Effective Change

Left to our own devices, changing our nature or perhaps more accurately growing beyond it, is problematic. Consider the smoker/addict who decides to quit, yet keeps a pack of cigarettes/drugs handy just in case the craving becomes too great or the alcoholic who swears off but continues to frequent their favorite watering hole because that is where their “friends” are. Now I am sure someone has quit smoking, drugs or drinking in this manner, but it is clear that this path is fraught with impediments to success and more smoking, drug abuse and drinking is usually the outcome. Why do something hard like riding out cravings when relief is a match, drink, pill, line, toke, fix, etc away, and bars are pretty dreary places sober, especially when all your “friends” are having a “good” time.

This type of thinking, though most egregious in the alcoholic/addict, touches virtually everyone. Consider the diets, the exercise pledges or any vow made that was quickly sabotaged by a "deserved" treat, feeling "tired" or overwhelmed or just being uncomfortable with the "desired" new path. Just like the addict/alcoholic, we meant it when we vowed to change, but quickly drifted back into the familiar, comfortable well trod modes of thinking and living.

No person or circumstance can force anyone to permanently change from without. The desire to change must come from within, and it must be desired with fervor. We hold the key to freedom, yet so many desire change, yet sabotage themselves almost before they begin guaranteeing failure. Simple but not easy, a price must be paid, and that price is the surrendering of self. We must be willing to go to any lengths to embrace the new way of living if we truly wish to change, to grow our spirituality, our consciousness raised. Living on the Spiritual Basis, practicing a new set of values and principles we will be set free, free of the bondage of self, free of destructive thinking and actions; our essential nature changed, our consciousness raised, altered, in truth, for all eternity.

© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit All Rights Reserved

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