Relative Something

One day, a long time ago, my son –I think it was my son– told me I should drive a different route to work that morning, just for the change. I’ve heard similar suggestions, for a variety of purposes over the years, but for some reason, the suggestion that day is one that stuck with me. I don’t know why some basic messages resonate with me for a lifetime like this, or whether the same kind of thing happens for others. My high school football coach said, “If you can touch it, you can catch it.” –referring to either a defensive or offensive pass catching opportunity. I hear it in my mind as clear as the first time he said it. Other memorable messages that come to mind are of a bit more personal nature. Maybe remembering those kinds of messages is easier to understand. But this is really beside the point regarding change.

Try testing yourself with a variety of simple changes. Fold your arms with the opposite arm from your usual, placed on top. How does that feel? Clap your hands with the opposite hand from your normal habit, in the more superior orientation. Clasp your hands with your fingers intertwined as if you are begging or pleading for something, but slide the position one finger away from your regular grip. That is how easy it is to change. Sure it feels weird, uncomfortable even. But how hard was it to do, all things considered?

It is that easy to change many things in our lives. It is somewhat amazing how quickly we are able to adjust to the point of things not feeling so weird with a little repetition, too. And it is impressive how some basic changes of similar scope, can apply to our mental processes, as well. It all starts with recognition. When we pay attention to how we move and position our body, that awareness can lead to choices to do things differently. The same exercise applies to our thought patterns. When we make an effort to become aware of how we think, about situations, ourselves, or other people, then we have done the most important work toward allowing for opportunity to change. But first, we have to recognize our thinking, and that just may be the hardest part. I believe we are all incredible masters of deluding ourselves. And if we are slightly aware of the fact that we are doing this, we tend to become masters of justifying what we are up to.

We don’t have to continue to think about things in the same way we have for years before. I am doing ongoing work to recognize my negative self-talk and my pessimistic slant on potential situation outcomes. It’s powerful stuff. Another thing I have begun to practice a bit more of late is smiling for no apparent reason. I notice when people around me wear a grim look on their face, and that is not how I wish to appear. I have written here before about putting a smile before happiness and then happiness soon follows. I am all for it, and then when I appear less glum, I can look forward to soon feeling more happy. I’ve faced worse challenges.

Choosing to change, and to change for the better, is worthwhile exercise. One that supports my journey to optimal health, mind, body, and soul. It’s a message that deserves to get stuck in our heads, don’t you think?