"Says who?" You Do.
Rules, belief systems, choices. These can cause blockages for us in everything we do. Thinking things have to be a certain way, believing we have to look a certain way, thinking what society says goes and there are no other choices.
Couldn’t be more wrong. Was just reading blog updates from my friends Jess and Leanna, two women blogging about their progress towards living a more balanced, healthy and fit lifestyle. They attended a networking event last night that ended late. On the way home they chatted about their progress, and Jess wanted to walk but thought “It’s too late”. Leanna’s response, “Says who?”
Jess and Leanna both went for walks when they got home, about 20 minutes each. And as I like to say, some minutes are better than no minutes!
Brilliant questioning, Leanna. “Says who?” You do, we do, I do, and sometimes you, we and I aren’t always right! True, if it’s dark and late, be careful! Avoid going alone, or bring a flashlight, and definitely let someone know where you’re going and approximately how long you’ll be gone. Ok, I’m done playing mother hen.
The bottom line: If you want to make changes to healthy living or any habit, you’ve got to shift your thinking. And a shift often comes with questions that YOU find the answers to. No one can tell you what to do. Well, they can, but then you become dependent on them, and that’s no good for anyone.
Don’t have a friend or people you trust to ask you those tough questions? That’s what coaching is all about. A great coach will ask you questions, get you thinking, perhaps even make you a bit uncomfortable. The answers will be provided by you and that’s when the breakthrough occurs.
Challenging, yes. Freeing, most definitely. Try it. If you already know the tough questions, don’t be afraid to ask and answer for yourself. The path that opens for you when you do will only lead to great things.
I’ve been asking myself some tough questions lately, too. Will become a future blog post, so stay tuned. I’ve learned quite a bit!
Have you had to answer any tough questions lately? What changes have you made as a result?
I’m glad I went for that walk! Changing habits and preconceived notions is not an easy task! Thank goodness for Coach Leanna!
Just so you know - my neighbor was nervous that I was going for a walk so late!
Was it your neighbor who has some issues with parking her car straight?
I love going for walks in the dark. My parents raised us to wear reflective belt things if we were out at night (it was a bright orange strap that went from your shoulder to waist like a Miss America banner). They used to make me wear one when I was in my teens and walking with my friends to Scituate Harbor for ice cream. At first I’d hide it in the bushes down the street from my house but then I thought, what if get hit by a car and I’m not wearing the belt? I’d feel guilty. So, I’d ball it up and carry it with me and then shove it under the deck at Wilber’s until it was time to leave. Some boy found it once, and held it up high saying “what is this thing?” It might as well have been my underwear. I grabbed it back and said “It’s mine and it’s ugly, but it’s not as ugly as my guts would be splattered all over the road if I got hit by a car.”
Now I love my reflective vest and always wear when I’m out walking after dark, or even at dusk.
Reflector vests are the best!
@ Jessica - you’re right, changing habits and beliefs is difficult. Having good friends is helpful to ask the questions we don’t often ask ourselves!
@Leanna - great story. When we’re younger it’s so much better to be cool than safe. Now, it always amazes me when I see people walking in the dark without any reflective gear.