The Habit of Change

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” —Maria Robinson

Recently, I read three articles in the span of six hours that spurred some thinking in my life.

The articles are highly encouraging. Each offers an inspirational message that challenged me to grow. And read together, in succession, the articles offer an important message that change is possible in each of our lives. I hope you are equally encouraged and motivated.

A Taste You Hate? Just Wait | New York Times. An article about food from a restaurant critic. I greatly appreciate the author’s approach to food which is basically this, “Just because you did not like a particular food in the past does not mean you won’t like it today.” He lists numerous examples from his life (broccoli, oysters) and his friends’ lives (sushi, fennel). He challenges us to try again some of the foods we have given up and reminds us that we miss out on wonderful food pleasures when we don’t. As a parent of two young children, I see this all too often around our dinner table.

As an individual, on a larger scale, I have seen this reaction to changes that could emerge in my life as well. Too often, I discard the opportunity for new habits or disciplines to emerge in my life simply because I tried before and don’t think they can ever be accomplished.

9 Easy-To-Steal Habits Of The Super Successful | Fast Company. I have long since given up any need/desire to be rich (life is way better when you don’t care anymore), but I still desire to be successful in meaningful pursuits. For that reason, this article caught my eye. The personal habits mentioned are motivating to me and could be used to create any life you desire. Some of the habits are new (keep promises, learn to tell stories) and some are habits I continue to develop (wake early, ask questions, be honest with yourself). You can click through yourself to read them all.

I want to be as effective as possible during my life. I want to accomplish all that I can with the talents and time I have been given. And developing healthy habits is one important step to get there.

36 Lessons I’ve Learned About Habits | Zen Habits. When it comes to developing and incorporating habits, there is nobody I trust more than Leo Babauta. When he writes, I read. This recent post wonderfully articulates both the how and the why of habit creation. Coincidentally, I discovered it just minutes after reading the article above. Needless to say, I read with great interest.

I was reminded there is a process to habit creation: believe it is possible, make small changes first, understand your motivation, overcome setbacks. There is a process—and it is repeatable.

Our habits shape the lives we live. Because they do, it is important to consider them carefully, give intentionality to those that we choose, and pursue healthy ones.

All three articles read together remind me that our lives are not complete—that as long as we have breath we have opportunity to change and bring about change.

Just because we tried a habit in the past doesn’t mean we can’t try it again. Our stage in life may have changed. Our motivation may have changed. Our experience has grown. Maybe, all we need to do is try again. Whether we are desiring to read more, wake-up earlier, or quit smoking, try again with optimism.

Choose carefully which habits you will invest into developing. Our lives are important and our habits are important. The change for good that our lives offer is significant.