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Partners for Citizenship & Character serves as a catalyst to initiate, promote, and develop programs to build character and strengthen community. We envision a character-building community where caring, engaged citizens serve with moral courage.

What is Citizenship & Character? That’s a great question, and the answer is something deeper than words. It requires all of the qualities PCC emphasizes each month and more. It is really a lifelong commitment to encouraging these qualities first within ourselves and then in our community.

Each month, Worthington’s Partners for Citizenship and Character (PCC) spotlights a character trait to help focus its activity in the community. The November trait is self-discipline, a particularly timely value. 

As many of our citizens, businesses and other organizations across the U.S. suffer the effects of recession or worse; many blame such economic woes on an inability to exercise self-discipline in spending and overall financial management, Some critics charge that too many are living beyond their means, making financial commitments based on withering credit. 

However true or false, this situation does illustrate the need for self-discipline in several aspects of one’s life. In thinking about self-discipline, it seems to include two basic elements, a constant awareness of the need to be prudent, and an obligation to exercise that responsibility in all aspects of behavior. To practice self-discipline is to avoid excess. It also includes a personal “stick-to-itiveness”quality. 

Self-discipline is largely self-control, giving deliberate thought to how one spends his or her time, interests, talents and other resources. Many see self-discipline as the mark of maturity, exercising mature judgment as a way of life…without external prods and reminders. Some define self-discipline as the ultimate in possessing responsibility. 

Indeed, the unfortunate outcomes/experiences in life can come in large part from an absence of self-discipline. Examples include a failure to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, alcohol or tobacco overindulgence, obsessions, unchecked spending, avoiding challenging goals, and an absence of ambition. 

During November, PCC will be focusing many of its programs on self-discipline. Our Circle of Grandparents will be featuring this theme in their visits to elementary schools. Our newsletter will be illustrating the concept in new ways, while our Student Action Board devotes discussion groups on self-discipline. The ever-expanding PCC Active Parenting classes will also have this trait as a centerpiece. 

Looking through a more positive perspective, one can see that self-discipline is often a prime ingredient of success. It is necessary to learn professional skills, achieve academically, succeed financially, achieve athletically, and avoid damaging temptations. Self-discipline helps keep us on target…on point. Self-discipline is a large part of our internal guidance system of values, a key facet of one’s “conscience.” 

PCC looks forward to working in November to further illustrate the nature and importance of self-discipline. How would you illustrate this quality?

If you are not familiar with PCC’s achievements and activities, please call PCC Executive Director Debbie Sawyer at (614) 337-2351. Make a commitment to PCC!