The Key to Making a Change

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

There is a lottery billboard with the current jackpot total on route 95, right before you enter into Baltimore. It has been there for as long as I can remember and every time Les and I would drive by it, it would start the same familiar conversation about where our life is currently.  We talk about what we would do with all the money if we won.  Now, mind you, I do believe you have to actually play the lottery to have the potential to win, which we don’t do very often.  Therefore, the conversation is always a day dream.  But it is fun to do just that.

We would put away money for our kids so they can be comfortable.  We would help out our parents and siblings financially.  We would up level our business with additional funding.  We would buy more land and farm our food.  We would learn more, travel more, and have the financial freedom to work less and live more.

Have you had this conversation too?  I imagine you have in some way dreamed about what your life would look like if you had the financial freedom of winning the lottery, or something similar.  If it isn’t the extra money that would invite you to live a different life, maybe it is your health, or your location, or the people around you.

Whatever the “when this happens, then …” is for you, something is holding you back for living your dream life.  I have heard countless people talk about when they lose a little weight, then they will go to the gym to exercise.  When the kids go back to school after summer is over, they will get their life back.  When your health or your money or your relationship is “in order,” then you will begin to have the life you desire.

I say, do it now.  Whatever it is that you want, make the choice to go for it!  This might not be the most simple or easy step to take, but it is the most important!

We only have one life to live and we all want to get the most out of it.  Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so we need to make the most of today.  Maybe you want to quit smoking or drinking.  Maybe you want to get out of debt.  Maybe you desire a loving, healthy relationship.  Maybe you are ready to leave your job or move out of the area.  Maybe you want to travel more.  Maybe you want to start loving yourself unconditionally.  Whatever it is that you desire, make the choice today to take a step, even the smallest step forward in the direction of what you want. 

I’d like to share with you Les’ story.  This story is about one choice he made and the ripple effect that occurred because of it and some of the things he learned along the way.  While this is just one choice to be made, you can see that many things changed as a result of this one decision.  On February 28, 2016 Les made the choice to quit drinking alcohol.  It was one choice, it was a difficult choice, but it was only one.  He committed to it fully.  When he reached 100 days, here is what he wrote, reflecting on the journey that was born from this one decision:

“100 days ago, I decided to end a 23-year habit of alcohol consumption. It has been a profound period of my life and wanted to spend a few words sharing some of the experience.

To say that my life has improved would be an understatement. Some expected improvements include...

• Improved quality of sleep
• Improved body composition
• Improved blood pressure
• Improved general overall mood

The big stuff...

• My outlook on life has transformed
• My ability to manage stressful events has dramatically improved
• I have read more books in the last 100 days than in my entire adult life (embarrassing to admit but the self-improvement gained from this has been profound)
• My ability to help others as a coach has taken a tremendous step forward

The really big stuff...

• I am able to connect, communicate, and relate to those in my life more authentically
• I am learning to live life fully from a place of gratitude and loving kindness
• I am able to experience the present moment with all my senses, soaking in the beauty of my environment and all those around me

Some thoughts...

When the grass seems greener on the other side, try watering the lawn

Some say it takes 28 days to change a habit. This is wrong. It takes a moment. A thought.

You change your life the moment you decide to change. We chose to live how we chose to live.

We are not the sum of our circumstances. We are the sum of our choices.

I now chose to live in alignment with what is actually important to me. To love more fully. To take in more breathe. To soak in more sun. To play harder.  To sleep sounder.  To hug closer.  To live with passion.  I chose this.  I am grateful I have the choice.”

Over two an a half years after making this decision, Les is still alcohol free and living passionately, and intentionally the life of his dreams.

The key to making a lasting change is choice.

If it is truly important to you, you can make a change. 

"We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."
— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

With love and gratitude,

Sara and Les

The Mindful Movement

I hope you make the choice to take a step, even the smallest step, forward to getting what you desire!

If you want to design your dream life and clarify your values, get started with our free Guided Visualization to Design your Dream Life.

Click here to access the visualization and get the journal exercise to go with it.