We all have times in our lives when we deeply desire change. I think the fact that we are always evolving is what makes us human. Sometimes, we desire change simply because our lives feel monotonous, and sometimes it is a larger occurrence that has invoked our need to transform our experience. Regardless of your motivation for change, the following practices hold the potential to significantly enhance your life:
Commit to 2 Daily Non-Negotiable Habits.
Small action steps taken on a daily basis create big strides over the course of time. Many of us use the excuse that we are unable to accomplish specific goals due to not having enough time. If you create a daily routine that includes at least two non-negotiable habits, your life experience will significantly change. I suggest that you choose habits that will move you closer to your goals. For instance, during a time in my own life when I was desperate for change, I committed to a morning routine that included time for writing and exercise. The writing was to move me towards my dream of utilizing my words to help others, and the exercise was to contribute to accomplishing my health goals. The important thing to realize is that you can accomplish anything as long as you make a consistent effort toward it. Think about the process of writing a book, which often takes years to complete. If you give consistent attention to your goals, even if it is only for thirty minutes a day, in one year you will be amazed at what you have accomplished. If you are someone who struggles with knowing what it is that you would like to create, my downloadable guide, Getting to Know You, is available at the end of this post.
Making Health A Lifestyle.
Creating healthy habits that you don’t intend to quit will be one of the most positive things you can do for your life. Not only will you see physical results, but you will also feel mentally healthy. I used to struggle with my weight for many years. I was well-acquainted with the yo-yo dieting process. I was either starving and thin or eating whatever I wanted and gaining weight rapidly. There was a time when I weighed sixty pounds more than I do now. Over the past six years, I have been able to primarily maintain my weight by making a few lifestyle changes. The first lifestyle change I implemented was six days of exercise. I either go to the gym or do a five-mile walk in my neighborhood. I track my calories throughout the week. I allow myself to consume between 1800 and 1900 calories. This has helped me lose about two pounds per week. On the weekends, I am a little bit more lenient with myself. Sometimes I need a break from the rigidity of tracking calories; therefore, I will switch to mindful eating. I also allow myself to enjoy whatever I want when social dinners and gatherings present themselves. Allowing myself to enjoy food periodically without restriction keeps me out of a deprivation mindset. I’ve discovered that whenever I feel like I’m starving, it contributes to my desire to counter that feeling with overeating. If I do decide I want to lose a few pounds, I just skip a few weekends of allowing myself treats. I now look at weight management as something I will be doing for the rest of my life. For the first time in my life, I feel good about my body. I am not a fitness model by any means, but I feel attractive and healthy. When you find this kind of balance, there is freedom. I would recommend experimenting with a healthy diet that you can commit to as a lifestyle and some form of daily movement. If you do this, you will feel so much more peace overall.
Create A Spiritual Routine.
There is nothing that will create more peace in your life than consistent communion with God. Creating a spiritual routine that you commit to on a daily basis will fill you up. I find that I am less stressed throughout my days because I gave my burdens to God at the start of my day. If this is a foreign concept to you, I encourage you to at least try it. My personal spiritual routine consists of listening to one chapter of the Bible on audio, praying, and then thirty minutes of meditation. The other thing I will mention is that once you begin to develop an intimate relationship with God, not only will you feel more peace, but you will also experience more miracles. I believe everyone’s relationship with God is a personal one; therefore, find what works for you.
