You cannot remain who you are, if you want to change
We cannot become what we want by
remaining what we are.
- Max Dupree
Change is hard. No one changes without struggle. Most people would prefer that their lives be governed by order and comfort. We like our lives to run easy. We love being in control and having a sense of predictability. The problem with this form of thinking is that it contradicts our dreams and aspirations. The greater the dream, the greater one must suffer to obtain it. There is no motivation to grow while remaining in comfort. You need stress and resistance if you expect to evolve. A gardener hoping for a plant to grow while keeping it in a small pot is fooling themselves. The plant will not grow if its roots are confined. It will not grow beyond what the pot confines it to. Uproot that same plant and transfer it to the open earth and that plant will grow indefinitely.
We are problem-solving beings. To become what we want we must solve a problem. You do not become an expert pianist by remaining a novice. You do not become an adult by remaining a child. A change in thought and skill must take place. Often that change is the result of struggle. Most people don’t think about driving a car. They just drive. It’s a habit that comes with practice and it’s as natural as walking. To a new driver it feels intimidating. But in time they gradually gain the experience to demonstrate that skill. They become someone new.
Change can only happen if we enter unfamiliar territory. When we encounter the unknown and overcome resistance. Our greatest challenge is letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs about what we can accomplish. When this happens, we leave behind who we were and become who we desire to be. We master new knowledge and find creative ways make it useful in our lives.
The Scriptures say that for a seed to
grow it must die. It’s sown in one form and transformed into another. A tiny seed
can grow into a large fruit bearing tree. The same thing takes place when we
have an idea or vision. One small thought can evolve into a life changing
business, product or work of art. Apostle Paul makes this same connection in
1Cor 3:15 making the case that he dies daily and is forever growing in Christ. Change
happens through the application of new ideas and information. When old thoughts
and beliefs are shed you no longer remain the same. You become a new person,
walking in a new reality.
Apostle Steve Green
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