The Zigzagging Path to Change

The Zigzagging Path to Change: And Why You Must Practice Patience and Compassion for Yourself

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."  -John F. Kennedy

Each one of us is a new person in each moment.  We are constantly changing.  Our physical body down to our cells are changing. Our opinions, our emotions, our work, and relationships are constantly changing. In fact, the one thing that is held constant, is that we are all changing.

Benjamin Disraeli said, “Change is inevitable. Change is constant.”  Yet as humans, we tend to either resist change or expect it to be easy and immediate, and both of these scenarios add an unnecessary layer of suffering.  And Gail Sheehy said, “If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.”

If change is inevitable, and change allows us to grow and live, how do we allow, even ensure, our experience to be a positive change?

The short answer is patience.  Lao Tzu once said, “Nature does not hurry yet everything is accomplished.”  A reminder I find myself needing quite often, whether it is in the realm of work, raising children, or relationships with others.  And quite possibly, I need the reminder the most often when it comes to my own personal development.  Simply look at the changing of the seasons or the growth process of a plant, it happens in exactly the right time.

Now for the long answer, because patience is a simple idea, and may be a more difficult execution.  As the saying goes, “easier said than done.”  Much like water patiently erodes the surface of rock, you too can soften the hard layers of suffering over time. Follow the path of least resistance, practice patience and acceptance to avoid the added suffering.  With patience for the process, you can release your resistance, accept what is, and experience peace.

Change is Not Linear

Making a change, especially one of personal growth, is in no way a linear journey.  The path has many ups and downs.  It has times of moving forward as well as times of moving backward.  If you have an expectation that change will be easy or immediate, you can get thrown off track or feel like you are failing.  If it doesn’t go just as you expect and you might be tempted to quit, believing the change you desire is not possible for you.

The challenge, and what will ultimately support your change, is practicing patience and understanding during the downs and any time you feel you are regressing backwards.  Letting go of resistance and experiencing acceptance is an ongoing practice.  It is one that can be especially difficult, yet extremely useful during challenging and uncertain times as well as periods of personal growth.  A bit of trust in yourself, trust in the journey, and trust in possibilities will make the practice of patience and acceptance a bit easier.

Seek out Support

Supporting change is what I do. And I have chosen this because I relate to the need for that support system myself.  Whether I am working with a hypnotherapy client, teaching a Pilates class, or training Pilates instructors, I am a coach, teacher, and supporter of change.  If someone comes to me to quit smoking, release blocks keeping them from the creative process they desire, or to release excess weight and improve their health, I support change.

On the mat with consistent movement or with a personalized hypnosis recording, I will be your biggest cheerleader.  However, you must take each step on your path yourself.  Here are some helpful reminders for the path of change:

• Change is not perfect. No person is perfect.
• Expect setbacks so when they come, they don't completely deter your efforts and you can get right back on track.
• You will have bad days, AND that doesn’t mean they will all be bad.
• Recognize and connect with the positive you have accomplished.
• See the gift of the challenges to help you grow.
• Seek out support.
• Process your experience, don’t push it down. Meditation and journaling are my preferred tools to do this.
• Practice patience and acceptance.

A personalized hypnotherapy session will can support you in making a change you desire.  It would be my honor to help you through the process of change that you are looking for.

Here are a few resources to help you make a change:

• Meditation for New Beginnings
• Meditation to Cultivate Patience
• Acceptance Meditation
• Meditation to Support Positive Change
• Small Beginnings for Big Change
• The Catalyst for Transformation

Additional Resources:

If you are looking to dive into the world of meditation in 2021, a great starting point is our 4-Day Meditation Journey. This free program is a great resource for beginners and those looking to step back into the practice of meditation.

Members Oasis for: Unlimited access to all Mindful Movement Meditations and Hypnosis Practices; Exclusive Members Only Content added EVERY month; Practice anytime, anywhere.

Purchase your favorite Meditation and Hypnosis practices from the Mindful Movement. You can download an MP3 file to listen to anytime, anywhere with no internet access necessary.

Let us know how we can help.  Please feel to leave a comment with any other suggestions, comments, or questions for the community!

With love and gratitude,

Sara and Les

The Mindful Movement