Discipline is one of the most relevant urgent challenges facing leadership at every level and for a variety of reasons.
School discipline, as well as discipline in other areas of society, has become a controversial topic.
Discipline is almost a dirty word. It is not, but the consequences of indiscipline are more serious than many recognise.
Almighty God has established an amazing principle with regard to discipline. The man whom Almighty God disciplines is blessed.
There is a difference between being disciplined and being punished, but the individual who refuses discipline will end up being punished in some form.
There is another person whom Almighty God blesses. He happens to be the man who is taught from God’s law.
Notice how discipline comes before teaching. That requires to be taught in every teacher’s training college. This is one reason why discipline is so vital and essential. This principle has almost been reversed over these past years.
Without discipline there can be no real teaching. When discipline is abandoned, teaching ceases. If a teacher cannot exercise discipline, he cannot really teach.
God goes even further. He will not attempt to teach those who refuse discipline. That depicts and indicates just how serious a matter this has become.
When Jesus Christ was teaching, the crowds gathered to hear Him. He had no problem with discipline.
When Jesus was about to feed the hungry, He had them sit down in an orderly manner. Jesus Christ had no time for chaos, and when he called men he called them to discipleship which is exactly the same word and comes from the Greek for mathematics. That is how exact and precise discipline has to be at times.
Imagine an indisciplined army going off to war. Soon there would be many casualties. That is what we are tragically witnessing in our society in these present days in so many different fields, as man tried to go it alone without God.
Submitting Himself to the authority of His Father resulted in Jesus’ authoritative teaching and orderly activity. Discipline does not limit nor restrict. It frees releases and liberates. The football match is best played when the lines are visible and specific, and when the ball goes out of play the game has to stop.
When Paul spoke to those who realised how needy they were, he had no trouble. It was when he was confronted with the philosophers and rebels who thought they could get on without God that problems exploded.
God sees when man tries to go his own way and struggle on without His direction and guidance.
He knows the thoughts of man and He knows that they are futile. The Psalmist explains that in clear distinct terms.
God knows what He is talking about.
Sandy Shaw
By: Sandy Shaw
About the Author:
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com
Filed under Self Improvement by on Aug 12th, 2010.
One thing that I think bothers me more than anything else in the world is the fact that so much of the population is very self-centered. We live in a very selfish society. I personally believe this is in part due to our desire to do more, get ahead and be better in life. This ambition is a good thing; it is what drives many to success. However, it is also the makings for a somewhat selfish society. We’re always looking out for Number One, as the saying goes.
This is not a personal rant or a game of “I’m holier than thou” but instead a realistic observation of a fact of life today. This is not to point fingers or call names and say that everyone is like this or that those that are, behave this way 100% of the time. Instead, I wanted to take these observations and point them out along with some tips for how you can avoid the stress and pain that this selfish behavior often causes in life.
I even see the same things when I look at myself from time to time. Often when I get upset with someone it is because of something they have done to me. I don’t typically stop to think about why they did it or what might be happening in their lives. Instead, I focus solely on the fact that they have hurt me or wronged me in some way and I retaliate in anger, sadness or frustration.
Look back at some of the times in your life that you have been angry or upset. Think also on the times when you have been rude, mean or uncaring to someone else. How many of these situations can you relate to selfish thinking and behaviors? Have you ever disappointed your children because there was something else that you wanted to do instead? Have you ever lied to your spouse because you were afraid they would be angry at you and it only made it worse when they lie was uncovered?
What about when you are cut off in traffic by the guy in the BMW on his cell phone who’s late for an important meeting? Or when someone races to get in line ahead of you at the grocery store with their cartload of items when you have only a small basket? All around us, people make decisions that are inconsiderate to others, usually because they are thinking only of themselves.
Think about two siblings growing up together. It’s a fact that all siblings fight at some point and some fight quite often. Now look at some of the situations under which children fight.
Not sharing toys
Jealousy
For parent’s attention
Because someone feels “slighted” Most of the reasons that siblings become angry and upset with one another boil down to selfish reasons. Someone thinks mom loves the other one better, someone doesn’t want to share his new toy, someone thinks the other gets more, etc. Many of us never outgrow this behavior and we see it in adults every day.
I can go on giving examples all day but I think you get the idea. The point is how can you separate yourself from this? We simply can’t go around trying to make people the way that we want them to be and if we try, we only cause ourselves more stress and heartache (and you might just lose some friends along the way.)
So what can you do? First, you need to recognize that the single, one and only person in the entire world that you have control over is yourself. Look at your own life and ways that you can change and be a better example in your world and your daily life.
Next, if you are a parent, you need to recognize that your children will mimic your behaviors. Teach them the right ways by showing and when you make mistakes, talk with them about it. Explain to them that no one is perfect and that they will have to be accepting and understanding when people sometimes let them down- even their parents.
