Re-Inventing Yourself

Throughout life there comes a time when there is a need to change some aspect of ourselves. Whether it's our physical appearance or what we believe in - sometimes those parts of our lives that no longer serve us need to go. We have to re-invent ourselves and start from scratch. Sometimes we have to peel away the old layers to see the new transformed versions of ourselves. And there are times, too many actually, where we don't want to change even though we know that we must. It's hard to part with our old ways - habits and belief systems that we know we've outgrown but have become so familiar with. We hang on to the past because we feel that if we let it go a part of us has to go too. But that doesn't have to be the case. You can change yourself, re-invent who you are and still keep the memories, the knowledge of your former self. We resist change as if by instinct. We're so stuck in our old ways and then something changes and we end up fighting it. The fighting, the resistance makes it harder for us to process the changes that are inevitable. This is when we need to just go with the flow and let it happen. Sometimes what we fight the most is the best for us. Whether it's trying to lose weight or studying for a better position at your job, there comes a time where you know you have to make a change in your life. Yet even when we are aware of the need to change we still resist it. In order to make the changes we need to make in our lives we have to stop the cycle of resisting change. We start making the positive changes in our lives then resistance creeps up and we stop, only to start again later down the road. You know going back to school will help further your career. You keep putting it off and making excuses. 'I'll do it later.' 'I need to be home for my family.' 'I don't have the time right now.' Excuses, excuses, excuses. What's the real reason you keep putting it off? Are you worried about how your co-workers might react if you get promoted over them? Are you worried about if you'll lose some of your friends if you change too much? Are you worried about the added responsibility of a new position? You keep worrying about all of the 'what ifs' - things that haven't happened yet and end up staying stuck in the same position at your job. All the while, complaining about wanting to move up in your career and wanting a raise. So how do you get out of this rut, out of this cycle? You want to change, but you're afraid to change, so you resist the change, and you stay stuck. You have to release your fears before you can move forward, before you can re-invent yourself. You have to remove the blocks laying in your path so you can have a clear view of what lies ahead for you. Acknowledge your need to change and then honor your past, present and future by taking a step in a new direction. A step towards a new you.