Consistent or Habitual

Have you ever considered that polarity? Where are you consistent in your life? Making choices from an evolved/conscious thought pattern that serve you well? Where are you habitual in your life? Choosing by default/from your subconscious what you have always done, even if it does not serve you well?

Don't dismiss the paragraph above with the automatic thought of I don't choose from default. Or with the resistance of I don't understand what she is talking about. We ALL have consistent behaviors and habitual behaviors. Most of us don't take the time to consider which of our actions fall into which category.

Why would I want to consider such a thing may be the next question you entertain. Good question! The answer is .. knowing is half the battle G.I. Joe. When we are aware of the times we habitually act or don't act we have the power to change and grow.

So here are some journaling prompts for you:

Do you find yourself in the same kind of discussions with your spouse, parent, co-worker? Discussions that never work out the way you want? Discussions that you walk away from feeling sad, hurt, angry, generally not good as you leave? You may hear things over and over again that you don't want to hear and/or you may say/think/feel things over and over again that just make you feel less than great about yourself, the relationship, the situation. In these moments you have engaged in a habitual response. Reacting to stimuli provided by someone/something outside of yourself.

Do you find yourself in the same behavior pattern over and over again where the outcome is less than desirable? This too is reacting .. going shopping when you can't really afford to, eating when you are not hungry, drinking too much, gambling beyond your budget, spending too much time online, etc.

Write about the things that repeat in your life - patterns, feelings, thoughts, behaviors. Which of these serve your highest good? Which ones come from conscious choosing and net you good results? Which ones come from habit or need and net you results that you don't always enjoy?

Now write about how you can more often land in the consistent category.