3 Keys to Transforming Your Life - Part 2

Ever notice there is always construction going on someplace? Just like the roads around here, we are all a work in progress.  Seems like there is always something to repair, reconstruct, or rebuild. The same goes for us. You'll know when a change is needed when you hit a rough patch - a relationship goes on the rocks, communication gets muddied, you feel down or depressed. The good news is that tough times are actually opportunities for change, growth and renewal and this week I am sharing three tips on the process of transformation.

1. Take time to reflect 

When we go through a tough time, the tendency is to want to move through it quickly, to distract ourselves, to distance from loved ones or to keep ourselves too busy to think. But this is the wrong approach. Tough times happen to teach us something, to grow us up, to refine our character. The question to ask ourselves is "What do I need to learn from this?"

2. Be Mindful

Awareness is the first step to change. When we slow down our busy lives, we are able to be more mindful during our day. You know how when you take a nice leisurely stroll you notice the flowers, the sounds of the birds, the colors of the trees,  provided, of course, you are not talking on the phone. Versus when you go for a run, all you can think about is your legs, your breathing and your feet. You don't really notice your surroundings. Slowing down the pace of life helps us connect more to who and what is around us. 

Life is not a race. We should not be rushing through it. We should be enjoying it and paying attention: to our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions. This is what wholeness and integrity is all about. Making all of these work together in harmony. 

Practicing mindfulness is a skill we all can benefit from. It helps us to pay more attention to ourselves by shining the laser beam of attention on our thoughts. 

When we shine the light on ourselves rather than focusing on what the other person said or did, we are able to see things more clearly. It is only then we are able to make positive changes.  For more on mindfulness and meditation, check out my posts on this important topic. 

Let's look at over-eating for example or eating when we are not really hungry. I know I still struggle with these myself. Ask yourself these questions before you get up to eat something. 

- Am I really hungry?

- When did I eat last?

- What am I feeling?

- What am I thinking about? 

Often we go on auto-pilot and eat not out of true hunger but something else usually something emotionally stressful and we are trying to self-soothe ourselves with food. 

3. Take it Slow

Change and transformation take time. Rome wasn't built in a day, right? Be gentle with yourself. Keep at it and keep the faith. Don't try and lean on your own will-power which is so limited. Instead, lean on God. It is by his grace and through his power that we are able to overcome the obstacles in our path to growth and transformation. 2 Corinthians 12:19 says "My grace is sufficient for you". Hang on to that promise and you will be victorious no matter what you are trying to change because God always keeps his promises. 

For Reflection 
What are you struggling with today? What can you do to be more gentle and compassionate with yourself? What is one step you can take to make the change a reality? 

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Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom to help you ignite the power within and discover your destiny. 

Until next time,  keep looking up!

Ariel Paz