Change Is A Process

“Find a better job” –Hafiz (as translated by Daniel Ladinsky)

Now

That

All Your Worry

Has Proved

Such An Unlucrative Business,

Why Not Find

A Better Job.

Change is a process. Often when people come to me seeking change in their lives, the first thing that arises is resistance. We can choose to become aware that the impulse to resist keeps us stagnant and suspended from personal growth. But we must remember that stagnation equals death. If we are conscious we will question our resistance. Through questioning resistance we create an opening. We can then decide what we will choose to do; we can discern what is motivating our resistance. We may then choose to ask whether it is in our true best interest to change or not. If real growth is to take place, we must be open enough to discern this.

Resistance often takes the form of fear. Fear is often a story you tell yourself about the future which has not yet happened. These stories (beliefs) are self-imposed limits about what is possible in your life. Fear is a story that things will be bad; won’t work, are not possible. Fear, when questioned, often doesn’t stand up to truth.

All things that live on this planet grow, are in the process of growing, or becoming dormant, and dying. We too must grow in spirit in order to stay conscious and pliable. If we are willing to question the habits of our day-to-day life and habits of thought, we can open ourselves to a wondrous world; we can challenge our fears and our stories about who we are that keep us from stretching to be our best possible self.

Tool: Impeccability with your word.

The four agreements (by Don Miguel Ruiz) are a foundation that helps support you through change. They can be your guide when questioning your beliefs, fears and stories.

Impeccability with your word means speaking with love and truth both inside your mind and in the outside world. How many times a day do we say things that we do not mean, or that hurt others, and ourselves? How many times a day do you judge yourself? The process of change is one step at a time. Just for now, become aware of what you are saying without judgment. And maybe, as you become aware of your thoughts, you can begin to change what you have just said to yourself or to another to a more truthful statement. For example, I might slip on the sidewalk and then hear myself say “that was stupid!” Becoming aware, I might soften the statement to say “wow, that was scary!” Without judgment, I can look for solution and release blame.

Impeccability means becoming willing to love yourself without judgment. Practice saying exactly what you mean. Practice speaking with love and compassion.