Third, it is important to learn how to respond to people that you encounter who treat you unfairly, rudely or even those that physically or emotionally harm you. You can’t control what people do to you but you can control how you respond to it. You should never have to take abuse of any sort but there are some things we can take in stride, such as the stranger in the market or the minivan on your bumper in evening traffic giving you a serious case of road rage.
You can CHOOSE not to respond back in the same way that selfish people treat you. You can choose to ignore it, or to respond in kindness or in some cases, you can even learn from it. We also need to learn to be a bit more compassionate toward others, even those that we don’t know. If someone gives you attitude for no apparent reason, sure it might make you mad or even hurt your feelings. You may feel the urge to retaliate but instead you can choose to take a different approach.
You can choose to break the cycle and separate yourself from this type of poor attitude and behavior. Maybe that person is having a bad day, maybe they have an anger problem or maybe they are just a hateful person, but you don’t have to let their poor attitude rub off on you. Take it in stride, laugh it off, ignore it or even say a prayer for them if you are a religious person and then go on with your life without letting one person ruin your day!
By: Lisa A Mason
About the Author:
Filed under Self Improvement by on Jun 28th, 2010.
Some months ago, I read an article titled ?Art and Propaganda? in the online edition of The Nation, and found it to be insightful, challenging, and mildly persuasive, at least in part.
It?s a terrific article, and worth the read. Milton Glaser, a Fulbright scholar and one of America?s most celebrated designers, wrote, ? The mind?s ability to alter itself is the source of human freedom. Information expands the capacity of the mind to change. Persuasion limits that capacity. Beliefs must be held lightly, because certainty is often the enemy of truth.” This has been on my mind for awhile. I support much of what was said. But it all falls apart for me when it comes to one of his core ideas.
Glaser writes that ?Persuading us robs us of our ability to observe things for ourselves.? No, sorry, it (persuasion) does not. It can?t do anything. It is but a tool, a method, a means to an end. It is amoral, meaning it can be used by anyone for any purpose, ethical or not. At best, the use of persuasive communication increases your odds of a successful outcome. But the use of persuasive communication comes with no guarantee. Persuasive skill is naught but a construct of human imagination and ingenuity applied to an outcome, and matched against the formidable and very human capacity to think, to question, to challenge and arrive at one?s own conclusions, I don?t think it stands a chance. Not even a little one.
The only thing that robs us of our ability to observe for ourselves is our failure to think for ourselves about information presented to us. And yes, that happens. When it does happen, when we are persuaded when we ought not to be, that?s an opportunity to get feedback about how we think, and to learn how to think even better.
When information is presented non-persuasively, I suppose a case could be made that because it is not compelling, we don?t have to think about it. The idea, I suppose, is that non-persuasive communication is easier on our busy and pitiful little minds. But that?s just whack.
Our challenge in the modern world is pay attention when the professional persuaders are racing to and fro seeking leverage to use in our cultural connections. So whenever communication takes place between people, whether it?s a conversation, a meeting, a radio spot or television ad, the responsibility for our choices falls squarely where it belongs, on ourselves.
The use of persuasive communication has the goal of influencing attitudes. I find nothing inherently wrong with the idea of people seeking to influence each other. Indeed, I think that?s how it should be, because an idea presented non- persuasively has little chance at influence, no matter its worth. So persuasive skill is a necessary tool for parents, managers, service providers and a whole host of others trying to make a positive difference.
Wise parents persuade their children to think for themselves, so they will be able to protect themselves from peer pressure and other coercive influences. Wise business owners persuade customers to use their system, product or service as it is intended, in order to build loyalty and prevent problems. And wise managers learn everything possible about what motivates employees and teams in order to engage, empower and employ the best those people have to offer.
A non-persuasive person can cripple an enterprise, sow the seeds of a revolt, throw sand in the gears of progress.
I think it a valuable endeavor for you to improve your persuasive skills, since without persuasive ability, you may have the solution to a problem yet the problem persists; the answer to a question, yet the question goes unanswered; a means to advance, but no progress is made.
Admittedly, people are all too often more emotional than thoughtful in their responses to the signals of persuasion. Yet for this very reason, when hope requires persuasion, without it there is no hope.
By: anonymous
About the Author:
Filed under Self Improvement by on Dec 31st, 2009.
Social Influence
Persuasion in society is a vital part of human life. People have been guided by others throughout centuries through persuasive attitudes, actions, signs, and thoughts. Basically, individuals in a given group will be persuaded if they feel change will be for the entire group’s advantage. You may be familiar with utilitarianism and how the advantages and disadvantages of one person can significantly affect the entire group as a whole.
The same goes with persuasion, in the sense that if you are able to show inequity, people will mostly adhere to a problem-solving means, instead of being forced into deciding.
