The Roman philosopher Lucretius postulated that change is the death of that which was before. Why is change so difficult, and what can I learn about change that will help me to see it as a gift, instead of a dreadful thing?
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Entrée: Doing the
Remarkable by Jim
Rohn
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When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: what can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What can you do when you've run out of money, when you don't feel well and it's all gone sour? What can you do?
Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.
Here is why humans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable. Humans are different than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog. But that's not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.
Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Try reaching down inside of yourself; you'll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts. They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed.
With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change. If you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you; change it. If something doesn't please you, change it. You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your present address change it - you're not a tree!
If there is one thing to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessary things, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That's true excitement.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
About the author:
Jim Rohn, is widely respected as America's foremost business philosopher. To subscribe to the Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to jimrohn.com or send a blank email to subscribe@jimrohn.com.
Main Course: No
Guarantees
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The signals are there, and it's time to take action.
But not yet... Please, can't I just put it off until later? I need time to think some more about it. I need the security I have right now, and this change seems like it is going to put me way out there on the limb. Way, way out of my comfort zone.
What if I become a whole different person because of this change?What if things get worse? What if the new job doesn't work out, or the boss is a jerk? What if my next relationship is worse than the last? What if the kids don't like the new school? What if the people in the new neighborhood aren't as nice as they were in the old neighborhood? What if I don't like the pastor at the new church? What if...?
No, I'm not going there if that is going to happen. I'll just stay right here and deal with it. I'll just wait and see if it get's worse, before I commit to any other course of action. Yes, that's the answer. It is a comfortable place, right here... Well, comfortable enough, anyway. Isn't it? I've learned to deal with what comes my way, and I'm doing fine, thanks. I have things just where I want them, don't I? Why should my life change?
Call me a short-term hedonist, then. It's easier to just accept what pleasure I can find this moment, than it is to look into the future. Thinking about it scares me, so I won't think about it. No, sir. I'll stay right here.
Anyway, I have enough energy to deal with the sleeplessness, I think. I even have enough activity in my life to distract me from this whole matter. Maybe if I worked harder, or if I did this or that just a little differently, perhaps I could get a different result. I could even ignore this situation, and it might even resolve itself... maybe. Better yet, there must be a hundred things I could do, right where I am at, to make things better. I don't really need this change, do I?
Besides, I have a low frustration tolerance. If I must change, I want it to be easy. I want a guarantee that the change will be successful. Yes, if there are to be changes, I want them to come with guaranteed happiness.
Change? Not if it messes up what I have now. No, thanks. Unless I know, with certainty, that it will be a change for the better. Because I don't want to be one of those that goes from the frying pan to the fire because of this change.
How about it? Can I get a guarantee?
Michael Rawls, Friday's Inspiration © 2003
Second Helping: Expand
Beyond Your Comfort Zone by Linda-Ann
Stewart
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Have you ever felt yourself being pulled in two different directions? Many years ago, I really wanted to move to Sedona. But when the time came to pack, I was reluctant to leave Houston, where I'd grown up. Even though I didn't like my old home, it was a familiar place. I knew where things were, and what the environment was like. Sedona would be a complete change, from city to small town, from suburbs to the country. It was a change I desperately desired, but still it was scary.
Take a look at your life. Is it everything you want it to be? Are you as happy as you'd like? Do you have the prosperity you want, the relationships, the health? If you're not experiencing all that you want in life, then you're keeping yourself from it. Infinite Life wants to give you all the good you can hold. If you're not constantly accepting more good in your life, you've settled into a rut. This is called a comfort zone. Everyone does this, in some way or other.
I've heard of prisoners who are freed, who have waited years to be released. But once they have their freedom, they can't handle it. They've spent so many years having someone telling them when to eat, when to sleep, when to exercise, that they can't function without anyone telling them what to do. Therefore, some former prisoners deliberately commit another crime simply to be caught and put back in prison. They have been forced out of their comfort zone, and want back in.
Most of us don't have quite this extreme situation. But have you ever had an opportunity that you turned down out of fear? Some people will work hard to succeed, and just as it's about to happen, they will sabotage it. They'll forget a vital appointment, they'll get sick, they'll begin to drink, or insult the boss. Their comfort zone may not be comfortable, but it is familiar.
