Discipline- A way of life! Give your own explanation

Discipline- A way of life! Give your own explanation.

           In recent years, the Army Term is becoming a prevailing holiday for teenagers in Ho Chi Minh City. In summer, many Vietnamese parents send their children to the military barrack with the hope that they can learn how to take care of themselves, obey the rules of their schools, have responsibility for the future and so on. But more important, the best benefit of the Army Term is buiding a disciplined life for the children so that they can develop and succeed in their life.

            Everywhere people need discipline, in families, schools, workplaces, etc. so what is discipline? Why is it important? And which role does it play in Jesuit candidates’ vocational life?

Discipline is the required action by a teacher toward a student or group of worker… after the student’s behavior disrupts the ongoing educational activity or breaks a preestablished rule created by the teacher, the school administration or the general society. Discipline, guiding children's behavior, or setting limits are all concerned with helping children learn how to take care of themselves, other people, and the world around them. Of course, that define above always correct in all of situations.

In 2011, Japan suffered a mass and deadly tsunami and earthquake. According to statistics of Japanese government, there were about 15.856 deaths and 9.677 wounded. Not only Japanese people had to experience a critical time but also all of countries in the world followed that natural calamity in the paper. After the natural disaster, Japanese people had no foods, drinks, clothes and their houses were swept away by the tsumani. I have a feeling that people of Japan had to face with a wretched life and they must overcome that obstacle by themselves. A picture of a people stood in line to get receive victual from the international relief committee made the world astonished. That action show a discipline lifestyle of Japanese in normal life as well as in difficult life. All people of Tōhoku and Sendai of in a Japan’s town stayed in line inspite of they were hungry, thirsty and tired… Not only have they been living and caring for others but also they kept disciplinary style in any. Imagine that 100 Japanese peole wanted to get the relief first and didn’t stay in line, it would have been chaotic and troublous. It was not by accident that the Japanese kept discipline very well. Japanese children ever since their childhood were taught how to do everything in its own time. They also learn to study and work seriously. They won’t chatting with their friends when they are at work or they will total relax in their holiday. Japanese people is well-known for their lifestyle. Thanks to discipline, they overcame the consequences of the World War II and moreover, they made their nation a powerful contry in the world. After the catastrophe in 2011, disciplinary lifestyle helped them win over the difficulty and remind the world that the success of Japan comes from the disciplinary spirit of each individual. Discipline is a key to succeed and development.

Discipline isn’t unconditioned refex. It has to be practiced day by day. In my opinion Vietnamese people need to build a disciplinary lifestyle in society. We can easily see an employee arrives at his office at 8:00 while the working time starts at 7:30 because he is interesting in chatting with his friends at coffee shop. Another example, Vietnamese student spent study time on part-time work. The Vietnamese live their lives with no plan. If they have a plan, they can’t be loyal with that plan to the last. So, discipline is a way of life for everyone. Discipline is simple. For example, you try to learn hard in school time, you keep silent in working hour and try to finish all your given tasks. Keeping a disciplinary life not only help you to improve your professional level in your work but also create an easy and comfortable life. Finally, you can earn respect from everyone with that life style.

Likewise, the necessity of building a disciplinary lifestyle for every candidate of Society of Jesus is very important. Papa Francisco said: “I got in to Society of Jesus because I want to live a missionary soul, community life and discipline”. Discipline is no longer a theory but it have become a lifestyle for those who want to have a better life. In my opinion, I totally agree with the viewpoint: “Discipline- a way of life”. I have lived in Candidate house for 4 years and I have also felt a little importance of discipline in vocational life. I remember when I was a high-school student, I didn’t have a disciplinary life at all. I used to play hooky and spent that time playing video game. I learned Math in History class, I also sleeped in Vietnamese literature class and played ticktacktoe game in Chemistry period… As a result, I was an average student in that semester. I got in to Candidate house without any changes. I read holy book in personal prayer time, I said Rossary in discerning time… and I have no experience about God in the first year because of my undisciplined life. I stepped over second year, I made a well thought out plan for my vocational life and for my study. I explicited the time for my daily study; I tried to do everything in its own time. I always talk to myself that: “If you want to be a great Jesuit likes Ignatius, you must loyal to your plan. If not, you are anything and you never get a small success”. After that I have been loyal to my plan. Discipline has become a my habbit. It help me have a scientifically working behavior and focus on my work.

Lastly, I want to share with you some of my experiences about discipline as a candidate of Society of Jesus. I know that you have given up some bad habits when you participate in the Candidate House and try to get up early every morning to celebrate mass. You leave aside temporarily some relationships in your hometown and only give your whole mind to study and live with other brothers. It is too difficult for us to do it well. I tried to do it day by day and I succeeded, and I think you can do it. At first, you can start with small things and after succeeding, try bigger ones. If you can do that, your life will be disciplinary In my opinion, discipline is a useful intrusment for candidate to become a good Jesuit in future. You will never get any success if you have a compliant life, so keep in mind that discipline will make you a better person. Those are small bricks to build your big success. You can’t serve to anyone if you have no discipline.