Change happens all by itself. It is an inevitable part of life. However, you can purposefully invite change with a few simple steps.
Slow down
There is no way you can manage change unless you slow down long enough to figure out what it is you want to change and what you want to change it to. For instance, my life would be more serene if I would learn to let my life unfold. I would like to learn to allow things to happen and do something about them after they show up. What facet of your life do you want to change?
Be more mindful
What is working in your life? What are you doing to make that happen? What is not working? What are you doing to make it not work? How do you feel? How do you want to feel? Take time to contemplate what you want. Notice what you would like to change and set about making it a positive experience.
I am a natural and outstandingly good organizer. I instantaneously seem patterns and connections. I often draw a conclusion based on the rapid assimilation of impressions and concepts and take immediate action steps. What I’d really like to do is to learn to let things unfold and simply shape them as they come. My first step is to become aware of the times I leap into action without waiting for circumstances to unfold. Only when I discover why I take a particular action can I begin to change it. Become mindful of your choices and the motivation behind them.
Make a small change and notice the result.
Choose a change that is big enough to get some results and small enough to be easy to do. I’m learning to stay quiet in a decision-making environment (like a meeting) and see what unfolds. Sometimes not much happens. My energy and input would have been the catalyst for a specific set of steps. However, I am learning to let that be the way it is. My way may be too involved or too intense for the group as a whole. I’m learning to let the group energy do or not do something. It’s not easy. But it does honor the energy of the whole. To become more aware of these changed circumstances I could journal these small victories so I notice the subtle changes. Another major step I can take is to look for a method to help learn to back off and let things unfold. What will be the trigger, the reminder, the method by which I stop my participation and simply wait for what shows up
Examine your willingness
Do you really want to change? How willing are you to stick with your chosen method to reach your goal? Find out what’s holding you back and work to release that. My mind is very quick. It has an answer nearly before I formulate the question. That’s fun for me, but not for those around me. It also supports me in being in my mind more than responding to the rhythm of my soul and the environment I find myself in. I very much want to learn to enjoy slowing down to allow time for life to unfold. I do want to be more mindful and still. I am willing to change.
Tweak it
Add or subtract a step. I’m going to take a breath before I speak. I’m going to listen to what a person does not say instead of just what she does. Taking a breath before I speak will be the trigged for my meaningful pause to give more time for circumstances to unfold.
Change the direction slightly. I have a strong spiritual practice but I have shifted the format a bit to include a new meditation practice after I feel my cats and before I do my Qi Gong. I’m not concerned about the length or depth. I am focused on creating the habit of sitting in mediation each morning at a regular sequence in my spiritual practice.
Alter your goal. Once I am in the habit of sitting in that particular sequence of my morning, I will work on the quality of my meditation. My mind is very active in the morning. I have a pen and paper near by in case I feel the need to capture an idea. However, my objective is to deepen the quality of my mediation. The goal after that will be to lengthen the time. Make your goals small and achievable. I will use this deepened habit of meditation to wait more patiently and serenely for life to unfold.
Acknowledge the movement
Find a way to cheer yourself on. Every morning as I start work at my computer I ask myself a series of questions. Two of them are “how do I feel” and “what would I like the day to bring.” I have begun noticing and recording how much calmer and more centered I feel and how my body is gradually changing for the better. If I have a plan for the day, I’ll notice it, acknowledge that it exists, and then tune in to whatever unfolding order my mind and body tell me I need to follow. Whatever system you set up, record your progress. Celebrate your achievements.
Re-choose every day
I wake every day and know that my major choice is to allow my life to unfold. As ideas burgeon, as plans organically take shape, I look within to the core of my being to make certain I am allowing, not pushing circumstances. I may have to make that conscious choice several times throughout the day in order to remind myself of the change I want to make. Whatever change you have chosen to cultivate, consciously rechooe it every day.
How will you make room for change today? And what change will it be?
