I love the title to a Richard Foster's, book called Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. It seems like such a dichotomy in terms. As a rue we don't typically think that discipline is a reason to celebrate. Discipline reminds us of our mom grabbing our ear and dragging us to the corner of the room, where we have to remain staring at the cobwebs for what seemed like an eternity. Celebrate? I don't think so.

But what if discipline leads us to our goals, our intentions, our inner spirit that longs for us to know the true way of our heart?

If your reaction to the idea of discipline is negative, ask yourself what it is inside of you that would run from the purity and the wholeness of who you are? Is it simply a lack of discipline; or what is often called diligence and vigilance.

To better understand what I mean by diligence, let us look at the dictionary definition of the word:

diligence (dl-ins) n.

1. Earnest and persistent application to an undertaking; steady effort; assiduity.

2. Attentive care; heedfulness.

So, if you use diligence, you will certainly achieve your goals. Take, for instance, a weight loss program.

What is it inside of us that motivates us like nothing else to achieve our goals? It is simply this: Find that one inside of you who is everything you really want and already are. That person says, "I want to be healthy and beautiful more than anything else. I want to live the life that is meant for me. And I will not live any other way."

My friend and patient, Judy is doing just that. She spent years seeking for the beauty inside and the wholeness of who she is. She has found her lovely inner and outer self as we worked together. She did it, in part, by confronting her fear that fat protected her. Then she released it. That release allowed her to be thin, beautiful, healthy, powerful and strong.

With her diligence, vigilance and a commitment that never failed, (despite some jogs off the path) she is blissfully joyful and celebrates her new thin life. In a recent email, she told me "I love my life!"

Now she is truly in the Celebration of Discipline.

I am honored to be her support.