safety, and value. It is then that people can feel secure when they realize that a gratification opportunity is always present. Through dedication to reality, the truth becomes the reality while any false thing becomes the unreality. People can only develop a way of dealing with the world if they get a clear understanding of the world itself, and changes that occur in life require us to explore the reality with great honesty and openness.
Looking at solving problems as an opportunity becomes a learning process, while looking at it as an attack encourages failure. It is only through exercising courage and openness that people acquire the freedom from fear. By balancing our lives, we are able to act appropriately. Judgement and flexibility become very necessary for people to grow, and giving up what we have so as to gain in future assists us to adopt changes that balance our lives (Jones, A. 2007). An individual is able to gain more, if only he or she is willing to give up more.
Accountability for our actions and behavior is promoted when we accept responsibility, and this requires honesty. By accepting the consequences of our deeds and being honest, we become disciplined.
References
Collier, N. (2008). Four Tools of Discipline from “The Road Less Traveled”. www. nscblog. com/? =229 Accessed on September 29, 2008 Jones, A. (2007). The Road Less Travelled: Revealing Biography of M. Scott Pecks. Rider Books Pecks, M. (2003). The Road Less Travelled. Rider and Co. Publishers