It's Not Working

If people hear me say anything over and over again it’s “do something different”. Why? Because when we want something different but keep doing the same thing we’re use to doing, producing the same outcome, isn’t it obvious that we need to do something different? Mm, probably not so obvious. It’s hard to admit we are the cause of our own unhappiness or lack of success but much easier to blame someone or something else. The problem is we are the common denominator in a trail of broken relationships, health issues, financial woes and the like. Might as well face it, own it and confess “ok, I’m the problem here”.

Mistakes are normal, we’re human, and they come with the territory. It’s when we make the same mistakes over and over and over that gives us grief. To change we must be honest and insightful about who we are, what we are choosing to do and why. Yep, we choose it so that means we can choose something else, opening ourselves up to learning new skills, equipped with new tools and able to choose from new options.

I hate to see people give up on good and happiness in their lives as if it’s not for them. They settle into some existence of “this is the best I’ll ever have”. Often they’ve missed the possibility of happiness eluding them because they’ve maintained the same philosophies and behaviors that create dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Then they complain about how awful life is.

There are some things that I don’t get to cry about (sounds pretty harsh huh?). Mainly when I know I’m back into an old habit of behaving and choosing. Sure, it hurts when I get the old unwanted outcomes but I save my tears and complaints because I already knew what I was doing. On the other hand, I freely shed tears, grunt and sigh as I change. Change is hard and often very uncomfortable. But those tears are worth it!!

I can’t tell anyone exactly what needs to change, it’s a self work. But here’s a simple, to the point thought to help get you thinking:

“…believe in what works. What you are doing now is not working. Why not try something else?” – Dr Gordon Livingston