What do you think about change? We all have our reactions to change...some things we are ready to let go, others we hold on to dear life. All around us change is occurring without our permission. As the seasons change, so does our lives. How do you handle change from the outside? Even more important how do you initiate change in your life?

I've been dealing with a personal issue for a while now...expecting the other person to change so I can get what I wanted. It definitely took me a long time to figure out that I was responsible for my own feelings and if I wanted to change the relationship, I had to make the change. It was hard to make the decision. Yet after I did I felt different because I had changed.

By listening to myself, recognizing what was working, and not working for me, I felt better about myself. I felt I had more control over my life because I decided to change.

What's the statement: "The signs of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I finally got that. Don't ask how long it took me to make the decision...I made it and that's what counts.

We all have our resistances to change. What is easy for me to change, you may resist and the same for me. I see my resistance to change in many areas of my life. I bet you never heard this one...I want to lose weight. Well, if I really wanted to lose weight, I would. I have to assume that underneath my desire is the need to have this extra weight. Does it sound too simple? It is simple, though uncovering the reason for my resistance, may not be so simple.

I have an investment in staying just where I am at...how silly is that. Yet, understanding the 'whys' doesn't insure that I will change. When I decide, each day, to lower my calories and commit myself to changing my behaviors, that's when I will start losing weight.

I am reading "7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness" by Jim Rohn. I also have his CD set "The Art of Exceptional Living." This man offers clear, simple, and practical advice on how to build what we want in our lives.

One line in his book resonated with me: "Your life will change only when you change." It puts change right into my lap...where it belongs. A normal reaction we have is we have no control what others do, so what can we do?" Curve balls come our way and we have no control over the external events. What we are in charge of is how we react to people, places or things.

When we redirect our focus from outside to inside, we will see different results. Our lives belong to us and we are in charge of the direction it takes.

There are roads in front of us all of the time and we make choices every moment of our day which road we decide...do I eat that cookie or not. It's as simple as that.

What do you want to change today? What are you willing to do to make the change happen? I've decided no cookies for today.

Copyright (c) 2009 Pat Brill

Pat Brill is the author of the blogs http://www.lifesmanylessons.com/