Behavior Modification

Yesterday a friend and I were chatting about my blog and my message...

He said, Josh it is all about behavior modification.  Although it was in a different context then the following, it did prompt me to make this post.  

This morning while at the gym, I was watching one of the television monitors.  In the course of what could not have even been 5-minutes, stories included the continued financial market collapse, Japan's recent economic downturn, a small plane crash, a story on the financial crisis for Zoo's nationwide, Rod B's impeachment...oh, and here was the lighter story...the 5,000 calorie bacon and meat roll!  Stop the insanity, please!  As the image to the left indicates, confusing messages often present themselves in our lives.  

In recent months, I have been considering the direction of my posts, particularly as it relates to this large global cloud of "crisis".  I have said it many times before, the solution is change, period.  If we do not modify our behavior, both individually and collectively, we cannot expect improvement.  However, there is a constant...and that constant is change.  Change will continue regardless, but our participation or modification of our own behavior can make these changes positive. 

I am not here to tell you how specifically proceed, but to emphasis the why.  The why is because we can.  We have the ability, just like we have the ability to make the wrong choices.

We must stop blaming, stop waiting, stop wishing and do something!  If you simply are waiting for the other shoe to fall...it will.  Do anything positive, no matter how small.  Create change. Recycle something you typically wouldn't, be kind to someone who treated you poorly at the coffee shop, give your gloves to the homeless vet at the highway on ramp, let your anger go when someone acts with bad character and learn from it, spend an extra 5 minutes with your kids or your significant other.  As I reflect on that which I have accomplished in my own life, it is clear that my success was due to the many small modifications I made to my behavior, not one singular event or decision.  

And, all of those changes have gone on to impact many other people and areas of my life. 

Lastly, keep perspective.  The world is not ending.  Focus on what is truly import and of value in your life.  When faced with confusion or what seems misleading, focus on what you can control, however small.  Those decisions will elicit real change, positive change.

Josh