by Linda-Ann Stewart

For most people, change isn’t easy. I’m not talking about the rearranging of your environment, like redecorating, or taking trips. Those can be either distractions to avoid the discomfort that comes with change or a way of shaking things up to be able to view them from a fresh perspective. But if you’re like most people, even when it’s best for you, you do your best to postpone change. You may even deny you need to change, and then the Universe hits you with a cosmic hammer between the eyes, and it’s impossible to avoid the issue. Some smoker’s won’t quit even if their smoking has put their lives at risk.

Most people hope that some outside force will rescue them and put their life in order. But there is no Knight in Shining Armor or Superhero who will sweep you away and make your life whole. If there’s a financial issue, it’s unlikely you’re going to win the lottery. A person who is taking advantage of you isn’t going to miraculously stop unless you start saying, “no.” God can only do for you what It can do through you. The Universe isn’t going to save you from yourself. Affirmations and positive thinking change your mindset to allow more good in, but you’re the one who has to make the shift.

Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It would be like someone with heart disease, who has had multiple heart attacks, refusing to change their lifestyle and eating habits yet expect their health to improve. There’s an old joke about a man who goes to the doctor and says, “It hurts every time I hit my hand with a hammer.” The doctor recommends, “Quit hitting your hand with the hammer.”

Most people have to be pushed into a corner before they finally make the leap. You might have been getting postcards from the Universe that you need to deal with a problem at your job, a friendship or relationship that you’ve outgrown, or your current location. Each message you get, like not being appreciated or getting recognition for your talents, is a signal that you need to commit yourself to your well-being. You may hope that things will get better without your doing anything. But instead, they will deteriorate, and as time passes, so will your options. Ask yourself, “How bad does it have to get before I take some action?”

Deciding to go in a different direction takes motivation and commitment. Many times, life has to get intolerable before people decide to change. Most want a magic wand to take away the discomfort and put them on the new path without any work on their part. It would be nice, and occasionally does happen that way, but not very often. Change generally only happens after a lot of contemplating and planning for it.

Sometimes, when you get your mind clear, the Universe will bail you out of a difficulty. But if you haven’t changed your behaviors or learned from the experience, each time you pray to be rescued, you will receive less and less assistance. It’s similar to the fable of the boy who cried, “Wolf!”

When you first get some clues that something in your life needs to be addressed, you need to take stock and bring awareness to the issue. Where are you feeling uncomfortable? What’s the problem? What caused it? What needs to change? Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” What are you willing to do, and not willing to do?

Louis Pasteur said, “Chance favors a prepared mind.” Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for change. Visualize the improvement you want in your life. Write down the steps, no matter how small, you need to take and begin putting them into action. Use affirmations to motivate yourself and stay focused. As you do, the Universe will bring unexpected opportunities to you.

Affirmation

I am now willing to make the changes in my life that will bring me greater harmony, abundance, health, and joy. Whatever I need to do, I now commit myself to putting into action. I am guided to anything and everything I need to make the positive changes in my life. My resolve strengthens, I am motivated and inspired, and all of Life supports me in my goal to improve my quality of living.

Copyright 2008 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

self improvement, self help, personal growth, personal development, motivation