Celebrations With Grace

“Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.”

Spring is a time that we clean the house. We remove all the cobwebs and dust bunnies.
The clothes closet gets sorted. The heavy winter coats put away. The light spring clothes come out. We look forward to a new season and new changes in our lives.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

A habit is something you can do without thinking - which is why most of us have so many of them.  ~Frank A. Clark

The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.  ~Somerset Maugham

Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.  ~Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar for 1894

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character. – Stephen Covey

Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones. – Benjamin Franklin

Years ago when the western U.S. was being settled, roads were often just wagon tracks. These rough trails posed serious problems for those who journeyed on them. On one of these winding paths was posted a sign which read: “Avoid this rut or you’ll be in it for the next 25 miles!”

Most of us realize that we have flaws, and bad habits. Short lived even though well intentioned. This list of warts, our faults, our bad habits: losing weight, stop smoking, exercising more, going to church every Sunday, relaxing more, keeping the dishes done, cleaning up after ourselves. Etc.
These require a lot of effort. Trying to make lots of changes at one time seems overwhelming.

It is so much easier to find fault with others.
Knowing this is true, think of how our friends and family must feel about us. What do we do that really bugs them.

I believe that working to change all of our flaws, our warts, our bad habits at one time is too hard.

I would suggest that we be honest with ourselves and just work on one aspect at a time. Make a list. And then ask good friends or family, what on your list bugs them the most. They may mention something you did not think of. Such as not letting them finish a sentence, or eating and talking with your mouth full, or???

Take their feedback into account and then work on just one habit at a time.
Keep tract of your progress in a note pad. Every time you find yourself slipping back into old patterns write it down. After time the list, the slip ups should become less and less. When the pages become blank, you have changed a habit.
Now is the time to tackle the next item on your list.

I do not believe that your notebook will ever be without notes of faults. We are not perfect. I do believe that with God’s help. With prayer every day we can improve ourselves and in turn our relationships with others.

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, 

If you can resist complaining and  boring people with your troubles, 

If you can eat the same food every  day and be grateful for it, 

If you can understand when your loved  ones are too busy to give you any time, 

If you can take criticism and  blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension  without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,  

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, 

 …Then You Are Probably  The Family Dog!

I believe that we will never reach perfection. That by making some changes we will become a happier and better person. So do get out your paper and pen and get started.

A saying my Grandmother said “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth”. It is never too late to strive to become the person we want to be.

Peace and Blessings
Chaplain Grace

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