“Change is like rest”, goes a famous saying. It is true that the most constant thing in life is change itself, for life is like a train that is always on the move. It’s no doubt that the pursuit of freedom calls for change in some aspects of our lives. Change is not easy, but its results are worth it.
As it is said, the best view comes after the hardest climb. In our pursuit of freedom, we may have to change in various areas. One example is the change of habits. Some people are trapped in destructive habits that they find hard to break from. These range from simple habits like watching too much film and unhealthy eating, to more serious ones like gambling. The human brain finds it difficult to leave a habit once it is formed. It requires great will power to be able to break from them.
Another area of change is changing our environment. Most people oftentimes find themselves in the wrong company of friends, or the wrong job or relationship. Knowing very well that the environment around us does to favour our personal growth, it is in our best interest to change it.
Again, this is not always easy. Why do people find it hard to embrace change in their lives? First is the ‘comfort zone.” We naturally like to do the things and be in the environment that we are used to. Any deviation is unwelcome. Furthermore, according to psychology, the human brain always seeks pleasure and avoids pain; this explains why we may continue to hold onto pleasurable habits despite them harming our lives.
Despite our resistance to change, we can never attain full freedom without embracing it. We can do this by first and foremost deciding what we want in life. Having a clear goalthe first step, and the second is identifying the steps we have to take to reach that goal.
If for instance, a person realises that he/she has a weight problem, then their goal is to lose a certain amount of weight. The person has to then decide on a daily workout plan and diet to stick to. This way, changing the habit becomes more plausible.
Human life is usually about the pursuit of freedom and happiness. Attainment of freedom is both a psychological and emotional state, where our decisions and experiences are not dictated by situations that we have no control over. Life is however not perfect, and sometimes we lose this precious gift of freedom, and it is then that we have to take it back. That is where change is required most.
In conclusion, change is not easy, but without it freedom becomes evasive in our lives. To change anything, it is important to start with the mind-set first, for unless the mind is convinced of the need for change, it will be impossible for one to achieve it.
The greatest battles are fought in the mind, and whoever wins them becomes a free person. Change is a gradual process involving constant, daily improvements in the direction that we want to go. The important thing is never to stop trying to be better. Embrace the little discomfort that change brings so as to reap the great benefits that it brings later.