BALANCE
Simple Rules to Help Your Habits
“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.” ―Aristotle
I am feeling particularly thankful right now. For the past few weeks, I have met people who are intentional about the lifestyle they have adopted. This is great considering I do not always dot my Is and cross my Ts. Today I get it right and tomorrow I fall somewhat short.
I have noticed that one’s environment impacts one’s habits and behaviors. Your crowd often affects your actions and you influence them too. Sometimes what one needs is an openness to adjust and decisions and actions that follow.
Throughout my life, I have met people who emphasize why quality matters. There are intentional acts like social distancing and using masks. There are other concerns like what foods to eat that are healthy? What do we drink? What are we buying and why? Where do we invest our time? Should I keep smoking or drinking alcohol? Can I save more? Am I dealing with a want or need? Can I afford toxicity? How does my action impact me and the next person?
People have Eureka moments. There are those who get inspired by humility and start living more intently. There are others that get motivated by their personal situations. Finally, there are those with health challenges or who find themselves in tough spots.
It’s inspiring to see those who possess the serenity of accepting things that cannot be changed. They have the courage to change what they can and they know the difference between both. We are not all there yet.
The icing on the cake is when you meet people who share your goals and aspirations. They have a lifestyle committed to these goals. They induce you to be better. They reinforce habits you have been struggling to adopt.
I meet people who have chosen these paths and state their reasons. They have been able to look themselves in the mirror. Some of them get help from psychoeducation. Some are induced within and others without. As I listen, it reinforces my decision to choose better behavior.
People give you reasons:
For quitting smoking
For cutting out excesses
For exercising
For becoming more generous
For engaging less in risky behavior
For cutting out toxicities
And the list goes on…
Some people get older and wiser. Others are called to higher responsibilities. Some can no longer afford to accommodate garbage. There are those that suffer huge losses. Finally, there are those besieged by health challenges.
Final Thoughts:
Some habits are hard to conquer especially on a solo basis. Some demons are hard to fight. There are those with substance use disorders that get offered peer support groups. This is as important as psychoeducation.
To build a good habit or conquer some of our flaws, we need the right support. Sometimes, we intentionally seek these supports out. Other times, they gravitate towards us.
We ask relevant and sincere questions borne out of a willingness and openness to change. When people speak to us about how they deal with their messes, we can borrow a leaf or two.