Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself - Leo Tolstoy  

Yes, it is a tendency we all harbour. We are quick to notice how incorporating change will be of benefit to others, yet are loath to turn the same critical eye on ourselves. Contrary to expectation we have a love-hate relationship with change. We desire and fear change simultaneously. This is peculiar, given that our whole life is based, yes, steeped, in ongoing change. So much so, that it is said to be the only certainty in life. So why the general reticence with regard to change? Especially since change mostly heralds the arrival of expected progress. It is a natural and logical movement emulated everywhere in nature. This innate avoidance boils down to fear. Yes, fear, which to be honest has no bite yet it is the most insidious emotion second to none, as fear is not based on an actuality but a supposition. Fear is an emotion based on something that we dread “may” happen, yes you read right, no certainty there, but only a may happen. Yet this 4-letter word has stolen more treasures from humanity as it inevitably freezes our ability to act, to do, to create. No weaponry exist that is its equal. 

Why? Because it is a mind creature, and since everything is mental, well, no further explanation is needed, you get it, you understand its power. Yes, the very thing that makes it so powerful is also its undoing. Let me explain, you can destroy fear in a millisecond if you decide to take charge of your mental faculties. Fear cannot exist if you do not allow it entry into your mind sanctum. So, now that we understand the power of fear, we can disarm it and welcome change into our lives like an old friend. In doing so we can reap its power to ensure our ongoing momentum in creating and living our best lives.  Change sometimes gets a bad rap and it is often undeserved. Aim to become a fan of change and open yourself up to the endless, new possibilities. Instead of being loathed it should be warmly embraced and used for good, for your good. Be honest and admit how fear has robbed you on many occasions of living your best life, stolen moments that could have been life altering, but because fear interjected loud whispers of “you may fail”, “you may be rejected”, and so forth, you caved and did nothing. Take charge and invite change to supersize your life, today. 

Yes, be the change you wish to see is sound advice. So why is the world not filled with fully actualized people. Well, it is because they let fear stop them, it is difficult to tolerate the uncertainty that accompanies change as the outcome is not guaranteed, it is an unknown. Hence the preceding lesson on fear. You have to be fearless to enact the necessary changes to become the best version of yourself. Change requires courage, willpower and the stamina to see it through to the end. Remember it is a lifelong process as further upgrades will need to be incorporated as your life journey unfolds. 

Take note that the only thing that you can be certain of improving is your own self. The precursor for enacting change in oneself is to really know and accept who you are now. Only then can you initiate change. Your mindset is the determining factor of how well you do in life, as it helps you in creating the changes you desire. Your mindset is your best tool in creating a life that you want and desire. Mindfulness, meditation, affirmations and gratitude practices are mindset tools that will enable you to supersize your life. These practices will keep you grounded in your authentic self and help you to create positive outcomes that will allow you to level up and become fully actualized. 

I hope that the following quotes will inspire you on your journey of self-discovery:  

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new - Socrates 

Yes, remember that the old is done and dusted so it is better to rather concentrate your focus on getting the new built which will usher in change. Fighting the old is just a distraction and waste of energy, rather harness the energy to bring in the new. Close the door on the past once you have assimilated the life lessons and focus on the present, the only time space where you can action change.  

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop - Confucius 

The never giving up is the attitude that gets you through life. When life knocks you down, no matter how many times you need to get up and get going every time, staying down is not an option. Our will to live doesn’t allow us to quit on life, thus our fighting spirit gets us up every time to continue our life's journey, forever onwards. Life requisites continuous onward progress and our soul, pull and pushes us ever forward. 

If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello - Paulo Coello 

If you are courageous enough to leave behind all that is familiar, to go into the unknown, then yes, you will be rewarded as life values courage. You will enjoy the reward of starting afresh, which is quite freeing as you're not held back by the customs and expectation of the familiar. You have the opportunity to reinvent yourself, your lifestyle and seize new opportunities.  

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible - St. Francis of Assisi 

This is an excellent methodology to follow when you feel overwhelmed by life’s demands and don’t know where to start. No, it is not saying just start anywhere, instead it is focusing your attention to what is essential to getting the project off the ground. Starting with what ‘s necessary is quite apt because when you do that you are completing the first step of getting the project going. Continuing with what is possible, does get the job done, step by step, and yes, before you know it, everything is sorted. What appeared to be impossible became possible following this simple but effective methodology  

If someone tells you ‘you can't’ they're showing you their limits, not yours - Anonymous 

Yes, you need to follow your intuition if you want to turn your dreams into a reality. Do not listen to naysayers but stay true to your vision. People feel uncomfortable when you do not adhere to the status quo, that is, you do not conform to their expectations. So, like a crab, they are trying to pull you back into the bucket, to maintain their normal. We are not limited; we are as limitless as our imagination. Simple fact is there is no limits 

 You must be the change you wish to see in the world - Gandhi