(really cool) recycled words (of wisdom)...

At what moment does change happen? At what moment do we make change happen? The obvious answer to the latter is New Year’s Eve. It’s already picked for us to resolve to make a change. So we jump on the change-wagon and decide to lose weight, gain muscle, start fresh and make our lives and ourselves better.

Any moment can be significant, whether it’s 04:05:06, 07/08/09—or not. Why don’t we pick the moments to make a change? Why give New Year’s Eve the exclusive? We all know change is constant and that most change is beyond our control. So I say, let's take the reins back and be the CEOs of change. The ones who make “it” happen, because we want to and we can.

We all enjoy a degree of determination in deciding the extent that change impacts our lives. This is vital. However, any change can be stressful, whether we bring it on or it just happens. Remember: it's not so much what happens to us, but how we respond to it that really matters.

So, I now ask, "How do you respond to change?"

How we handle change is mostly inherited from our family and our upbringing. How we cope is typically how our parents coped, which stems from how their parents coped … resulting in the perpetuation of coping skills—good or bad.

Hindsight reveals what hasn't worked in the past so we can learn to be more successful in our personal and professional lives. As they say, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

So, the next question I pose is, "What is your WHY?" The answer must have sufficient meaning in order for you to lead change and keep the momentum. If you are comfortable where you are, you'll stay where you are. At that rate, why don't you just go and buy a rocking chair, as it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere. (MH: dang! preach it, Jay! Love this!

Sometimes we have to heal the past to free the present. To let go of our past so we can be who we truly are... to live our WHY! Letting go will also greatly reduce the stress in your life and free you to make change happen.

Here’s an exercise I practice in this ever-changing world that we work, live and play in. Try it yourself and see where it leads you.

STEP ONE: Think about an issue in your life that you are holding onto. Something that is holding you back from change.

STEP TWO: Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling, honestly and openly.

STEP THREE: Answer the questions below "Yes" or "No" with a minimum of thought involved. Can I let this feeling go? Can I allow this feeling to be here? Can I welcome this feeling?

STEP FOUR: Are you willing to let go? If the answer is no or if you're not sure, ask yourself, "Would I rather have this feeling or would I rather be free?" If you're ready, ask yourself this question: "When?"

This is an invitation to just let it go NOW. Letting go is a decision you can make any time you choose. Repeat these steps as often as needed to uncover your freedom. Decide TODAY to get more out of life this year, this month, this day—this moment and every moment.

After all, it's just another moment in time, a moment in the middle of the year for you to decide if you want to make a change. Happy 04:05:06 07/08/09.

Always me, Jay

*I get these IMAGEHAUS (an agency in Minni) newsletters every month or so, and I love 'em, always think they're chock-full of good insight. Take it or leave it. I think I'll take it. To go, please. :)

I think this is a good lesson for us all...sometimes it's hard to let go of the pass and move on, in order to accomplish what we set out to do...*

So go on and be a change catalyst...it's fun and exhilarating,

Me