discipline vs freedom
seeing a blank page in front of me still gives me jitters, but trying my best to keep writing.
Let's talk about discipline.
after finishing our college final semester exams, my friends in the hostel decided to try alcohol (we were all around 21, so..no issues lol). I didn't like the idea. But obviously no one wants to be the party pooper, i chose not to say anything.
When the bottles were opened, they gave glasses to everyone, and when my turn came, i said i didnt wanna try. There was a huge "WHYY? COME ONN!" from all of my friends haha. Now of course no one forced me. after a minute of friendly banter, we decided i would just have water in my cup, for the sake of photos.
now why am i telling you all this?
i remember one of the guys saying, "yaar (which means 'bro' in Hindi), you are in college, your dad isn't here! you have so much freedom to do anything, but still you aint using it at all. what a waste."
Although it was just timepass talks and the topic was forgotten the next day, it made me wonder. what is freedom?
according to my friend, it was the choice to do anything he wanted. he wanted to try things, enjoy life, chill.
i don't disagree. after all, thats what freedom means.. right?
and in most cases, it is. most.
Let's take an example of a person starting to smoke. for a typical college kid, its "freedom" to look cool in front of friends and start smoking. pretty soon, he gets into the habit and starts spending too much on cigarettes.
so now, is it still freedom? although he feels he is in control, doing what he wants, is he really? can he really quit as and when he wants? cause in this scenario, things have changed from a question of freedom, to addiction. now addiction, is a whole different topic for another day.
but you get my point right? what started with freedom, is not freedom anymore.
somehow, in this generation, discipline gets treated as something which takes freedom away from you. people think, you are wasting your life, not enjoying your days, not having.. fun. That you are forcing yourself to not be free.
here comes my take.
Discipline is freedom.
Discipline is the real freedom. Discipline teaches you to not waver in every direction your mind pulls you to. Discipline teaches you how to be consistent, in order to really achieve what you want from life. Discipline will be the reason you don't scroll instagram for 3 hours straight get that project done.
Motivation will only take you so far, but consistency is the reason for success. and for consistency, discipline is the key.
So next time someone tells you discipline is restrictive, just smile—because you know better. You know discipline is the real freedom. The freedom to do anything you really want.
P.S.
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