Going back to the office? Download my E-book. Rethinking My Remote Return, on Amazon for a great guide!
Meeting New You
The required script of fairy tales in the past used to feature meeting someone new who would change the world. Goldilocks had three bears, Cinderella had a Prince Charming and even Jack had Jill to fall down the hill together. Having allies has always been a critical part of staying safe in the cruel dark world. Our ancestors probably wept for joy when they first met up with someone who was willing to share a campfire. But we don’t think of ourselves as new. Too often, we focus on the fact that we have been around the block a few times. That means that the only humans who saw us as new were those in our original family. They were very careful with us until we started to show an interest in walking and talking. Our newness wore off. Independence does not make the co-dependent happy. It’s a little like an executive deciding that it is best for employees to return to in-person work so that they can visibly see work being done and feel more in control. Most executives won’t be trying to find their desks this round either. Humans crave control.
Create New You
If you want to find someone to change your life, just look in the mirror. We carry around every possible scenario we could possibly desire. Change is at our own fingertips, but no one told us about this special power, so it goes unused. Often, we wait for an outside event to occur to stimulate a change. This type of change seems forced on us and may have been created by some negative circumstances. We can glide pretty easily through most days with our routines and schedules until life presents a test. The good news is that past performance navigating through a challenge provides a belief in the ability to repeat it. Most of the time during a crisis it is difficult to see what is really going on because the emphasis is placed on just holding on. Change becomes a byproduct of the tragedy. The new you might not be the best rendition because it was formed during the struggle. But the fact is that once change starts, it opens up many new doors. To counteract decisions that may negatively affect our freedom, it helps to be more active in that decision making. Change can increase control.
Meet Old Me
It is eye-opening to see how people introduce themselves. When the introduction statement starts with the length of time of any part of a life segment, that is where the presenter is actually stuck in the highlight reel. The further back in time the description goes, the more the person feels that the most important part of their experience is in the past. Presupposing that what you are currently doing in life is not the highlight seems sad. We are meant to increase joy and satisfaction as we carve out a path in our journey. The old me was great but was improved over time. It’s like seeing someone dress in twenty-year old clothes. That’s where the comfort stopped. Decluttering is easier if you use that basis for purging. There is an attachment to the way things have always been, but it can be an obstacle to improvement.
Change Me
Once the practice of change becomes accessible, it gets more use. The ease with which you can make a decision to think a new thought makes it feel like a trick. You can literally change your own mind over and over. That is thought freedom. It may startle those who like being stuck and feel secure with predictability. But when you really think about it, there is little desire to go backwards and give up the benefits of the current day. Humans are better at moving forward. Think about your ability to back up a car, run backwards or try and remember exactly what you had for lunch yesterday. We naturally look to the future with anticipation. So, if that reflection in the mirror needs a little update, pick anywhere to start and keep on going. You will not be the same person at the end of your life as you were at the beginning. That is good news.
Can you find one time every day to change your mind? Are you afraid of those around you moving on without you? Can you think of the future you as stunning?
