Self Dicipline

Thousands of South Koreans since 2003 brave sub-zero temperature to attend boot camp organized by Commandos. They want to get into shape and build self-discipline. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70J1HV20110120?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FoddlyEnoughNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Oddly+Enough%29

Getting into shape may be true. Self-discipline? I can't agree. When you are in boot camp, you are disciplined by people. You have no schedule of your own. You are forced to complete the task given to you. How could that equals to self-discipline?

Self-discipline starts with "self". It means that you yourself is the subject as well as object. It means that you should do it alone. You do your best to complete the task regardless of physical and mental difficulties. That is self-discipline.

For example, I set out to complete a 100KM cycling trip alone. It is a goal I set. I worked on it regardless of my physical condition. Even though I have to stop twice due to sheer tiredness and muscle condition, I continued on to complete it. On the last few KM, every stroke of the paddle is a constant reminder to give up. When the last hill is right ahead of me and that hill is the highest ever on the whole trip. My leg muscle even give up on me. It started to cramp. The speed is even slower than a person jogging. That did not deter me even from getting down the bike to push it up hills. It is a cycling trip is it not? Pushed on I did and completed it I do.

People called me crazy to do that. So does thousands of Koreans who attended the boot camp. The only difference is that they rely on others and peers to push them. I rely on myself to push me. The latter is much more tough because the knowledge that I could give up is unchallenged and easy. 

There are times when we set out to do things. Is there any one to push you like that in boot camp? No. You are actually all alone. There  may be your loved ones and your friends to encourage you but there is not a single one that pushed you to the limits like that in boot camp. Self-discipline is the only element that drives you on. Therefore, to build up self-discipline, you have to do it all alone. Let you push yourself. If you could hang on to your own pushing, you have achieved self-discipline.

Of course, I am not encouraging every one to do things alone. It is good to have peers to nudge you on. I is good to have people cheer you on. It is good to have people who share your passion.  It is much easier to achieve your goals in this way.

You can't blame me for doing the extremes.  I have been doing that since I am young. There have not been any help all these years. There are none that could share my passion even though I talked to many about it. I am used to it already.

I am not a social non-conformist. It is simply that what  I do things that happens to be not what people do around me. May be I a am a social misfit. Who cares? At least I know what should and should not do. I may not have a chance to be normal but  I do encourage others to be normal. That is good enough for me.