difference between waking up at 5:30 am and 5:45 am, but it would be a shock to wake at 5:30 a.m. after years of a 7:30 a.m. alarm. Positive change takes time and dedication. Even big changes can be incremental. Anyone who has been searching for a new job or new home knows the process can be daunting. We update our resumes or search the Internet and classifieds. We investigate the housing market and start making phone calls to realtors. In either scenario, we begin to envision how our new life will look. Then, when the time is right, we take action. In order to set a plan for change in motion, try starting with a daily intention. An intention sets the tone for the day, week, month, or even year. Essentially, when we set New Year’s Resolutions, we are creating an intention for the year. The problem is, we often do not revisit that intention, and eventually it becomes lost. Try creating a simple intention to repeat each day. For the biggest impact, make sure the intention aligns with your values, goals, and reality. It could be something like, “I will stay positive today,” “I will appreciate each moment,” or “I am grateful to be alive.” When you open your eyes each morning, put your hands on your heart, breathe in your intention, and breathe out with a smile on your face.
CHANGE REINFORCES MINDFULNESS Enjoy this moment. This moment is your life. A reminder like this can be both terrifying and inspiring. How many of our moments are we consciously aware of? Change is a good thing. It forces us to stop going through the motions and start existing consciously and mindfully. We may not realize how unhappy we are with our routine until we make a change. It is hard to see our circumstances clearly without the perspective provided by that change. We are allowed to change as many times as we need to. Not only are we allowed, we are expected to change. Even when things appear to be changing for the worse, they are teaching us, setting the bar for where we are and where we want to be. Remaining open to opportunities and embracing each change will lead us closer to the life that is meant for us. Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Northeast Iowa based Mental Health Counselor. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. She is passionate about healing, health, and happiness. Her writing is designed to inspire others to create lasting and meaningful change in their lives. To learn more, visit her website oliviaschnur.com.
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