How to Prepare for Change

Chaos always reigns until a decision is made. (A Course in Miracles. ) Once you make a decision for change, you must be willing to do something differently. If nothing changes, nothing changes. The very thing that you do not want to give up may be the one thing you need most to surrender. Even when change is in our best interest, we will face much resistance. If is difficult to give up some of the patterns we have because, we usually operate on automatic pilot. Many behaviors are unconscious. Once we learn to drive, we give little thought to operating a motor vehicle unless we have an accident, and are jolted into consciousness about our driving habits.

Some individuals are just plain stubborn. When faced with the need to change they become self-righteous, get angry, and like the ancient kings they kill the messenger. Others become withdrawn and depressed and feel an overwhelming sense of quilt and shame for being less than perfect. Willingness is the corrective tool for both of these defects.

Change involves developing a new identity. We must change inside in order to change what we experience in our outer world. There is a change in belief systems, thought patterns, change speaking patterns and word choices, and a change in those with whom we associate. If I want to be a world-class skater, I need to think like a world-class skater. I must seek and spend time with those who have this mind set and incorporate their vocabulary. If I stubbornly insist in spending my time with those whose values are different, I will vicariously adopt their values and loose sight of my own.

Change involves pain, and we must be willing to ride through the pain for a better quality of life. When we fight to hold onto our old habits and believe systems, we identify the very things we need to surrender most. Those individuals who are the most successful have often suffered the most pain. It is in knowing what to give up that helps propel us forward. Individuals who wish to become couple must be willing to change. One cannot stay married with a "single" mindset. Divorce is very common these days because few are will to be committed to the pain of growth. Instead of looking at a relationship as a vehicle for growth, the look to have it fill needs they should be filling before considering marriage.

Often change is like peeling an onion. Change takes place in layers. Often we must remove the superficial layers to find the real meat of the fruit inside. This often become a lifetime occupation, for we are continually evolving and in constant states of change. Newton's law of kinematics, motion, gravitation and momentum applies to change. "Once a object (change) is set in motion is tends to stay in motion unless acted on by another force to stop that motion."

Newton's law also applies to reaction to change. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Those around you may want to keep things status quo. When you begin to initiate change it is often painful for those who surround you because they must start to facilitate changes in themselves. If they are not willing, their energy will work against you. Be willing to face the pain because Newton's law also states that "every body in the universe attracts every other body" and you may be the star that attracts the light of another star. There are powerful forces in the universe and the strong force will draw the weaker force.

Because change is a process, it really doesn't matter where you begin. There are many avenues to assist with change. Some enter into therapy, enroll in a class, and others begin with meditation or prayer. One level of change will always lead to another. One teacher or one book will always lead to another one that is more in depth.

Change on one plane will spark change on another. If change starts on the physical plane, and one begins working out and eating balanced meals the effect will be felt by more mental alertness and an increased spiritual sense of well-being. If the change is made on the spiritual plane, fasting may bring about and improved body image and more mental capacity. If the change takes place mentally, the individual will also be more conscious of his mental and spiritual well-being.