Four Questions That Will Change Your Life on Yahoo! Health

If you're like me, you hate change. But I have found that change is important, perhaps even essential, for good living. A very smart friend once told me, "People are like plants; they need repotting every few years."

So let's talk about changing our lives. I would like you to consider changing one significant thing in your life this year...just one single thing, big or small. Maybe it is something you've wanted to do for a long time or the first step in moving toward a new goal. Let's look at the process of change through a series of questions.

What broken behavior would you have to give up to change?
My readers are familiar with the phrase broken behaviors: bad habits that we are unwilling to give up. These can range from greed and arrogance to laziness and selfishness. When I have settled into some routine that makes me unhappy but I unwilling to change, it usually involves broken behaviors. If I hate my job but am unwilling to give it up, I might be lazy. If I want a new career but think I shouldn't have to work for it, I might be arrogant. If I don't treat my spouse with kindness but stay in the relationship, I might be selfish. Change often means giving up these behaviors.

How would changing my life change how I see myself?
When we mix things up in life and start anew, we also have to examine how we see ourselves. For example, if I identify myself with my job, I will have to reinvent myself when I change careers. We all have a soul - our passions, beliefs, deep desires - that have little to do with the external world. When we change, we are forced to reconcile our true selves with the way we lead our lives.

What would my life be like if I were not ruled by fear?
Fear makes us resistant to change. If I lived my life trusting that I was going to be OK and listening to my inner voice, I would have achieved many of the goals that have evaded me for years. Unfounded fears can poison our lives if we let them.

Why am I afraid to change?
For me, I become afraid when I neglect the spiritual part of my life that helps me feel cared for and protected. A spiritual life is found in organized religion for some but, for many others, it simply involves helping other people, spending time in nature, and connecting with activities that bring a sense of true self-worth. When I maintain a spiritual aspect to my life, change seems much less frightening because I know that my life has purpose.

It would be great to hear from you about a change you would like to make in your life and how you answer these questions as you begin your journey.