The will and strength to form good habits are the same as is used to form a bad habit. The power and desire to do something (that becomes habit) comes ironically from repeatedly doing the act first done, over and over again, (one act at a time), just like any bad habit! This is better than just intellectual reasoning about the habit alone, (which knowing it is good, we often still don’t do, or knowing it is bad we often still do. This is because the human condition is just that..human conditioning….
If this is so we could simply try to replace bad habits by choosing its counter habits to increasingly repeat it until the desire and will to do and maintain something is so overpowering it leads to action. We can also use it to form good habit ..one good act at a time. Never give up trying because we have such a great deal more untapped ability than we yet know.
WILL POWER – NOT AN UNLIMITED RESOURCE BUT A RENEWABLE ENERGY
I acknowledge that can achieve because if have achieved goals in the past, and I ask myself as to why the differential success, given all I know? Well, we often think of ‘will-power’ and that it is better at times than others, and this is true. I have a stronger will at certain times of the day I notice. I always start the day well. The image shows me in the morning. If I could just transport that power to the latter end of the day!. Actually, I discovered that willpower is not an unlimited resource and should be used wisely, just like any other resource. Just as I have just so much energy for the day and cannot go on for ever and need downtime. In terms of willpower, I begin to recognize that I likewise need downtime and to refresh. Even a strong man cannot maintain a power pose all day!!!
I begin to recognize that I need a top up my will so to speak. Put down the load, stop the struggle, and to tap again into the source of my strength and will. In this state of reflection, I recognize my limitations (and this is good by the way). I surrender to the fact that I need rest, I surrender to the fact that I need respite. I take time out to rejuvenate! Recharge my spiritual battery, recognizing that all that power within me comes from a source. I simply have to go and plug in or tune in to the source.
SUGGESTION: Pick a time of day part way through (several if you need) to check for fatigue and to rejuvenate, rather than trying to hold out until the end of the day without rest. Meditate
MEDITATION ON STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS: As I begin to relax, I try to focus my mind on why I want to master a particular habit or chosen behavior. Although my mind can be powerful, I know that I am not just my mind. Both my mind and of my body belongs to and is part of a greater whole. I the soul, can observe how my body feels, and I can observe how my mind thinks. I can also recognize who I am, my origins from God and therefore my divine potential. I am a miraculous creation, created from the divine source that forged both the capacity of my mind, the strength of my body that same source that formed the universe. I was made of and from the strength of that great love, and I can look to that same source of love and strength now that sustains and keeps me effortlessly now. As I tap into and rest in this knowledge and perfect stillness and peace. I begin to realize that all struggle can cease, and I that I am safe right now and completely accepted. As part of all things I am completely loved and completely understood and so I can relax with myself. I can surrender just as a drop of water is at home in a body of water. There is no need for explanation who an what I am. That is perfectly clear and I am a part of the source supporting and sustaining and connected to the source of endless power. I can rest. Recognize that all the work is done. The fight fought and won by God himself. I just need to do my part. My part is that I simply to realize this, and surrender to the renewing power of my soul existence, one with all creation. I allow all that goodness and Love that rules the universe without any effort on my part to sustain me now. I am in no hurry to leave that love, I rest in it as apart of it, I am eternal and a part of this eternal and sustaining existence. As such I can let go of any struggle and any resistance since there is nothing to do. I can simply be and simply rest. (long pause)
When I am ready to finish my meditation, when I am ready to resume my daily walk, when I am ready to let the concerns of the day resume, I remind myself that I don’t need to resume worry. I can simply take this love and peace and reassurance with me. Glad to be reminded and content in the knowledge that the peace remains here within me, that it has always been within me and that it will always be here for me. I can return here often whenever I wish to re-energize and to recharge, and each time I take a little more of it with me into my daily consciousness and daily walk.
I can let my thoughts of the day return knowing that as part of God, a part of his creation, I have access to the source of all power. I begin to recognize that all I have to do is to surrender my will and in recognizing this power to do all things is within me. I realize that I only need to tap into that source frequently and regularly in order to remember my divine potential, to top up my spiritual battery. Here without fear, I know I just have to lean and to trust and to abide. I can practice this new understanding of the source of my strength and seek it and renew often until it is ever with me.
Gods goal is that 1st that I first surrender and learn and to become like him, full of love and understanding and all power and then full of that power. He wants dependence for strength and then to practice to walk strong just like any child. I begin to trust my self to him. I am learning to trust him. I am learning to love him, albeit selfishly, as I draw nearer to him because I am learning of his loves for me. I begin to understand the admonition of Paul recognizing therefore when I am weak, then am I strong. I begin to let go of the pride of achievement knowing I am strengthened rather than diminished by humility.