If nothing changes, NOTHING changes
If we keep doing what we’ve been doing, we’ll keep getting the same results (and keep feeling the way we’re feeling.) Burning our hand on a hot stove brings immediate changes so we don’t do it again; however, we may suffer emotional pain but continue to volunteer for the very acts that cause our misery. We may:
- Allow someone to repeatedly hurt our feelings but fail to make any preventive changes
- Extend trust to someone after they have proven untrustworthy
- Want to stop a harmful behavior but keep entering situations that trigger the same actions
- Want better relationships but keep repeating patterns that lead to failure or mediocrity.
The only person I can change is me and I will suffer a life of continuing misery if my happiness requires another person to change. Effective change requires that I
- accept and identify the real problem. The symptom may be another person’s actions or the situation, but the root problem lies in my actions, reactions, expectations, perceptions, or motives.
- evaluate and decide on the best solution
- take action to implement that solution.
Prayer: My divine and glorious parent, I ask that you reveal the best direction for change, instill within me the initiative to start this new path, and grant me the power to accomplish any task necessary to improve my life. Help me to be willing to change and be receptive to your guidance.
Take three relaxing breaths; ask your inner spirit to guide your meditation; reflect on the content, pausing for a few minutes in silence.