Lesson 1: CHANGE
Sometimes we fear change. Let’s acknowledge that change can be beautiful! Autumn reminds us of this when leaves change from green to the most beautiful vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. The Autumn season can encourage us to take a moment and think about something we need to change and reflect on how it can be a beautiful process instead of a scary one.
Baby Steps:
A great way to confront change is to take baby steps. Here are some suggestions of small changes you can experiment with before tackling a big change you want to address.
- Choose a different menu item from your favorite restaurant
- Try a new restaurant
- Change up a few items on your grocery list by choosing different brands
- Try a new recipe
- Go to the grocery store in a different neighborhood
- Change up your nightly routine by adding some reading time, meditation time, switch out the shower for a soaking bath
- Tackle something that reinforces your worthiness to yourself. For example, if having personal time respected is an issue, set aside 30 minutes where everyone in the house knows not to interrupt you and to respect your “me” time. (You my even print an “out of office” sign for your bedroom door and turn off your phone).
Change Meditation Activity:
- Find a quiet spot to sit or lay down comfortably, dim the lights, light a candle if you wish. Start by closing your eyes and taking 3 deep breaths. Now focus on your normal breathing for a count of ten full breaths (inhale and exhale).
- Bring to mind the thing in your life that you want to change but it feels somewhat scary. Envision yourself actualizing the change, going through it and envision the most positive and desired outcome. Be sure to feel the emotion of successfully accomplishing it!
- Now envision this again, this time you are holding a green leaf, as you envision forward to your outcome the leaf slowly turns from green to one of those magical Autumn colors. Smile and congratulate yourself for being brave and taking the steps to make this change a reality.
- Take 3 more deep breaths. Open your eyes.
- Now write a plan of action for your change, including steps to be taken and timeline. Research for details if that’s necessary. But in the next 24 hours you should have your plan mapped out and ready to execute! Come back to your change meditation any time you need to during your change process for an emotional boost.
- Be sure to dedicate time to celebrate your bravery at the start, during and at the completion of your successful change!