Tuesday, December 27, 2011

New Year. New Changes.

This week, many of us will be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions, or personal changes that we would like to make in our lives.  In fact, it is estimated that nearly 50 percent of Americans will resolve to make at least one important change in their lives, but a mere eight percent will be successful in keeping such resolutions. 

As I consider that statistic, I must admit that I am not surprised to hear that most of us do not stick to the resolutions that we make at the beginning of each year.  So many of us value change and progression, yet we struggle to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves.  Why is that?  Why is it so hard to make personal changes, particularly when they are important, meaningful, and beneficial?  What is so hard about doing what is best for us and achieving what we really want? 

In truth, I think that the answers to questions such as these are quite complex, yet simplistic at the very same time.  Change is hard.  It takes commitment, perseverance, and even courage.  Taking matters of life into our own hands involves responsibility, accountability, and the overcoming of obstacles that we would rather not face.  Additionally, as we make lasting changes in our lives, we may be put in a position that requires the help of others.  We may encounter uncertainty.  And we may have to rely on new processes such as insight, self-awareness, and discovery rather than older processes that we were once so comfortable with.       

Simply said, change can be hard.  Change can be scary.  Change can be confusing.  And sometimes, change is none of these things and it is unexpected or unintentional.  It might even be exciting, or simply the result of something natural or evolutionary.  Regardless of what change feels like, though, it is quite often necessary.  It is necessary in life because change leads to progression.  To growth.  To the betterment of one’s self and one’s life. 

As most of us well know, the journey of life does not happen in our comfort zone.  There are times in our lives that we must venture out to unknown territory and test our limits.  There are times in our lives that we must be a bit uncomfortable.  That we must do something a bit differently and make a change that is important, meaningful, and for the better in the long run.  This is important, no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable, for it is during these times that we learn what we are made of, discovering who we really are, what we really want in life, and what incredible feats we are really capable of. 

So if you are anything like those of us that are considering New Year’s Resolutions this week, I encourage you to make the most of it.  Venture out of your comfort zone and into new territory.  Challenge yourself, and attempt to do something differently.  And remember that most of the beautiful rewards in life would never had been achieved had a change not been made. 
-El



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