Its obvious that in order to elicit change, one has to make an effort to step out of one’s comfort zone. No-one is denying this. Quite often the measures that one needs to take are so simple, so obvious and ordinary and yet, they become this unattainable quest and seemingly impossible. It is only when one takes that first step that one can look back and realise that it only requires a simple decision. However, just stepping out once doesn’t effect any lasting changes or benefits. The key is to continue along this new route until it becomes commonplace and almost unwittingly, begins to replace the more destructive habits with a new behavioural pattern. I do believe that we all need routines and we all have habits that we adhere to. They are not dangerous or problematic in themselves. It is when these habits or behaviour prevent us from living in the moment, from seeing things and doing things in a constantly fresh way that we become victims and slaves to those habits and in some ways cease to grow and evolve.
Today I broke out of my daily routine. I awoke 2 hours earlier than usual and began the day with an hour of reflection and prayer. Hearing the birdsong as it was getting light could not fail to lift even the lowest of spirits. A small shift away from my daily routines set me up for a day of hope and diversity and this continued with a visit to the V&A to see a couple of exhibitions. Yes, I could have stayed longer and yes, I probably would have got more out of the experience had I not had that compulsion to return home for the lunchtime ritual. I also skipped breakfast which produced in me this bizarre euphoria but this is up for discussion at another time. I refuse to let that negate this small step forward and won’t let it deflect from the positives that I take out of this unexpected change in my day. It continued later in the day with an unscheduled and very special walk/talk with a friend – someone whom I have known as an acquaintance for some years now but who has only recently been someone whom I am starting to get to know better. We have discovered that we share so much and talking to each other is another form of release.
So unless one is prepared to put oneself out there, to expose oneself and make oneself vulnerable at times, there is little chance that change will be elicited solely by oneself. No man is an island – trite, but true. By reaching out, parts of our inner beings are simultaneously being addressed and you know what? It feels good!
