Your Change Meter

Life Change in the New Year by Dr. Lisa Ryan

The mike is off, but the brain is still on. I was inspired to send this out during a recent walk…

I see clients who want change in their lives. Few arrive at my office understanding that they themselves are the ONLY agent of change over which they have any true power. Even fewer want to pay the price for change. In my deepest prayer, I ask God to help us to be able to catch the vision of true freedom and its reward. We are free to let go of our old habits and change. Here’s how to tell if you are changing:

Change involves pain, discomfort, and internal wrestling. On a scale of 0 to 10, are you registering any score on the “discomfort of change” meter? If not… ain’t much happinin’. I used to think that if I felt too uncomfortable, that something was wrong with my process. I now know that I should anticipate a lot of discomfort when I set my mind on change. If we want to continually change, which I do, then there will always be some discomfort.

“Sweet words of change” don’t get us anywhere, but it is easy and alluring to speak them. “Of course” we need to learn to love others more, judge less, and forgive. “Of course”, we say, we are willing to do our part. “Of course”, we understand that change starts with us. “Of course” we “want” more self-discipline. “Of course!” And sadly… the process often stops there – with the words.

With a little faith, we can choose to believe in ourselves, in God’s goodness, and in a different tomorrow. Change has an uncomfortable price, but the reward in self-esteem, serving others, pleasing God, and watching how we grow in integrity makes our discomfort seem only “light and momentary.” For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Have a great NEW Year! AKA, here in Hawaii, Hou’oli Makahiki Hou!


YOUR choices count!