“We are, all of us, creatures of habit, and

when the seeming necessity for schooling

ourselves in new ways ceases to exist, we

fall naturally and easily into the manner and

customs which long usage has implanted

ineradicably within us.”

Edgar Rice Burroughs

For your consideration….

We are all creatures of habits, some good and some bad. Habits make us comfortable. They make us feel stable and safe.

Our message today tells us that we create our habits. As the creators we can keep them, change them, eliminate them. and add new ones. We have a choice. We always have a choice.

The nature of habits is that we don’t give much thought to them. Today’s message wants us to think about the habits in our life and make conscious decisions on whether to keep, change, eliminate or add new ones. The purpose is to create an energy conducive to growth and moving forward in purpose…on purpose.

We haven’t talked here about our “T-chart” in a long time. It is a handy tool and perfect for today’s exercise. Grab a piece of paper and make a big “T” on it. Label one side “good” and one side “improve/eliminate.” Be conscious of what we do throughout the day and put it where it goes on the chart.

T-charts are great because they are easy and they give us a great visual. Look at everything from waking and your morning routine to bedtime. Do you feel better with a morning shower or before bedtime one? If you don’t know, switch it up and try it. Do you eat a good breakfast? If not, try it. Do you exercise each day? If not, what can you do to incorporate it? Do you do meditate/pray? Do you do it at the same time each day? Does that work for you or not? Do you have a consistent bedtime? Should you? How much time do we spend on our phone, computer or the internet? Does it improve our relationships or hinder them?

You get the picture. It is our ordinary habits we are looking at and deciding if we need to change them. The clear message about today’s message is that we can change habits we don’t like or replace them with new. Habits that work for us can be expanded. We just have to decide what we want to do.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…..

-Affirm…“I am loved.”

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?” Or ask that what you have decided is guided for its highest good.

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Consider your habits.

What made me smile yesterday….

-A beautiful morning snorkeling.

-A perfect afternoon sitting by the water reading.

-A long long walk ending with a great dinner at a new restaurant at sunset time.

-A viber call with Alex.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris