Change Is Possible

In a conversation recently I was posed this question; “Why do people work on it (changing behavior patterns) for a little while, and then think they are better; only to fall back into the same old patterns? Can anyone really change?” It’s a fair question, and the result is one that plays itself out in lives over and over again. You probably either know someone like this, or feel like it’s you. I’ve done it too.

We live in a society today, especially here in the US, where everything is instant. I remember when I was growing up, my mom would make dinner for the family almost every evening. And often it would take an hour or more to to prepare everything; probably longer if you factored in the thought that went into it beforehand. Today, I can toss a prepared meal from the freezer into the microwave and have something that’s almost as flavorful in about five minutes; eliminating nearly all the personal effort. We have come to expect everything yesterday. So it makes sense that we give up before the process of personal development has had time to create any lasting effect.

Life is a process. And we develop over time. When we are growing up, we learn from our environment. We take on the habits and lifestyles of our mentors (parents). As adults we simply mimic what we’ve learned. (Monkey see, monkey do.) So, when at 45 years old, our marriage is crumbling, and our spouse is telling us that ‘the way you do that is not working‘; we say that we’ve ‘always done it that way.‘ However, 45 years of observing and then recreating a certain pattern doesn’t go away in two weeks, two steps, or two sessions. As the saying goes, Revelation is not transformation. The process of change is a long, sustained, deliberate, intentional effort to first unlearn, and then re-learn. It is truly a Daily Life Journey. Yes, you can change. But it won’t happen over night. And you have to want it, and believe it is possible.

Freedom From Condition

Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood … I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

The Dalai Lama said enlightenment is “freedom from conditioned existence.” I believe our mission here on earth is to find that freedom from conditioned existence; to find the narrow road to life; that road less traveled; and take it. “Carpe’ Dieum,” the poet Hermes wrote. Seize the day. Studies suggest that 75%+ of the population aren’t living the life they desire, or believe they should be. Even if they don’t know what that life looks like, they know the one they’re living is not cutting it.

The journey of life is many things. But it’s supposed to be exciting, and fulfilling, and full of adventure. I know it’s tough too. I know people have hardships and handicaps. And I know the God I serve is bigger than all of that. Jesus said, “behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21 KJV) And that is where we all have to wrestle with this idea that there is more to life than this. And it’s available to us now if we choose to pursue it.

It is my hope that through the Holy Spirit, the right message will penetrate through the words found here – that the content offered here will encourage you, will inspire you, will maybe even awaken and enlighten you. God is stirring hearts today in a new way. When we look above the fog that’s over this world we live in, there is an amazing life waiting for us. And as we rise up into our authentic selves, God is going to use you and me to do great things in this world and in the lives of others.