Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
– Scottish Himalayan Expedition, by W.H. Murray
Do you ever feel stuck? Trapped? That change is too difficult or even impossible? Well, you are correct. Change is difficult and nearly impossible.
Personally, I have struggled trying to change many aspects of my life that are not consistent with who I want to be. And honestly, most of the time I fail. I fail every day. Yup. Flat on my face. Maybe one endearing quality I do possess is the ability to get back up and face the world. Good for me. On the other hand, it becomes incredibly frustrating to smash my head against the same wall over and over and expect a different outcome (the definition of insanity some like to say!!)
How Do We Change?
I have found that change comes with two ingredients, and without these ingredients change is nearly impossible: Commitment and Daily Practice.
What is a commitment? It’s a dedication to a cause or an activity. Many talk about commitment. But, most do not go deep enough to create an effective commitment. What a lot of people do not talk about is where that commitment comes from. What do I mean? Well, think of it this way: Why do you want a change in your life? Let’s use the example of weight loss. Do you want to lose weight because you feel badly about how you feel about yourself? Do you feel guilty? Judged? Do you suffer from low self-esteem because of it? Is fear or negativity the driving motivation for your commitment to lose weight?
Or, is the idea of weight loss something that gives you a sense of greatness, of control, of health, of greater expression?
Asking yourself the basis of your commitment and where it comes from can help you determine the outcome of your commitment. Do you think that a negative motivation or a positive motivation will be more effective to get the results you are looking for?
Commitment Comes from Deep Inside
The philosopher Joseph Campbell stated the following:
“If you have the guts to follow the risk, life opens, opens, opens up all along the line. If one follows what I call one’s “bliss” – the thing that really gets you deep in the gut and that you feel is your life – doors will open up. They do!”
Figure out your bliss. Figure out what it is you want. Don’t fool yourself. You know what you want. Don’t listen to others. Give yourself credit for being a good person with the correct motivations, and go for it!
Daily Practice
“Do something every day.” – Shirfu J.J.J
Once you have committed, you have to practice. Depending on the size of the commitment or what it is you want to change, you may have to practice a little, or you may have to practice a lot. One thing for certain that all I have studied and have found to be true on change is that once you commit to it, you must practice at it every day.
As we all go through changes in our lives, keep it focused and keep it simple. This is your life. You are in control of it. Feel the “bliss,” the happiness. This is your want. This is the basis of your commitment. Then its “Go Time!” Commit to it and practice at it every day.
Enjoy the changes and enjoy your life!
“The moment one definitely commits oneself, the Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor, all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
– Scottish Himalayan Expedition, by W.H. Murray
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