Change for Good #1
Peeling yourself off of the couch when you are filled with a sense of post-holiday malaise can be difficult. But, it’s a new year! Fresh start. So, let’s examine what’s happening and re-program for the good.
If you find it challenging to take action (now or anytime), it’s probably because you don’t feel like it. And if you don’t feel like doing anything, the origin of that sluggishness is most likely in your thoughts.
When I was teaching my daughter (now a high school senior) to ride her bike at about age 5, she was afraid. After some initial attempts with poor teaching methods by her father, she didn’t want to practice…she didn’t feel like it. So, we went to an open university parking lot during the summer. I tried a new method. And, I reminded her of the story of “The Little Engine That Could.”
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,” she whispered. Her posture changed along with her mood. As she experienced success, I heard her whisper grow into a shout, “I’m doing it, I’m doing it, I’m doing it! I’m riding my bike!” This simple instance of triumph points to what can happen with practice over time.
Essentially, you are changing your mind for good when you start this positive chain reaction in your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This method is well documented in the world of psychology.
What if you identified one thing that you don’t feel like doing? What if you intentionally begin to change your mind about it, to generate new and better thoughts? After some effort, you feel better, lighter, more hopeful. And with better thoughts and feelings moving you in the right direction, you begin to take positive action.
Naturally, this will require LOTS of practice. Often, the first step of redirecting your thoughts comes up against significant resistance. Even as you advance to breakthroughs, you will still experience setbacks and challenges and difficult situations. You will certainly need further guidance beyond this brief explanation to work through clinical conditions.
But, you CAN change your mind for good! And you can start today.
Think better, feel better, and do better.
Worth Repeating
Change your thoughts and you change your world.
-Norman Vincent Peale
