Discipline: Walking the road less travelled

It was a line of six people as we made our way to the top. I was right in the middle. What that meant is that every time anyone at the front or the back got a problem and fell down, I too would fall down. And the falling down happened not once, and not twice.
Each time anyone fell down, our lead guide in the mountaineering escapade would have to stop all movement and come to sort out the ones who had fallen, so we would move. No sooner had we moved a few metres, than another person fell again. 

Each time this happened, our frustration grew to untold levels. Climbing a mountain requires and takes a high level of discipline, patience and tenacity that only those who have done it can understand. 
The experience stretches the climber at the physical, mental, emotional or social level. You must be strong and patient, not just for yourself but with everyone else on the team. Your level of maturity will be tested to the core.

Discipline, patience and tenacity are essential requirements for living and working successfully. For the last many weeks of the lockdown for schools, we have been labouring to establish routine and discipline. 
Every night, each child is required to write down their plans for the next day. Every plan must be presented by the individual child before going to bed. This way, they are held accountable and responsible for their actions. 

Interestingly, many months later, the children still have to be reminded each night to set their plans. Previously, I was tempted to get really upset with them but upon reflection, it became clear that getting upset would be a waste of precious energy. 
There is a way human beings are wired for the soft and lazy life. People generally drift to the comfort zone by default. The disciplined life requires going against the current, which is a critical building stone for being exceptional. The herd mentality is where everyone does the same thing with the least possible input.
To be disciplined is to be different and to walk the road less travelled. It gets painful, exasperating and lonely. But the results are worth it.

I remember I was once a child and that I’m the total of many years of falling down and getting up. This experience is aligning me to the goal and purpose of being a patient and supportive parent. 
Getting to the peak of the mountain was a great accomplishment. But isn’t that what life is all about?! Going forward and getting up each time you fall down?