Why NOW?

When we have reasons, at our core, to make a change, then we have the single ingredient required to to get started.  However, once those initial reasons are no longer at the center of our change, we need to discover new reasons.

One of my wonderful members this week shared a story about change.  She said that it is like rowing a boat away from a shoreline that you don't like.  You move away from the trouble, and you are much happier, but you are only in the middle of the lake now.  At that point, you can stop, take stock of your progress, and then search for a new reason to keep you paddling all the way to the opposite shore.  You explore what it will take to stay the course and reach your ultimate destination.

This explains part of the challenge in our journey of self improvement.  We have to keep finding reasons to keep going.  We have to identify those important "whys" that make the work of self improvement and fulfillment make sense.  While you might be glad your pants are no longer strangling you (middle of the lake), you may not be happy to buy a pair of jeans (opposite side of lake).

Sometimes we need a new reason every day to stick with the program.  Other times, we have a longer range reason (wedding, reunion) to keep focused.  At the very least, if we reflect deeply on what matters the most, right now,  we will discover the motivation to keep going.

Of course, getting to the opposite side of the lake, to the ultimate place we'd like to be is not the end of our journey.  It is merely a new place to celebrate--an even greater achievement.  It is also a place to discover new reasons and new "whys."  They change over time because our lives change.  That's a good thing.  It keeps our journey fresh, exciting and moving.

Take a moment this week to discover what is motivating you right now.  What is at the center of your heart's desire for a healthy, happy, fulfilling and active life?  Let those important reasons motivate you to keep growing, to keep paddling, to keep going.