To Bend or Not To Bend

I went to see the play, Fiddler on the Roof this week. So many amazing life lessons and points to ponder. Several times the lead character, Tevya, was presented a new reality. In his amusing and down to earth way, He would mull it over with "one one hand..." On the other hand..." Twice he did find a way to bridge his values and the new reality. Finally there was the point where this father had a decision to make about whether he could bend his core values (tradition) to accomodate this new reality presented to him. He concluded if he bent that far, he would break, and he painfully had to take a stand.

We all live a life that is filled with- call them traditions, or ruts- but ways we've ALWAYS done things. We are designed to try to be efficient. Traditions make life easier, because we don't have to work through painful decisions over and over.

If you are reading this blog, you are probably trying to make healthy life decisions. so let me ask you something personal:
Are your ruts unhealthy? Do you mindlessly reach for the snack as you turn on the tv, or do you hit the snooze three times every single morning? Does tailgaiting REQUIRE alcohol and fried chicken? Do you eat fast food EVERY workday for lunch?

As you try to establish a healthier lifestyle, you will find yourself confronting some of these "traditions"
Sometimes you can easily do a cost/ benefit analysis- "On one hand... , On the other hand.... "
Eventually you will come up against one or more that you are not READY to let go of, or perhaps not ready to embrace a new reality.

It's really all about emotion.
We are either drawn to feeling a new positive reality or fleeing from a painful old reality.
Review the reasons you want that healthy life.
Keep loading that value in your mind.
You will be successful if you see the desired end lightens the pain, or produces a clear better.
The greater the pain, or the clearer the positive, the quicker you will trade the new path for the old rut.

If you need a partner, a coach to help you- contact me at palmettofitness at Yahoo.com