What is it that causes people to remain in their comfort zone? Many people have a fear of the unknown. When faced with a new situation, they don't know if they can handle it, doubting their abilities. Just like I felt about my move.
A person may have a fear of responsibility. I know of people that have done menial jobs all of their lives, and turned down managerial duties because they didn't want the additional authority.
Even remaining at the same income level can be a way of staying in your comfort zone. Or not being able to exceed a certain amount in your savings account. Accepting only so much good in any one area is a way of keeping yourself in a situation that you're familiar with. By doing so, you don't have to handle the anxiety of any uncertainties. You're on well-known terrain, and know all the hills and valleys.
What it comes down to is that most people don't feel worthy of experiencing more of what Infinite Life offers. A woman will put up with a verbally abusive spouse, because she's been convinced that she deserves his attacks. Or a man will suffer with a raging boss, because he doesn't believe he can find a better job. (These are gender interchangeable.) A person may want to be healthier, but doesn't take the action necessary to do so, such as stopping smoking, exercising, and eating properly. Whenever there can be something done for change, and nothing is done, it's due to a lack of self-esteem. A person doesn't think enough of themselves to leave the marriage, change jobs, stand up for themselves, or take care of themselves.
So how can you tell if you're keeping yourself in a comfort zone? Is there anything that you are unhappy with? Do you want more in some area of your life? Notice what thoughts go through your mind about that area. Be aware of the feelings that arise when you consider a change. Does fear surface? Fear of what? Remember, all that you desire is already yours. You're the only person that's keeping yourself in your comfort zone.
By becoming aware of what you're thinking and feeling, you can begin to dissolve the limitations that have kept you there. Life wants to give you more. And all of Life is supporting you in your expansion.
About the author:
Considering herself a teacher and guide,Linda wishes to help people achieve their goals, build a greater sense of self-acceptance, and empower them to utilize their own potential for healing. She's a member of the National Board for Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Anaesthesiology and the National Association for Transpersonal Psychology. In her personal life, she's an award winning weaver and photographer. Linda-Ann loves to hike with her significant other, Jeff. To order Cedarfire products, or for more information on hypnotherapy or seminars, contact Linda-Ann Stewart by E-mail, or visit Cedarfire.com.
Soup to Nuts: From the feedback
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Maya dropped me a line this week, recommending a movie. "You
MUST see it! A little quantum physics, talk of multiple realities,
etc. Part documentary, part story, filmed in Portland. It is
remarkable. You MUST see it at the Baghdad Theater on Hawthorne as some of
the
scenes in the movie are filmed there." Visit www.whatthebleep.com to learn more! Go
see it when it comes around to your favorite theatre. That is what I am doing
with my Saturday Night this week.
With respect to last week's message, Yes or No, Maralyn wrote, "A super sharing. We are so grateful for you, Michael. Prayers and blessings to all those in need." I can always count on you to cheer me on, and I appreciate your kind words and prayers. I think the world would spin just a bit slower without people like all of you readers and subscribers!
Vicki commented, "I went to your site today and yes, you are a typical man - you don't like to be organized. What I, as a reader, need from you is type that is big enough to read easily. Otherwise, I will surf on. Type size counts! Another suggestion would be to simplify it's look overall. Less of everything would be more. I will go back, and look at it with an eye to what stops me from staying. Overall, it is the busyness of it. Too much information, in short. We are all being bombarded by info. What we want is clarity." I have changed the web article over the years to be more "ADA accessible," but I know it is not enough. The text size is adjustable, in your browser or mail reader, in the more recent pages. Perhaps when the entire site is overhauled (this summer??) it will offer clarity, instead of a wild collection of thoughts. Half the fun, for me anyway, is just digging around and seeing what is in there.
JoanS from Ontario, Canada, wrote "Thank you so much for listing me in your prayer section. I had written to you about a possible cancer recurrence and yes, it was confirmed I have a recurrence of my chest tumor - a liposarcoma. I am in radiation right now and surgery will be performed in a few weeks. I just wanted you and your readers to know how much their prayers have been, and will continue to be, appreciated. It's amazing how much you find you are really loved when a crisis happens. Thank you so much." May 22nd was the last word I got from Joan. It is our prayer that the surgery and recovery has gone well! I am patiently waiting for an email from JoanS that employs the word "remission."
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