Bringing in new practices into your life can be tricky. The ego mind which only identifies with the past and familiar turns into the saboteur telling you all the reasons you cannot do the very thing you want to do! Rather than get mad at the ego – it’s only doing what it knows – you must engage your higher mind and imagination and chose a new identity! This sounds a little strange (the ego mind kicking in) but it is very doable! First you need to get really clear on what you want and why. Next think of a person or archetype that embodies what you want. Draw a picture of that, put a reminder in your phone, just something to keep it in your awareness. Visualize yourself being the person enjoying the rewards of the new habit then take doable actions to align with this new, unfamiliar identity. This might look like “I want to start a meditation practice so I can manage stress and become a calmer person and enjoy my relationships more.” Place a drawing or statue of a calm meditator to remind you of this several times a day. Spend time perhaps each morning and evening visualizing yourself meditating and creating a peaceful feeling. Make a doable action like creating a little space in your home to practice, commit to when and how long for instance each morning after waking and before checking electronics to sit for at least 5 minutes and do the same thing at the end of the day. Now you have a plan and inspiration to follow through with!

Are you feeling a new identity emerging? Sometimes it’s only in hindsight that you actually see your evolutionary progress! Also, you may have to hear or do something many times before it takes hold! This is one of the reasons why we want to make the new habit small enough the ego’s resistance won’t stop it. Think about the trigger, action and reward? Example: trigger waking up, action – 5 minutes of meditation, reward receiving the benefits of doing it and evolving your identity! Having awareness of what’s working and also what’s not is very important. I’m so glad just to have the awareness because some of these habits I have dialed in and others…well, I’m embarrassed to say I watch myself ignore the trigger and action, hence, no reward! This is really a good thing because I have much more awareness and catch myself in the act! That in itself is making me question my own integrity or even desire in some areas! Since this is about self love rather than self judgment, it breeds compassion towards oneself and others. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Try being more present with what is without judgment and recognize your evolution by being in this journey! Habit by habit you are creating a more clear and vibrant YOU!