I look out my window at daybreak as the sunrise creates tiny sparkles on sheets of frozen snow. Two mornings later, the snow and sparkles are gone. Even the warmer weather will not last long. Within a few months, many people will realize that the sparkling changes they've worked for, and perhaps achieved, were short lived. Maintaining personal change requires inner conditioning to clean out old beliefs and assumptions. It requires strong reasons, focus, self-discipline, and commitment. It also requires enough faith to be flexible for continued growth. People begin with the best of intentions to change. However, it is easier to settle back into familiar habits. The changes do not feel comfortable enough to last. Often, desired results are not clear enough in mind to warrant long months or years of persistence. Motives and Reasons for Change Positive personal change requires strong reasons and compelling ways to do the work. Sometimes the person is inspired by the need to live differently. He or she says, "I've chosen this long enough," or "I'm not tolerating this any longer." Instantly, they change,and their lives soon begin to mirror that internal change. A Steady Focus on Passions Change and growth require a sharp and steady focus. They require looking through a powerful and steady mental lens to see clearly the person's passions, strengths, and gifts. As children of a perfect Creator, we have the potential to stay focused, shining with our own unique light. Self-discipline and Commitment Maintaining change requires self-discipline and commitment. We fall down and get back up. It is difficult to practice or train for a new skill on days that we don't feel like it. We need to rest and balance as needed but stick with the necessary actions. Flexibility and Readjustment Change also requires flexibility. Readjustment is part of the natural process of growth. In knowing this, we must consider that changes, at least in this world, are not actually permanent. Everything we know and experience here is subject to the "law of impermanence of all things". Faith in Purpose We will also need the faith in our purposes to re-adjust to grow through trial and error. This is where adversities become universities. We can study and observe the process over time; what appears as change is another lesson, a path to spiritual growth. Consider these timeless thoughts: "It is not the years but the changes that make us grow."~ Neal Maxwell "Earth changes, but thy soul and God stand sure." ~ Robert Browning (1812-1889) We will experience many changes throughout the seasons of life. However, we can view changes as did Robert Browning and Neal Maxwell. Changes are sparkles that shine from the heart to make us grow spiritually strong. Beginning today, we can introduce new sparkles - lights of faith and soul that continue to illuminate the path ahead. |
