I've been involved in self help and change for a long time, and one thing I've learned that has surprised me is how many people there are who think they want change but who really want more to hold onto their excuses for not making change. It's as if they seriously believe something is keeping them from changing, so they're "safe" and "off the hook," and they'll go on and on about what it is that is preventing them from changing. If I try to penetrate that belief, all I get is resistance, protest, and eventually rejection--the person will eliminate ME from her life before she'll eliminate the problem she loves to complain about but "can't" change. I'm sure we all know people like that, but it still surprises me.
I like your "new perspective" idea, Holly. Sometimes I sit in another chair in a room in my house just to force myself to see the room (and life) differently. Maybe it's that inner willingness to force ourselves to keep our perspective fresh that helps us be more fluid with making changes in our lives?
Barbara