Weapons of Influence in Society
All weapons of influence can be applied to modern society. Persuasion in society still requires a variety of strategies, techniques, and approaches, especially since you are dealing with several people at a time. This may make it harder for you because it is very likely for different individuals in a society to have varying perceptions and views.
The most common is authority, wherein people are influenced by those they look up to, like leaders, heroes, and government figures. Social proof is another, where people follow what others in the same group are doing or thinking. Liking is when people easily get persuaded if they see things attractive to them or are to their advantage.
Scarcity is when people adhere to influence if it seems rare or unique. There is also reciprocation, in which individuals will allow themselves to be persuaded to return a favor or end suffering. Commitment and consistency is an honored agreement that may initially come with a motivator.
Persuasion in society acts in a way that lets individuals comply with the so-called standards of the group they belong to. They are more likely to be persuaded if they find benefits and improvement in their environment, which makes them feel useful and vital to their community. This greatly gives them a sense of security, decisiveness, and belongingness.
By: Michael Lee
About the Author:
Read more on Persuasion in Society: Giving What People Want…
Filed under Self Improvement by on Dec 24th, 2009.
Man being a social animal needs to live in society in a certain way so that he makes his own place (also called carving a niche), can develop worthwhile relations with other human beings while living alongside them in a growing, peaceful and harmonious societal frame-work and for this reason, people need to understand each other as well as their own needs. When they fail to understand either their own needs or that of others and respect ceases to exist between them due to lack of understanding or communications, their real inner selves, purpose of their lives and their identity of self in society undergoes a negative change. This affects man’s perception and handling of his relation with his inner self as well as his relationship with society with regard to his sense of self-identity.
Scientists, sociologists and psychologists believe that each individual has 3 distinctive sides to the personality: an outer self that is projected to the world, an inner self that is hidden deep inside him and a mirror or perceived self (how he believes himself to be). When there is a conflict of realities between these 3 core aspects of a person, there is a sense of loss and confusion in the person and subsequently his dealings with society at large.
What then is most frequently known to happen is that the individual in such cases experiences a sad loss of self-identity as related to his presence in the society, which may or may not be acknowledged the way he hopes it will and thus, his path of self-development may be temporarily blocked! We say temporarily because a person also has the ability within himself to re-invent himself after studying weaknesses and strengths, working towards building a healthy sense of self-esteem through various methods such as self-talk and other higher consciousness practices so that his deceptive public self is overcome with a sense of truth and the inner, scared self, gets a chance to develop into a honest personality that he is not afraid to show – warts and all – to the outside world. With this sense of awareness, the individual can hope to find a better balance within himself and thus, in society as the sense of true energy and motivation to do right will exist in his life, bringing good things to light for him.
This is the desirable end to leading a happy, balanced and harmonious life within society as a contributing member of a value-generating society and ensuring the individual stays in touch with his inner self and his real identity always.
By: Abhishek Agarwal
About the Author:
Read more on Self And Society – How To Discover Yourself In Society…
Filed under Self Improvement by on Dec 21st, 2009.
Not all these things always work out by themselves the way the individual hopes they will as other factors may be at play here, too, such as the way negativity affects our fragile human souls e.g. the emotional aspects in us humans are influenced greatly by negative feelings, doubts and remarks that dishonest persons may use for their gain and these get stored in the mind’s subliminal compartment only to revive again when we least need them to.
This kind of storing of negative thoughts and concepts in the subconscious mind is unhealthy for personal growth or public good as these send messages of ‘unworthiness’ to us, which we can do without when looking for answers to questions such as our role in society, our duty towards society and not simply our rights as a society member!
To overcome the negativity aspect of what our sub-conscious mind stores, it is necessary for the intelligent and aware individual to always keep a track of the bigger picture and not limit his view. One way of ensuring the negatives do not take over the positive views of the mind is to learn self-talk and subliminal learning practices so that success is never more than a trained, disciplined and progressive thought process away.
Another way to ban the mind from thinking or acting out negative thoughts is to eat right to think right; combine balanced, nutritive and light meals with regular physical exercise in fresh air and you have the fool-proof mantra for a healthier self-identity goal by ensuring all round development of self and thus, prove to be an asset to society – by being your best!!
Now, it may be troubling you how you can keep this constant. However, it is not that difficult to attain – these life-goals towards discovering your self-identity and improving it to become a better fit in society. All you have to do is just ensure you balance out each right with a reward i.e. achieve a goal and give yourself the satisfaction of having reached there with a little something to boost your morale. E.g. for sticking to a weight loss goal, buy yourself a new outfit, for keeping your temper in control, buy some soothing new music CD and you will find a new you in the same society, but made more beautiful as you react positively to it. Start today – and find the best You!
By: Abhishek Agarwal
About the Author:
Read more on Your Self And Society – How To Establish Relationship With Yourself In Society…
Filed under Self Improvement by on Dec 21st, 2009.









