Quote On Change

In the book, If Life Is A Game, These Are The Rules*, Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott writes the following:

The real secret to being able to change is the willingness to do so. If you are to make progress at all in excavating yourself from the cycles that entrap you, you must first identify the patterns that keep you stuck. Then you can begin to release the old behaviors.

If you truly want to change, you will choose to do it, and make a commitment to the process of it. However, if you rely on the thought that you should change, you will make the decision to do so and then you will feel the pinch of sacrifice. Following the current trends, the advice of friends, or the wishes of Family members result in decisions; following your inner compass results in choice.

  ...Perhaps you think you need to begin an exercise regime. If you truly want to do this because you want to become healthier or more fit, then you will viscerally make the choice to do so, and you will have a much easier time making a commitment to your new routine. However, if you think you should exercise to look or feel better, you will most likely decide to do so somewhat half-heartedly and thus you are making a sacrifice each time you try to exercise.

Remember:
WANT leads to CHOICE, which leads to COMMITMENT.
SHOULD leads to DECISION, which leads to SACRIFICE.

  ...So the next time you are struggling to make a change in your life, ask yourself, "How willing am I, really, to make this change?" If you are not succeeding, there's a good chance that you may be relying on your belief that you should change, rather than on your intrinsic desire to do so.

*If Life is A Game, These Are The Rules
1998, Broadway Books