Compassionate Self Discipline by Nneka Kelly

Does such a thing even exist? I was introduced to the concept of compassionate self discipline by Cheri Huber's There Is Nothing Wrong With You. The book, as the title implies, is about accepting yourself just the way you are.
When I first read the book, I didn't comprehend it. I thought that it was well-intentioned. The handwriting print was endearing and lulled me into comfort. As a hard core perfectionist, though, the message of the book was lost on me. After about a year, I started to get it. Since that time, I've learned that compassionate self discipline is the practice of doing what you need to do while accepting where you are.
I used to think of discipline in drill sargeant terms. Every time I heard the word I would grit my teeth, buckle down, and plow through. When I couldn't do the task perfectly or get the results I wanted, I would beat myself up, grit my teeth, buckle down, and plow through. I would repeat the cycle several times until I just gave up. My health is the area that I applied the most grit too. Always, in the end, beating myself up. I failed miserably. Finally, I decided to just let it go. So much for discipline.
It was during Bikram Yoga that the idea of compassionate self discipline resurfaced. The instructor kept referring to the "practice". It was all about doing your best, being in the moment. When you're 275 lbs in a room that's over 100 degrees, it's enough to just breathe. The first class I cried when I realized I could not be perfect. I thought it was because I was so unhealthy, but I later realized that it was because my pride was broken. I started to approach things differently.
So how do you do compassionate self discipline? I practice. Everyday, I practice meditation, I practice eating only when I'm hungry, I practice being honest with myself and others, I practice seeing Myself in others, I practice being Myself. I am not perfect. When my mind wonders during meditation, I gently bring it back. If I find myself eating aimlessly, I stop. I have taken the anger and self-hatred out of the equation. It's proving a much better method to develop discipline.
It's not a quick fix, but I am seeing results and I feel sane. You will too!
This article is part of a 2-part series on Compassionate Self Discipline, you can visit http://www.balancedlifecenter.com/blog to read the second part. You can also enjoy a daily inspirational pick me up and insights to help you apply spirituality to life.

Nneka is a lifelong student of metaphysics and spiritual practice. Putting Spiritual Truths into everyday practice is one of her personal goals. Helping people do the same is the ultimate goal of her site, Balanced Life Center - Spirituality Applied to Life.