Change.

Creature of habit.  That’s how I would describe myself and my routines.  I always find what works, and I do the same thing in the same way for as long as it works.  Problem with that is change is a constant in life and I should become better at embracing it so that I can continue to excel and learn something new.  Sounds good?  Yea I didn’t think so either! It’s not so much that I don’t like change or the transition, I don’t like the dummy period; that time when a change has taken over and you don’t know jack about what’s happening, how to deal with it or live with it.  

Once I conquer that period I’m sure I can become a great agent of change.

With all that being said (whew) I had to change my hair care/upkeep regimen.  I fell prey to the myth that shampoo and conditioner that I’ve used for years were fighting against my hair and my hair in retaliation, developed a tolerance to it, and that was the cause of all my hair problems. Not true, what is true, is my regimen had to change for my hair care products based on other things, like my excess exposure to elements, my scalp conditioning and dehydration, and some needed dietary changes.  So, I had to enter the dummy period, which made me nervous about …. Dun-Dun-DUUUUN!!!! change.

You all wouldn’t believe how long I’ve been researching; reading review articles, product labels, and watching videos on hair products, causes of ailments, foods!  (if you knew me, you wouldn’t be surprised at all).  But hey, now because I have studied and looked closer at me and my situation, I’m armed with my info and I’ve made an informed decision/investment and change didn’t hurt at all.  

“A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are, embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.” -Nikki Giovanni

I say whatever it takes to get you to a higher level, do it. Do it afraid.  Just do it. 

I changed those hair care products by the way, and because I did, more and more changes came up for me and I went along with what is to become my new regimen.    You ever had those times in life?  Drop me a line or two in the comments below, and let's all become bosses in the process of starting something new.

What’s your driving force for 2018?

Happy New Year! I hope it found you doing well, and like me, amped about becoming better.  Every year around this time I get uber excited about climbing to another year viewing different horizons; sometimes I get there, sometimes I get close, and sometimes I miss the mark completely.  Change can be hard, especially when we jump in with both feet, and the momentum dries up quicker that acetone nail polish remover when the air hits it. I understand; this is one of the worst feeling ever.   I’ve compiled a personal list of items that I deem detrimental to my success in 2018.  Sometime this year, maybe six months from now, I’ll share my list and we’ll see how I’m doing making the mark on eliminating them for my life.  I intend to go hard this year to tear down systems in my mind that have hindered me in the past, therefore creating a lifestyle change, and one I can definitely notice.

The thing is we can’t give up.  Nope we can’t.  We have to realize just like it took time to get where we are, it’ll take time to build momentum and its hard work to keep it going.  But again it’s doable.  Be realistic and start with small obtainable goals at first.  Challenge yourself but don’t overdo it.  Once you begin to set small realistic obtainable goals, and you accomplish what you’ve set out to do, you start experiencing success, and that helps build confidence and momentum.  Change one behavior at a time, don’t overwhelm yourself.

Aim for lifestyle changes instead of resolutions.  I hate those. New Year resolutions are almost always guaranteed to fail.  According to Medical Daily  it’s been estimated that only eight percent (8%!) of people who make a New Years’ Resolution actually succeed.  The article reads:[1]  “The annual tradition of breaking a New Year’s resolution is observed perhaps just as strictly, if regretfully, as that of making one. Research into motivation, for instance, knows that for a task to be accomplished, the actor must genuinely want to complete it — wanting it to be completed isn’t enough.”  Hmm, sounds like me after my 1st week of exercise. 

A lifestyle change on the other hand is a process.  It comes from strong motivation, getting inspired, getting, being, and staying prepared, and getting excited to get there.  You have to make it a process, and you have to do it daily.  You have to work towards what you’re wanting to change.  If you’re making small strides toward change; you’d be surprised how quickly they can add up to major lifestyle changes.  For example, if you want to become vegetarian, eat 3 vegetarian meals for one week, see how that goes.  If you’re still motivated, add a day every week for the next 4 weeks.  Then look back at your success; that’s four weeks, all 7 days totaling 28 days, you’ve eaten vegetarian.  It takes only 21 days to form a new habit!

Read, study and look for free resources to help you achieve your goals and to maintain them.  The internet is a beast, but it also is a wonderful cyber world where you can find information on anything.  Use it, wisely.  Stay prepared.  Unpreparedness is like being a soldier in war and having no equipment or weapons to fight the battle.  Whether it’s through prayer, research, meditation, using a planner, or  whatever you fancy, just get prepared and stay prepared.

Lastly, have fun with yourself, wherever you are in your walk.  Just have fun and enjoy yourself.

[1] http://www.medicaldaily.com/weight-loss-your-new-years-resolution-why-your-age-may-have-final-say-266269

Transformation

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  ― Steve Jobs

 I have this quote from the American Inventor Steven Paul Jobs on my desk.  Today I saw it; it's been there for five years, in the same spot, but today I saw it.  I read it, and it finally hit home.  I've wasted much of my time in 2016, I dare not repeat this same damaging mentality in 2017.  Even though other's opinions matter little to me, they've still had an impact on my thinking.  

When my children were babes, and trying to navigate the world according to their little version of it, I would say to them "watch your surroundings."  I find myself telling my grandchildren now to "watch your surroundings."  Shame on me that I've somehow given this advice to them for all these years, and I haven't taken it myself.  Enough is enough; I'm now watching my surroundings, which sadly includes watching who I allow to grace me with their presence.  I'm closing the doors now of others perceptions, reactions, intentions, etc. 

I'm responsible to myself for myself now.  Adrienne Rich once said “responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work.”   By nature, I have an introverted temperament.  I want alone time, I need alone time. When I say "we're done here, we're done here. And I can do this all day every day. Now that I'm older, I have come into who I am, and Whose I am, I love me for me and I don't apologize for it.  I have no tolerance for BS. None. 

Remember the advertising slogan "Think Different"?  Well it has become plainly clear to me, that it's time I start to do so.  Think differently so I can transform my life.