Self Control

In the last few months, the issues of violent crime and the “credit crunch” have dominated the headlines of our local and national media. The problem of our young people feeling the need to carry and use dangerous weapons and the economic turmoil that has somewhat succeeded a long period of economic prosperity are the topics of conversation in many gatherings. As a result, people have had to readjust their thought patterns on spending, socialising and many other aspects of their lives.
Whilst many have blamed the media for blowing both situations out of proportion, I have chosen another angle to look at these issues. I am of the opinion that both the credit crunch and the issue of violent crime are offspring of the carefree lifestyles most of us live. Due to the recent successes of past governments, our lives have been made more convenient, leading to many people placing the priority on secondary things in life – such as money, status etc. I know that at this point many readers will think to themselves that they have heard and/or read similar words many times over – and they are true. What I have never heard or read is a suggestion on how to combat the carefree attitude we have developed. My suggestion is self control.
I believe we live in a day and age where self expression in whatever way possible is encouraged, and sometimes unnecessarily so. Whilst I agree that it is very important to express one's self, I think it is even more important to be in control of whatever form you choose to express yourself in. Expression without control is more often than not an outburst as it lack the ability to guide or direct itself in the direction it needs to go. As much as we have to push ourselves through to be seen, we should try, if possible, to gauge the possible outcome(s) of our actions and act accordingly. Instead of cutting our coats according to our size, we should cut according to our cloth. And if we do not have enough cloth to make our coats, we should pursue other options that might not be as expensive.
The ability to say no to one's self and deny one's self of some things that might be beneficial in the short run but not so beneficial in the long run is the sort of discipline needed to weather the storms of the credit crunch and violent crime we are facing today. If we are ready to deny ourselves that certain expense and try to stack that money away in the interest of more beneficial and well thought-out ventures in the future, we stand a better chance of coming through these tough times without digging ourselves further down the hole we are already in.
If we can teach our children and young people that not having those 15 minutes of fame in the “ends” for committing a violent crime as well as making the sacrifice of doing something that might seem boring and lifeless in the interest of having a better and well rounded future, they will have a better chance of going through their childhood as children in a civilised society and not ones in a quasi-war zone. The older generation have to learn self control, especially with things pertaining to money whilst the younger generation need to learn self control in terms of sacrifice, self denial and seeing beyond the pleasures of the present.
Self control is possible and the only thing that will put an hindrance between the concept and the successful execution is how it is approached. I am a firm believer that as long as something is humanly possible and you put your mind to it, you can/will achieve it. Start today by controlling your reaction to reading this piece. Be it negative or positive.