Often, when we experience a health challenge, we need to make some changes if we want to address the issue at its root and not just manage the symptom. Sometimes those changes seems really hard. So, what is the nature of change and how can we make changes in the most effective way?
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In the past, when I wanted to create a change, I see what was involved was for me to have a strong commitment and a strong intention. When we want to make change, that usually means we're looking to change old habit patterns, and, like the saying goes, it can be hard to teach an old dog new tricks. 😂
And why is that so? It's because the old trick, the old habit, is the path of least resistance. We've done the same thing over and over and that has become the natural thing for us to do. That's were commitment and intention come in.
We need to be committed and willing to experience the feelings that come up when we go against the old habits. Those feelings are what we often call a craving or even an addiction. Those can be strong, so commitment and intention are good to have on our side.
But let's step back and look at the nature of change in life itself. It's actually the nature of life to constantly change. In fact, if we look at it, does life ever stay the same? Every 15 days we have a new skin. And every 6 months a new liver. The seasons are always changing. Life is in a constant state of change and renewal.
So, why does it seem so hard at times for us to change? It's in the nature of our minds to create patterns and habits of doing things in order to be efficient. And the mind doesn't care if it's a good habit or a bad habit. It's running on automatic. Because of this automatic nature, change goes against the well established behaviour, and our minds resist that. In this way, we're standing in our way.
In nature, there's an intelligence, an animating force that's bringing about change all the time. And that nature is in us as well.
The way our bodies work is that when we have a condition, the symptoms are a sign that there's something out of balance. It's a sign that there's a resistance in our life to this natural flow of harmony and balance. So, symptoms are a good thing in that they're a wake up call that something is out of balance.
If we have a health condition, there's probably something that we're doing, some habit, that isn't supporting the natural flow that maintains the balance and harmony and the perfect health that life is, the wholeness that life is.
So, the trick in making change and coming back into alignment with a healthy lifestyle isn't so much about making it happen with will power and self-discipline, as getting out of our way.
Our nature is to stay aligned with balance, harmony and good health. When a condition develops, it's an invitation to look at our lives and come back into balance. If it feels hard to allow ourselves to follow that natural flow of nature, then it's our thinking / our habits, that are the point of resistance.
And this is what our coaching is about: helping people see how their thinking stands in the way of the change they desire to bring their lives back into balance, harmony and well being.
If you'd like a free session, just leave us a note in the comments section below.
Change is natural to all of us. We are always in a state of change as we grow and evolve. If we've developed a habit that isn't aligned with that natural change, we'll know it by how we feel. Not feeling well, both physically and mentally, is simply a sign of this imbalance, of not aligning with the natural flow of life.
By seeing that nature is always nudging us to grow into greater health and well being, we can approach change with commitment and intention from a place of letting go of our resistance to changing old habits rather than going to battle with them. It's so much easier and effective this way.
The recipe this week is Sweet Black Lentils and Beans. It's a wonderful combination of lentils and beans with a rich undertone of roasted tomatoes, corn and raisins. Give it a try, we think you'll like it.
To your Amazing Health,
Connie and Bill
Sweet Black Lentils & Beans (Serves 4-6)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups black lentils, washed
- 5 cups vegetable stock
- 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 1 - 28oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1½ cups raisins
- 1 tablespoon no salt seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy or red pepper flakes
In Instant pot add onions, garlic, black lentils and vegetable stock and cook for 8 minutes on high pressure and let pressure release naturally.
Add the remaining ingredients and pressure cook another 2 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. Serve.