There’s a verse from the Bible in Matthew 6:21 that says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Is this true in your life? What do you treasure most? Does where you are spending your time reflect that? If someone who didn’t know you observed you for a few days, where would they say your heart is?
For instance, if you say you treasure your family, are you spending quality time with them? If not, why not? How strong are your relationships? Having strong relationships with family and friends is crucial for our emotional well-being. What’s getting in the way? What about your physical health? Do you think it’s important? Of course, you do, but do your actions reflect that? Are you spending time most days of the week exercising and being conscious of the kinds of foods you eat? Again, if not, why not?
I would say the answer for most of us is that we haven’t gotten into the habit of making some of the things we say are important to us a regular part of our routine, especially because we tend to look at everything we must do and adding one more thing, even if it’s a good thing, seems too overwhelming. I also think many of us are too rigid. For instance, we know we should exercise at least 30 minutes, so if we can’t do that much, we don’t do anything. I’d like to encourage you to get rid of all-or-nothing thinking. It doesn’t work, but small, consistent changes do.
Don’t underestimate the power of making small changes. Today, choose something you’ve been meaning to incorporate into your life, and do something small to make it happen. Focus more on developing the habit of doing DAILY those things you say are important to you and less on how much time you spent. Every little action counts! Don’t allow those important things to be relegated to the “someday” category anymore. Some day is today. If you need to start exercising regularly, start with only five minutes. You can do more if you feel like it, but the amount of time you do it is irrelevant right now. What’s most important is just that you begin exercising today, and then you do it again for five minutes tomorrow and the next day and the next day, and so on. The days that you feel like doing more, go for it. The days you aren’t feeling it at all, do it anyway, just five minutes. Some days, 20% of your best is 100% for that day. You were victorious simply due to the fact that you did something. You didn’t give in. You kept the habit or streak going.
Again, it’s all about solidifying the habit of becoming a person who exercises on a daily basis, no matter how you feel or what’s going on in your life. If you want to be a healthy person, you must behave like a healthy person on a consistent basis. If you want to be a person who has strong relationships with your family, you must do those things that make your relationships strong, and do them consistently. What small thing can you start doing every day to make one of your relationships better? Can you begin to do it consistently every day? Will you? What other areas of your life could benefit from small habits? Where’s your heart?
The bottom line is, all too often, our actions do not match our words. We say one thing and do another Let’s put an end to that today. Let’s start doing those things that reflect the feelings in our hearts. For some encouragement concerning improving your habits, I highly recommend the book Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear. To take it a step further, shoot me an e-mail and tell me what you’re going to start doing to align your actions with what’s in your heart. Let’s hold each other accountable. When we commit to change, challenge mind and body, and create a new paradigm, we can conquer ANYTHING! Have a fantastic week!
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