Principles for a good life

Personal development

There is something comforting about our habits. Something relaxing, predictable, certain, efficient, comfortable, requires little energy. It keeps us in a safe zone while facing the changes around us. These habits were created for a reason. Patterns that repeat themselves are being recognized by our brain, because they were successful, at least a few times. These paths were imprinted in our neural network. Itc an be an aware habit, such as hanging the keys in the same place so we don't look for them too long when we're pressed for time. It can be a subconscious habit, like our net of beliefs that were imprinted in us at a young age. Habits are there so our body is as efficient as possible.

But here also lies the danger. Habits put us on automat mode. This mode does not require energy, or thought, or sometimes even awareness. And what if the habit was a good solution, but now is not serving me well anymore? What if a certain belief served me in the past, but today limits me? How do you change such perceptions that they will last? There is a separate Chapter  about the difficulty of change.

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This chapter is also related to this, but from a different perspective, more personal and perhaps deeper. How do we actually help ourselves develop as people? 

First of all it is clear to us that in order to change something we will have to invest energy, or maybe work. Change does not happen by itself. The question is how much work will we agree to invest, is this work real and profound, and we're honest with ourselves. 

One of the best methods I found for creating an internal change in thought, belief or habits that are not good for us is The Work by Byron Katie. This method helps us free ourselves from limiting thought through a relatively simple internal investigation. Beliefs that no longer serve us and automatic responses that are no longer comfortable for us are released. The presentation on the side of this page summarizes the method's main points, but I recommend reading the book, and of course practicing as much as possible. The beauty about the method is that you can practice by yourself. 

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So let's get to work...