Good Habits / Bad Habits

Man is a creature of habit. The inherent need to establish routines in life is inescapable. Habits create structure. Structure creates a sense of well being. Having a degree of structure in life gives you the security of having something you can rely on. In a grounded environment; one with certain non-variable elements, you are suited to face the unstable, yet inevitable challenges of daily life with confidence and strength.

Anchoring behaviors can be building blocks for positive living.
Regular mealtimes
Work schedules
Group of family scheduled recurring activities
Private reading/sports/hobbies

Or During stressful times of uncertainty, they may be crippling crutches!
Comfort eating
Substance abuse
Impulse spending

Cherished, yet possibly injurious to our health and happiness we subconsciously depend on the feelings of familiarity associated with these crippling crutches. We may even find ourselves helplessly at the mercy of our “vices” when facing stress. Many times our circumstances plunge us into a life of uncertainty or instability. During those times, habits (which are very reliable and secure to us) may be our only security and comfort, regardless of whether they are good or bad.

It is vital to recognize bad habits and not dismiss them with an attitude of "well I'm just that way". As we start to understand why we do some of the things that are less attractive, we can begin to work toward recovery from the grip they have on us.

If you have struggled with gripping habits and desire to be freed from them, there are several things to do.

1. Adopt an atitude of awareness that you can escape the things that grip you.
2. Begin to develop good habits to replace bad ones.
3. Remove as many triggers to the bad behaviors as possible.
4. Get outside support to assist you.
5. Utilize faith in a higher power!

Determine to keep getting back up and trying again every time you fail. Look at each "fall" as a learning opportunity. The difference between success and failure is often a matter of perspective.

Failure says, "I can not."
Success says, "How will I do this? Why did I fall? What shall I try next?"