I have found myself lately saying, “I really want to change these things about myself” and hoping that someday magically they will change. I’ve even been praying for the desire to change. This week I was reminded that I must first change my attitude and then everything will more easily fall into place.
I realized that every time I said something like, “I really want to work out more” I would roll my eyes right after I said it as I pictured myself trying to add working out into my daily routine. The reality of the situation is, I just don’t feel like it! I feel like it’s going to be a nuisance to have to work out on a regular basis. I’m already anticipating how sore my body will be and I’m really dreading having to commit to something that gets me all sweaty, sore, and uncomfortable. I happen to like staying in my comfort zone, for nothing other than COMFORT!
So when I start to pay attention to my thoughts and feelings about anything I struggle with, I begin to see the truth behind it. I’ve realized that my attitude towards working out is resistance. What I’ve learned about resistance is that most people resist their own good. Anything that takes you out of your comfort zone is for the purpose of stretching you to new heights so that you can ultimately become a better person. If I could magically be better by staying in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have the desire to experience the results working out will give me – a healthier, more active, energized and in shape body.
Let’s get back to the point: I don’t want to work out. So how do I make myself want to do it? I must first change my attitude about it. If I continue to look at working out as an annoying, unenjoyable experience, that is what it will always be, and I will continue to resist that. Who wants to put themselves in a situation they know they will not like? But if I concentrate on the fact that working out will produce the fit and fabulous body that I DO want, I can begin to change my attitude about it. This is the part where I have to basically trick myself into doing what’s best for me. Working out can be enjoyable when I find activities that I truly enjoy to take part in on a regular basis. I can even make my cardio workouts fun by focusing on my “love me” moments of the day. I’ve decided that I need to pay more attention to physically caring for myself. As I do that, I’m simply telling my body, “Thank you for carrying me through life. I want to reward you.”
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
So my new job is to find daily affirmations that I can say to myself to keep me in the RIGHT attitude about working out to ensure that I will stick to it. Permanent change is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. So I’m learning to give myself time to change for the better, because I want the change to last. So over the next few weeks I will be coming up with the proper fuel to keep me going – affirmations and motivation.
For now, I will be starting off with this one:
The presence of God transforms my thoughts so that I think clearly, make right decisions, and act wisely.
When you insert God into absolutely everything, it makes life much easier. It helps to take the pressure off of being perfect when you have the source of everything to lean on in your most challenging situations.
Share your thoughts in the comments: What areas of your life are you rolling your eyes at? Do you find yourself constantly wanting change but complaining that it hasn’t happened? What would happen if you changed your attitude about it all? Everything starts with you. Think about it as you go through the rest of your week. What will help you get over this hump day with a more positive outlook?
Peace, Love & Positive Attitude,
~Alexis~
