Welcoming Change To Choose Who You Will Be

It is now a pleasure to propose an action that surely will be considered positive. 

Luke, to whom you have already been introduced, was more than a little resntful that age was forcing him to change. He liked who he was better than the vision of the man he was to be in the future. But, Luke was intelligent to know that it is fruitless to fight the natural course of life so he accepted the fact tht he was never going to be the man he used to be. 

The happy part of this seemingly sad story is that there is a happy ending for Luke.
It was, for Luke a surprisinly happy ending. While he continued to go downhill, he found he was becoming happier. "How could this be?", he thougt. "I'm worse but happier." The easiest part to understand about this strange situation was that Luke didin't have to be so perfect. He didn't have to hide or disguise his increasing mistakes and small failures. He even realized that if he ever had a large failure he could even survive that. Actually it was a little exciting to become more fallible man than not having to be the same super person he was known to be. 

The best part however, was the reaction of his wife and children. How could he have known they actually now liked him more when he was not so perfect? They said he seemed relaxed and was able to laugh more or at least, laugh at himself! 

It might seem paradoxical, but perhaps those who most are satisfied with their present identity are also those who most welcome change in their identity. 
The truth of this may be seen in the converse where those who have disstatisfaction with their present identity seem to be those who are most defensive and protective of themselves and most fearful of change. 
 However, how much you want to change is an important question for it does have direct applications for what will happen to you in your relationships. If you don't want to change then it is likely that your eventual change will be different than what you want even though you may try to prevent it. 
But, if you welcome change in your identity, then you can have a more active role in determining the direction and amount of change. Remember, whether you like it or not, you will change. 

   The essential point of all this is that by welcoming change, you have a better chance in participating and creating your future identity which will of course, be different anyway than what it is today. These considerations may influence your answer to how much you do welcome, accept, and want personal change.       

BELIEF SEVEN: ALWAYS CHOOSE, “WHAT IS THE GOOD THING TO DO.

If you see the word ‘always’ in a true and false test you should answer false. But I am going to use it here because it is a wonderful guide for becoming a better person.  In fact it is the single most important tool for becoming the best person you can be.  Therefore, more than anything else always chooses “What Is the Good Thing to Do” when seeking to change, grow, or become a better person. It is the concluding guide I leave with you.

Choosing what is the good thing to do will work because it is in synch with the natural you. It is both a choice and an action. By asking the question your conscience is activated and given a chance to inform you. Furthermore, if you use this choice to guide your life you will not only change but change towards being a more joyful and happy person. It is compatible with being loving, forgiving, responsible, non-judgmental, and putting others ahead of yourself.

If you are a religious person the question of “What is the Good Thing to Do?” is the same as asking, “What Would God Have Me Do?”  Regardless of how you ask the question you will be able to know what is good and true just at the moment of action when you need it. What more could you ask for when seeking self-improvement, self-change, and wanting to become a better person.



THOUGHT QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

                                      LESSON SEVEN

1. How strongly do I want to ask and choose, “What is the Good Thing to do?”

2. In what ways will I receive an answer when I ask this question?

3. By constantly using this question as a guide in my life what will happen to me?

4. Why is this question the same as asking, “What Would God Have Me Do?” for a religious person?

Indicate your feelings about the following statements:

5.  I should seek and welcome change.

6.  I am more than a body and brain but am also a spirit.

7.  I am a free agent that chooses what to do and be.

8.  I can directly know what is true and good by listening to my conscience.

9. I find my true identity and self by how I live with others.

10. I take personal responsibility for my happiness and what I am.

11. What is the most important thing I have learned from all seven of these readings and discussions?