(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

It has been said that humans don’t resist change, we resist being changed. We are all for the concept and application of new ideas and actions as long as we don’t have to think, say, do or be different.

Have you ever known someone who joined a health club because they really wanted to improve their body in some way but then never developed the habit of getting to the club on a regular basis? Many garages have unused exercise machines for the same reason.

Another example is when people first learned from Copernicus that the Earth was not the center of the Universe. The Church threatened to burn Copernicus at the stake unless he recanted his heretical idea. [He did; it didn’t change the facts or his opinions, but he did get to continue living!]

To know about change — and even to influence change in others — is useful but it is ultimately a head game and will not improve the quality of your life. Real life improvement comes when you find ways to be changed, permanently.

 

Copyright 1998 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.