I am MY Habits

I’m on Day Three of my Santa Fe Walking Goal. Had it not been for a phone call from a gal who said she “might” meet me there this morning, let me just say, I probably would’ve slacked off. I didn’t sleep well last night, so it was a rough morning forcing myself outta bed, getting the kids off to school and then knowing I had to go to the trail in case this gal was there. My body was craving warm covers and sleep.
But I went. And she never showed up. And I walked my bahooey off again…I can feel my leg muscles again. And my bum muscles are starting to burn after being flattened for the winter months as I sat here at the pc trying to be clever and relevant in blogland.
Once I got my bahooey moving, it was so worth it. As I was coming off the trail I thought, “I am my habits. Good or bad, it’s who I am.” It was so good to get to the car and know I am changing my habits for the better. What a sense of accomplishment!
SO I got home and googled “How to Change Habits”…I came across some info that further cements my desire for change. But before I get to that, let me tell you there were several dogs on the trail this morning…a black lab, 4 goldens, several little yippy dogs ( I don’t know what breed), and a bichon frise. (did I spell that one right?) It’s no secret I am seriously a dog stalker. So, here’s a little insight into what my Saturday will involve…shhhh don't tell the kids.

Ok and back to the articles.. the 1st is from a talk by Marvin K. Ashton, citing an experience he had with habits:

“I am acquainted with a wife and mother who is chained securely at the present time to a life-style of murmuring and criticism. She is the first to point out faults in her husband or to repeat neighborhood gossip. How damaging is a habit that permits fault-finding, character assassination, and the sharing of malicious rumors! Gossip and caustic comments often create chains of contention. These chains may appear to be very small, but what misery and woe they can cause!”

That example hit a nerve on me…reminding me how powerful my sphere of influence and words can be.

More of his counsel:

To change or break some of our chains even in a small way means to give up some behavior or habits that have been very important to us in the past. Generally this is frightening. Change involves risks. “How will people react and respond to me if I change and am different?” Even if our present way of life is painful and self-destructive, some of us think it serves a purpose, and so we become comfortable with it.
Every worthy change means risk—the risk of losing an old and damaging habit for a new and improved way of life.
If fear and an unwillingness to take the risk and challenge of the better way of life gain the upper hand, we will not be able to change. Shakespeare in Measure for Measure says it this way: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt” (act 1, scene 4).
This catchy couplet fits so many of us. “Procrastination is a silly thing, it only brings me sorrow, but I can change at any time! I think I will—tomorrow!”
Shaking off restrictive chains requires action. They cannot be wished away. A declaration will never break chains. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and work.
Chains weigh heavily on troubled hearts and souls. They relegate us to lives of no purpose or light. They cause us to become confused and lose the spirit. We need to arise from the dust and enjoy the fresh air of righteousness. We need to move forward in patience, understanding, love, and never-ending commitment.

I also came across this article that I think is practical…you can hit the link and go check it out!
http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Steps-To-Change-Any-Habit&id=878559


And finally, here’s a bit from another article that was helpful as I seek to change habits for the better and become the Master of my Self:

It Takes 21 Days To Break A Bad Habit--To begin with, choose one unhealthy habit you wish to eliminate or change. Or, choose a healthy habit you want to adopt as part of your behavior. If it is a habit to eliminate, you may wish to go "cold turkey" or have a gradual tapering off. Caution: If it is a drug or chemical habit you are planning on eliminating, be sure to obtain an expert's opinion as to whether you need to taper off usage as opposed to quitting cold turkey.
Now that you have decided which unhealthy habit to eliminate, or new habit to adopt, decide on the date you will begin your behavior change. Give this date a good deal of thought and then write it down. For example, "On February 15, 2001, I will become a non-smoker."
In order to ensure behavior change, experts agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to change a behavior. Again, look at the date you are planning on changing your habit. Count ahead 21 days and mark that date down. Now, make a commitment that you will follow your plan for 21 days.
http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/oldnews6/habit.htm

So that’s my little discovery on the Santa Fe trail today….happy trails everyone!