Originally posted on Facebook HERE
Been thinking a lot this week about change. No, not the change you get after buying new wipers at Fleet Farm… but change – as in making changes in your life. Everything is in flux always, everything that appears solid is moving, it’s all energy, and you can resist all you want, but to live is to change. Constantly. Every second is different from the next, and the only time we have any control over is now… and it’s gone. By the time you read the word “now”, it’s gone and that was then, this is now… and it’s gone. Change is a part of life. It’s always easier to stick with what you know, even if what you know isn’t a great option. If you eat three huge meals a day and never exercise, that’s not a great option for optimum health. You could eat less and start an exercise program, but, man… that sounds tough. Easier to just keep doing what you’re doing, or “cut it back a little”. Which typically means it’ll change for a brief period of time before reverting back to the norm. Big changes often don’t come unless one of two things happen – either we hit a “bottom”, where even a tough change looks better than the alternative, or change is “forced” upon us (job change, life threatening disease, etc). In general, we love to create ruts in our lives, grooves that we know, paths we understand, and stick with them no matter what. For me, this is where journaling comes in really handy, because I want to question everything I do, always. Is there a better way? What would make me happier? What changes could I consider to make this extremely short period I have here on earth a better experience? One of the best things my life coach (yes, I have a life coach – wipe that smirk off your face, hippie) Alisha M. Wielfaert helped me with was introducing me to the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. In it, she talks about doing something called “Morning Pages” – which is basically writing three pages a day every day when you first get up. Doesn’t matter what you write, just write. Whatever’s on your mind. Some days will be easy. Other days you’ll struggle. I always wonder about the days I struggle, because you can’t turn your thoughts off, and this is all about “stream of consciousness” writing, so how can you struggle? Just write the thoughts! Yet, some days are a struggle. I highly recommend this book, and specifically that practice. Think about everything. Make choices that are in your best interest. Love everything you do, and you’ll love your life, and that love will be reflected back to you. Changes are coming whether you want them or not, so take control and change to the script you want to live by instead of blindly following the ruts. We struggle with change, but when we take control and realize any and every change can serve us, and truly believe it – that’s what we’ll see. What could be better? What could you do about it? Does the idea of making that change excite you enough to move forward? Then go for it. Don’t let life dictate changes by hitting a bottom, or being forced on you. We don’t always have that choice, but when we realize everything we do has other options and live according to our own inner passion, we’ll live a happier, more fulfilling life. And if a change is thrust upon us, our default thought will be “this is going to wind up being a good thing for me”, no matter what the news.
