Do I really want to change?

I listened to a podcast of a friend's a few weeks ago and one statement he made caught my attention. It isn't a catchy phrase, but it is one that cause me to stop and think about it. I even went as far as writing it down and posting it on the wall by me here at work so that I could occasionally draw my attention to it.

"You've got to make changes if you want true change."


Yep. That's it. But does it ever hit home for me, and I am sure that it hits home for you. I was thinking about that phrase for some reason this morning on my way in to work. I'm driving down the highway and thinking about things I want to accomplish, things I want to change, things I want to clean up, etc. You know, the usual things that run through your mind when you are doing basically mindless driving. All of a sudden, in the midst of my thinking of things I would like to get done at home, the phrase pops into my mind.

"You've got to make changes if you want true change."

Hmmm. So, I'm taking that it means that if I really want my closets cleaned out like I was thinking about, I need to change how I put my clothes in the closet and start putting them in order, take out what I don't wear anymore (and I've heard that if you haven't worn it in two years - you won't - so get rid of it), and arrange it how I want it. Sounds simple enough. And I always think about doing it - and sometimes I actually get started - but I don't make the changes I want so it remains the same.

I guess one could also apply that to weight loss. If I really want to lose the extra 30 pounds I've gained over the years, I need to stop eating cookies and candy and start using portion control when it comes to eating my meals. Even salads can add up calories - especially if you load it with ranch dressing! Did you know that you can create a healthy salad and ruin it by putting a cup of dressing on top of it? It's ok to have dressing - but use portion control if you want to lose weight. Why eat salad if you are going to kill it with dressing?

Another thing that came to mind as I drove in was how we let ego and pride control us, control our finances, control our friends, control us. yeah, I know, already said that. We won't do some things if it doesn't cost enough. (HUH?) We allow our desire to have things override reason and reality, and let our ego take over when we fail. We all know people in that category, and I would probably have to admit I have fallen victim to ego at one time or another. Not for material things, but in doing things. Then I really feel humiliated and down on myself when I realize what I have done.

I don't have to have the biggest house. I don't have to have the most shoes. I don't have to have the most expensive car. I don't have to have diamonds and vacations. I don't have to have an abundance of cash. I don't have to have anything.

But Jesus. I will concede He is all that I need. I have to have Him. I can do without everything else. But just give me Jesus.

So, as I think about my messy drawer here at work, I think I am going to take the time to clean it out this morning and put it in order. I think I will put on my schedule for a time soon that I will truly go through my closets and remove those items that I don't wear anymore and donate them. I think I will work on my calendar and adjust it to enjoy the friendship and fellowship of other people more often. I think I don't need any new clothes right now, although I keep getting these sale ads .... just because it is on sale doesn't mean I need to go buy it.

I may still need to think about the eating part. I enjoy that a lot. But I'm getting better. A co-worker brought in pozole yesterday. I had never had it before - and it was very good! I checked out the calories and it is actually low in calories. That surprised me. Spicy, but very good. See, I don't always eat cookies.

So I've decided on some things (even not listed here) that I want to work on, to change. And only I can make those changes, true changes. What about you? What do you think about that statement? Do you feel you need to make some changes in your life? Let's work on it together!

Blessings!