Ask someone to define the word habit and they will likely give
a negative definition. There is plenty of evidence that a habit can be bad; the
habit of smoking, overeating, drinking, watching television and on and on.
On the flip side, there are beneficial habits. The
habit of exercising, eating healthy, meditating, saving money, or anything else
that is part of living a life with passion.
We were not born with our current habits. We
conditioned ourselves to consistently do what are now bad habits and good
habits.
Often when a person wants to change a bad habit they
think in terms of elimination. Get rid of it and be gone with it. This usually
backfires.
You do have choice
A better choice is to replace on habit with another.
Replace smoking with walking or deep breathing. Replace over watching of
television with journaling. Develop replacing
foods that are bad for your health with those that are great for your health.
It’s really about choice. As an ex smoker of over 25 years, I know how difficult the process can be. I chose to make the change over 15 years ago when continuing on with the habit was more painful than making the change.
This is where the distinction of our habits resides.
When something is more painful to continue than change or there is more
pleasure in the change than continuing on with our current habits, we make the
change. Simple as that.
It takes what it takes
For some the change comes when we are told there is an
impending health crisis we are dealing with. For others, the thought of
changing a life threatening habit is more painful than continuing the habit.
What it all boils down to is…”What is the quality of
life you want?”
What are you committed to in order to achieve the dreams
you have? What habits are currently holding you back from this and what habits
do you need to form in order to move closer to your dreams and the quality of
life you say you want.
The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
Kathleen, I like your perspective on habits... good/bad, serving/hurting. I think we hang onto bad habits because to change takes work. You're right - most of us don't change until it's too painful not to.
The key is to (as you said) replace the bad habit with a good one.
We do have choice!
Posted by: MIki | April 03, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Dear Kathleen,
Did I ever tell you that I always look forward to reading your posts? I simply love the wisdom you share with us, and I feel very lucky to have you in my virtual life!
In my point of view, today's post all refers to the practice of extreme self-care in our lives - a concept that both Cheryl Richardson and late Thomas J. Leonard share in their writings.
Old habits die hard, that's what they say! But this is surely not an reason for us not to try to replace a bad habit by a good one!
Warmly,
Chantal
Posted by: Chantal Beaupre | April 03, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Good post Kathleen. It is all about choices. Thanks!
gaj
Posted by: Greg Johnson | April 03, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Thanks for reading my blog Gaj.
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen Gage | April 03, 2009 at 11:26 PM