The endless cycle

It seems to me that sometimes people get into a bit of a rut.  I'm talking about how we continually try to change, but keep coming back to our old patterns of living.  Why is this?  Why is it so hard to change?  I think that it is because it is hard.

When push comes to shove, we tend to stay with what we know.  When put in an unfamiliar situation, if we know what people are "supposed" to do in the situation, we will try to do that.  We grow accustomed to certain behaviors and find it hard to stray away from them.

However, change is always possible.  It takes a lot more than a simple idea in our head or a flimsy wish though.  It takes real, consistent effort.  It means doing the hard thing, and going against the flow. It means finding something else to do when the thing you are accustomed to is in from of you.  It is hard, but worth it. The best part of all of this is, anyone can do it.  Me, you, anyone.  I know change is possible, if we make it our priority.

I also found an interesting article on this topic, you can check it out here:
 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-willpower/201003/why-habits-are-hard-change-and-printers-hard-buy

Testing and trial

This week I learned that tests are are terrible things.  This past week I had three exams, none of which I did exceptionally well on.  However, after having a little bit of time to reflect I have learned a few things from this past week.

First, you really shouldn't get too down on yourself.  Each one of us in a unique individual with many wonderful traits.  We have things that we are good at, and things which we are not so good at.  We have good days and bad days.  However, we are still our unique self, and no one can take that from us.

Second, sometimes we all need a wake-up call.  I fell that honestly I've been a little cocky lately, and this week was a good chance for me to realize that I need to work harder to earn the level of grades and success that I want.  As I was blissfully slipping into a false sense of security, reality hit me right in the face.  I think that unless we have times where things just don't work out for us, we may all lose focus, and become less than we can be.

Even as we struggle, we will be able to come out wiser if we take the chance to not get discouraged, and to realize that we can improve.  This week was a tough one, but hopefully the coming future will be bright, and I will be able to reach the many goals I have for myself.