CHANGE TAKES TIME
On my life journey, I have listened to wise and experienced people – mentors, teachers, friends, and clients (That's right; therapists who listen learn a lot from their clients). Over time, I have learned central principles from various people that appear to be time tested. One such principle is the notion that “Change takes time.”
It is already April. Do you remember your first images of 2012 when you walked into stores. I’ll never forget entering a Sam’s Club a few days after Christmas and seeing the first aisles lined up with Health products. Holiday season sales were instantly transformed into marketing towards anything related to New Year’s Resolutions.
After three months, how many of our resolutions have remained?
How about ending certain behaviors?
Cigarette smoking, chronic TV watching, sedentary lifestyles, junk food eating, soda drinking, marijuana smoking, pornography, alcohol consumption, anger problems….
How about relationship resolutions?
Making a commitment, stopping nagging behaviors, engaging thoughtfully rather than avoiding conflict, not giving up on dating……
How about new life-altering decisions?
Training for a marathon, working on yoga and the splits, skydiving, volunteer work at a shelter, raising money for the Red Cross…
How about changing unhealthy habits of thinking?
Ending Chronic worry for people struggling with anxiety. I recently talked with a chronic worrier; if it wasn’t money, the future, or work, it was children, the past, or relationships. Learning to worry less takes time.
Or - changing self-defeating beliefs. I recently saw a woman having difficulty coping with physical limitations; after years of work, physical problems limit her. She has feelings of worthlessness and calls herself “a piece of garbage.” Learning to see herself with worth, dignity, and worthy to be loved takes time.
Change takes time. Why change? More life, more healing, more joy, more love....
On my life journey, I have listened to wise and experienced people – mentors, teachers, friends, and clients (That's right; therapists who listen learn a lot from their clients). Over time, I have learned central principles from various people that appear to be time tested. One such principle is the notion that “Change takes time.”
It is already April. Do you remember your first images of 2012 when you walked into stores. I’ll never forget entering a Sam’s Club a few days after Christmas and seeing the first aisles lined up with Health products. Holiday season sales were instantly transformed into marketing towards anything related to New Year’s Resolutions.
After three months, how many of our resolutions have remained?
How about ending certain behaviors?
Cigarette smoking, chronic TV watching, sedentary lifestyles, junk food eating, soda drinking, marijuana smoking, pornography, alcohol consumption, anger problems….
How about relationship resolutions?
Making a commitment, stopping nagging behaviors, engaging thoughtfully rather than avoiding conflict, not giving up on dating……
How about new life-altering decisions?
Training for a marathon, working on yoga and the splits, skydiving, volunteer work at a shelter, raising money for the Red Cross…
How about changing unhealthy habits of thinking?
Ending Chronic worry for people struggling with anxiety. I recently talked with a chronic worrier; if it wasn’t money, the future, or work, it was children, the past, or relationships. Learning to worry less takes time.
Or - changing self-defeating beliefs. I recently saw a woman having difficulty coping with physical limitations; after years of work, physical problems limit her. She has feelings of worthlessness and calls herself “a piece of garbage.” Learning to see herself with worth, dignity, and worthy to be loved takes time.
Change takes time. Why change? More life, more healing, more joy, more love....
