Change, Saying Bye to the Past – Like Paper in Fire

Been musing today on why it’s so difficult in life for so many folks, myself included, to make lasting change.  I think that anyone who can bottle the answer to that will make millions of dollars but the problem with that is the solution can’t be bottled.  In fact, it’s so simple that nearly every one overlooks it.

In order to start something new, to start a new life, one must say goodbye to the past.  Read that again, in fact read it twice.  It’s so simple, yet quite profound.  And the issue is that, while the concept is simple, it most certainly isn’t easy.  We get quite comfortable in our box, making the same mistakes over and over until the neural pathways are burned as deep as a river through a mountain.  Break out of that pattern, establishing new neural pathways is damnably difficult.

This life change is a voluntary process.  You may or may not be responsible for the state that you’re in, but you are most certainly the key to getting yourself out. 

The first step is awareness of the life you want to leave behind.  The second step is realizing that you are empowered to make the changes necessary. 

You can choose to end the relationships that no longer serve you, that hold you back.  You can choose to end the negative thoughts that don’t serve you.  You can choose to end the beliefs that get in the way of your dreams. 

Self help books and seminars are merely tools.  No such tool can specifically make you better on its own.  If you’ve consumed a fair number of books and seminars on the subject, I don’t honestly think you need another.  You have the tools.  Some wonderful tools at that.   I wouldn’t wait for the next shiny tool to come out and take your money.  You, as the master creator of your world, must pick the tools to craft the life that you want to live.

What are you willing to do to get where you want to be?

Paper in Fire

Want an interesting way to say goodbye to the past?  Try this, pick a part of your past that you want to say goodbye to.  Perhaps you’re unhappy with your weight.  Think of some real-life situations in the past where you were made to feel bad about your weight.  Take out a piece of paper and write the situations down on paper trying to be as descriptive as possible, including as many of your five senses in the description. 

Then take the scenario and re-write it with an ending that is more positive and suitable to your tastes. 

Now’s the fun part, pick your favorite way to destroy the pieces of paper.  Shred and recycle them, send them down the river in a beer bottle, set fire to them (SAFETY FIRST!) and watch till they disintegrate in the heat, bury them deeply into the ground.  Whichever ritual you prefer, make note that you’re saying goodbye to the past.  Only then can you engage your new future.

Photo by Komal Soin