This is where the vision begins. This is where we begin to plan what we want our life to look like. This is where we start to create a vision for ourselves, so that we can picture our future and, of course, this is where we begin to make it so.
Remember something —
This is an action plan which means we are reaching the point where it is time to put this plan into action.
I am going to ask some questions in this entry, so I will keep this short because I want to keep this interactive. Of course, I want you to think about the questions and answer them where they apply.
I have seen the benefits of replacement. However, I understand that if we are thirsty, then we are thirsty. This means we have to find a way to quench our thirst or solve our hunger.
If drinking or food is a problem, then we can’t just take these things away and expect this to solve the problem. The need is still there. So is the desire and the drive to be satisfied.
We have to ensure that our needs are met.
Understand?
Although this is intended to be mutually interactive, there is a reason behind each of my entries. Today, I have decided to make this entry about me, just a little.
I remember a morning when I was going through a series of heartache and decisions. I remember a time in a basement, where my heartache was so thick and unfortunate that I could not take the pain.
But I had to.
My so-called life had changed in an instant. My life was heading in an unknown direction and worse, I was alone in more ways than I could handle.
I lost myself. I lost love. I lost friends and, more to the point, I lost my way.
I was too sad, too hurt and too confused to understand what was happening. Again, I understood the reasons for my pain. I understood this from an intellectual perspective. However, my emotions and mindset were off, to say the least.
So, in the middle of my passive breakdown, I needed to hear something. I needed a sign. I needed something to bring me up or encourage me—but in moments like this, I find it sad but funny how every random song can come on and somehow remind you of your losses or remind us of better times that will never come around again.
Continue readingOne of the things I am famous for saying is that we are always the square root to our own equation. This means that everything in our life begins, lives, and ends with us.
We are always the square root to our own equation.
If we are talking about facing ourselves in the mirror at the end of the day, and if we are looking at our reflection and looking to come to a constructive conclusion, or if we are growing and looking to improve, then what do we need to add to our lives? Quite the same; what do we need to take away?
There is a personal math which takes place, and this is another helpful item to notice in our action plan. We have to understand what we need to add, or subtract. We need to understand the benefits of how actions can multiply or, in other cases, we have to realize what divides or takes us away from our best possible potential.
Now is not the time to be afraid, nor is it the place to allow yourself to back down or to turn your head away from the goals in front of you. There is no room left for hysteria and there is no more time to waste. We are here to move forward and not waste our energies on old belief systems that kept us stuck or stationary.
If we are here and have come this far in our own program, or if we are working with someone and helping them sort through their action plan to create a transformational change, then we have to be fearless and unwavering and strong.
There is no room left for excuses and no time left to justify our laziness.
Not now. Not anymore.
No. If we have come this far then we have to continue because, of course, we didn’t come this far, just to come this far.
Action creates change.
I was told that if I want to be different, then I would have to live differently, which makes sense, of course.
I was told to change my actions, so that I could change my thinking. Therefore, by replacing thoughts with actions, I could improve feelings and the end result, which are my emotions or my emotional content.
Remember, we are all wired a certain way. Our thinking has a direct impact on our moods and actions.
This is why CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is perhaps the most helpful and successful when it comes to creating transformational changes in our life.
It is important to realize that the first steps are the hardest steps to take. There can be bouts with intimidation. There will be questions about your transformation.
Is this possible?
Can I do this?
Will I fail?
Will I quit?
More importantly, the real question is do I see any value in this?
Do I believe this could be me?
Will this be like every other time I tried to change my life?
Will I be great in the beginning, and lose interest as I go?
There has to be a beginning. We all start from somewhere and, of course, there are times when we need help or we need to figure out when or where to begin, or how.
I have been writing to you for years now. Most of this is for me. However, there is hope, which I have, that somehow or maybe in some way one of my entries can reach out and find someone at their moment of need.
Same as I needed to be inspired, maybe this can find you at a time when you need a push of your own. Maybe something I might say can (or will) motivate your or push you to the point where you are inspired to change.
I want us to have fun with this journal . . .
What does it mean to change or in this case, what is a transformational change?
Of course, the answer is simple. We know what change means. And we know what transformation is.
However, change is such a common word. So, I would like to offer the ideas of transforming or to transform and to become better, or to improve, and to be our best self is an idea that whets the appetite.
We have to have something to inspire us. This is why the ideas of transformational change can be enough to drive or act like a force that promotes our next steps.
We need something to draw us away from the internal narrative or negativity, or we have to be sure to keep from the old belief system that says, this is it.
This is all you are, and this is all you can ever be.
I am a fan of change or more to the point, I am more a fan of transformational changes of the way we are, or the way we think and, of course, I am a huge fan when it comes to the results or how they change the way we act. I believe these changes are lifesaving, or can be.
However, transformational change is far from easy. The tasks can vary, and the steps involved can be painstaking or tedious and, of course, this can be painful and seemingly thankless.
There are times when there is no result in sight.
There are times when the results we find are either limited or less than inspiring. And, of course, there is the ever-growing excuse machine that can distract from our goals.
But why?
Why do people quit?
Why do we quit on ourselves when we know we want more?
The Written Addiction 