I was at the office a few days earlier and I mentioned the word discipline, which prompted one of my colleagues to jump and say: “Boy, do we need it...self-discipline”. So I went back to books and good old friend Google and searched and researched this word discipline, and I was amazed by all what is written about it.

One writer said: “The possession of self-discipline enables you to choose and then persevere with actions, thoughts and behaviors, which lead to improvement and success. It also gives you the power and inner strength overcome addictions, procrastination and laziness, and to follow through whatever you do.”

The single most important attribute to becoming successful is self-discipline, another said. In fact, self-discipline gives one the ability to remain focused on achieving goals and keep up with difficult matters. It gives you the ability to remove obstacles and keep going forward. If we take schools for example, teachers have their own understanding of discipline in their classrooms, but experts say that it can be put down to three forms - preventative discipline, supportive discipline and corrective discipline.

With discipline, you go long way towards success, as it will create abundant energy to stay vibrant, as success in life starts with being disciplined. Self-discipline creates a habit, bearing in mind that habits can make or break you. Self-discipline creates a habit in your life that builds up only through discipline. Most people never remain disciplined in their lives because they are lazy. However laziness is a form of habit as well. Successful people discipline themselves to work and stay consistent to it. This is what attracts success in their lives.

In conclusion, we must have self-discipline in our lives - once we are tasked to do something, we must remain with it until we achieve our goals, otherwise we will be making U-turns to start from the beginning and nothing will be achieved. We must persevere and continue our efforts to fulfill our ambitions. And progress in our lives.

I read a narrative that I want to give as an example of self-discipline and extremely good manners.

A poor man took a cup of grapes to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) took the cup and started eating. He ate the first grape and smiled, then the second and smiled. The poor man became extremely happy as he saw that. The Prophet’s (PBUH) companions were looking on in amazement, because they were used to the Prophet (PBUH) sharing with them any gift he received, yet he was eating one grape after the other while smiling until he finished the cup, while the companions were left wondering!

The poor man then left very happy. A companion asked the Prophet (PBUH): Why did not you share the grapes with us? The Prophet (PBUH) smiled then said: You saw how happy he was with the cup of grapes, but when I tasted it, I found it bitter, and I was afraid if I shared it with you, there could be one who may spoil that man’s joy.

We should understand that not all what is on our minds is said, and not all what is said is meant, and not all what is written is a reality. A true smile, clean heart, good treatment, easy spirit and courteous word - this is how life’s beauty is lived. Be of good manners and all hearts will love you!