Habits Have Power

I’m trying to create a few new habits. At my age (no, not telling you) it is no easy task. Benjamin Franklin was spot on when he said, “It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”

Have you considered changing a habit? You probably know what it is you need to do to be an empowered woman. What do you think causes you to stay stuck? There is a book entitled, Getting Unstuck, Moving Beyond What’s Holding You Back by Lilliet Garrison. I haven’t read it but I like the concept. The descriptor says, “If you’re not living the life you’ve always dreamed of, perhaps it’s because you’ve picked up negative thinking and behaviors (I call them habits) that are keeping you from enjoying your life.” In fact there are numerous books with “unstuck” in the title. You might want to check them out.

It seems to me that getting unstuck from bad habits begins with thoughts. As I have said many times before our thoughts direct our lives. Gandhi said it best,

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”

Let’s begin with your thoughts. I believe you can ask to be made fully aware of the thoughts that are not good for you. Ask that your spirit be pricked when an unhealthy thoughts comes. You may be amazed what happens.

When I became fully aware of my thoughts I realized I had a problem. This happened many years ago and yet it’s taken all this time for me to take charge of my own thoughts and the habits they’ve created-or I should say that I’ve allowed them to create.

Chronic illness can take charge and change all your plans. That is what has occurred in my life. I had to quit a job prematurely. Determined to be productive I made the situation more complicated by pushing myself instead of listening to that inner voice. There were lots of signs telling me to slow down, take it easy and I didn’t listen. I have the protestant work ethic big time and I’m a Texan to boot. (‘To boot’ is a Texas phrase, well really it’s Old English.) I’m learning as I read Letting Go, The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins that I don’t have to do it all. I’ve long thought that surrender or relinquishment held a key to inner peace and empowerment. I have a canvas on the wall in my office with these words: “let it BE.”

How can you do this? In small bites. Begin with a thought that you know you can’t control anyway. Perhaps you are troubled, as many are, about the outcome of the presidential election. Let it go. You have one vote. You vote and then that’s it. I made a conscious decision to stop being concerned over it. Let it BE. I doubt that my life will change significantly whoever is elected. Let it BE. Change the channel-that’s a new habit. Go on with your life. Enjoy the autumn weather. Change at least one thought pattern-one habit.

You may have heard or read, “As a person thinks so is she.”
Proverbs 23:7

Gail holds a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. She was an educator in regular and special education for twenty years, finishing her professional career as a Braille teacher. She is a Certified Professional Coach with Fowler International Academy. She married Sam after raising three children as a single mother.

In 2007 She founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, & Empowered. Her stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. Her book, Living Learning Loving, published in July 2015, is available for purchase on CreateSpace, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble online.