A Change of Format: Practicing What I Preach

As I've reflected on the changes that have taken place and the lessons I have learned in recent months, a huge paradigm shift (how one views the world, one's life and one's self) has taken place.

The first part of the new paradigm is simply this: Be yourself. Having the courage to express your thoughts, ideas, dreams and desires instead of covering them up with a facade is absolutely crucial to life and well-being.

The second part of the paradigm is also simple but also requires courage. It's summarized from some quotes by Bruce Lee, but the core is this: Be like water. Water is alive when it flows; when it cannot flow, it becomes stagnant and deadly. The lessons and changes produced by my new paradigm must be into practice in all relationships in life, and must flow into and through everything I do (even the way I format this blog). There are other parts to the paradigm but these two are foremost at this moment.

Instead of the format being "process-oriented" or "instructional" or "step-by-step", it will henceforth simply be a journal of insights, observations, and new ideas. I do not intend to instruct; instead, I simply want to share.

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves" - Bruce Lee. 

The Ingredients of Personal Change

I've been doing a lot of reading about change, as well as listening to audio teachings on the subject. I've covered ideas from many different teachers on success, change, personal growth and life. So far, I've discovered that they all share some of the same core principles (although they may understand or explain them differently from teacher to teacher). I have begun to incorporate these ideas into my own life, little by little, and so far, I've seen a remarkable difference in my daily performance, relations, and attitude.

Here's what I've learned so far. The following list is numbered but doesn't indicate importance or rank. All of the ideas or principles are essential.

1. Be yourself.
    There truly is no other YOU.

2. Begin With The End In Mind. 
    You must visualize and have a clear idea of what you want to do.

3. Little steps. Daily.
    "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzu.

4. Be positive in outlook, words and attitude.
    Positive attracts; negative dispels.

5. Believe in yourself.
    Have complete confidence in your thoughts, ideas, intelligence and abilities.

6. Be intentional.
    Don't let things just happen to you; be proactive.

7. Choose your thoughts.
    As a man thinks, so he becomes.

8. Live in the flow of Life.
    Seek change, not control.

9. Change is more about direction than destination.
    Be always growing.

10. Meditate regularly.
      "Unless you are patient and allow the mud to settle, how shall the waters become clear?" -
      Lao Tzu
   

My aim is to develop and expound upon these concepts more in future posts. Just the act of writing these out here has been beneficial in reminding me and causing me to reflect upon all that they mean and imply.