Embrace Change.....Break the cycles of Unhealthy and Negative Habits

It's another New Year and the question I am inspired to ask you is,

"Have you already resigned yourself to living your life the same as last year or possibly the years before that? Or have you made a commitment to move forward and embrace change now... NO MATTER WHAT?"

I am going to share with you a few great ways to help you break the cycles of unhealthy and negative habits. These are not my methods, I did not create them...these are time tested and effective methods to embrace change. But first I'd like to help you explore some of the reasons why you might have gotten stuck to begin with.

Let's start with your inner dialogue. Do you know that your conscious mind can only do a few things? Its primary responsibilities are to analyze, store short term memories, and plan. On the other hand, the majority of your capabilities come from your subconscious mind. This is where your long term memory, emotions and feelings, habits, relationships, patterns, addictions, involuntary bodily functions, creativity, developmental stages, spiritual connection and intuition (to name a few)come from.

The most important thing to know about your subconscious mind is that it cannot process a negative command. When you use (think) a word like "want"... the subconscious literally will interpret your "wanting" and it will assist you in "wanting" for as long as you keep wanting. So, if you "want" to quit smoking ...your wish is its command.

Life is basically easy. I'm sure your thinking that I'm full of bull for saying this...but stick with me for a minute to explore a different point of view. I promise it's worth it. Besides, you might be surprised to learn why "not believing" that life is easy might be linked to your inability to move forward.

Do you know that the seed of your power is held in the choices you make? I bet you knew that, but have you ever truly considered the depth and breadth of your choices? Most people haven't. The fact is you literally have the opportunity to make a choice nearly every second of your life. How many of these are clear, healthy, conscious choices ? Or do you frequently check out and run on automatic? Interesting question, right?

So what stops you from making clear, healthy and positive choices...all of the time? The answer is simple..... self awareness! Yes, I know. This word turns some people off. Do you think it is over used and part of the "woo-woo" world of those that are seeking enlightenment, bliss or some other magical realm that exists only in their imagination? Or could the meaning be misunderstood?

First, let me dispel some of the myths, distortions and negative attitudes about the term "self aware." It is not necessary to associate yourself with a particular ideology or religion to become more self aware . Trust me; to become more "self-aware" is not tantamount to following a guru or becoming one. As a matter of fact, you are already engaged in becoming self-aware...it's really what life is all about. Self-aware is simply self-love. Yes, your life is about loving yourself first so that there is more of you to share with the rest of us. And yes, we've had it backwards. It is our being that most affects our doing and having. And by all means, please don't mistake "self-love" for self-absorbed and narcissistic...both of which are indeed very negative. (I'll write another article on this another time.)

So back to how easy life really is... a few years ago I ran across a quote that I believe does a great job at organizing the how's of life. If you only followed these simple truths your life will change. I promise. "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. — Unknown"

Change begins choosing your thoughts so that you can choose how to speak and act on them. It's easy....right? Well the concept is easy...putting it into action does take courage, willingness and commitment. Becoming responsible for your thoughts requires you to identify those that are in alignment with the end result you want. It also requires you to sort out those that go against you. You get to rewrite your inner dialogue, it's your choice.

There are some great steps to rewriting your inner dialogue that I will blog about later, first, begin by being clear about which changes you most want to make. Here is a list of time tested methods for manifesting your choices. The first choice is to begin.

Begin by using these questions to help you identify and clarify the changes you have chosen to make in your life.

1. What are the changes you most want to make?
2. Have you clearly identified your intentions and goals?
3. Have you written them down?
4. Have you developed a step by step plan toward achieving these changes?
5. Have you verbalized these intentions and goals by sharing them with someone you trust to support you?
6. Have you made a vision board of the end results?
7. Have you spent time envisioning these as if they are complete? (Envisioning is creating a mental picture with the emotion as if it were already so.)
8. Finally, you must act as if these changes are in the present. Before you know it...life couldn't be any other way.