Actually Wanting Things to Change

"Your home is always so clean! I could never keep mine looking like that." It's a comment I have heard many times before, too many to count. But instead of sounding to me like the compliment I am sure many have meant it, I hear instead the judging, complaining, listless, wondering how come things just come so easily for me tone that comes with such a statement. 

The truth is, it's not always so clean and it's not magic. It doesn't just happen because I walked around a little today nor does it come about because I secretly slave away all night before someone is due to come over. This sense of "clean and comfortable" that I have tried to reach for many years has come about because of trying - and not giving up. I have intentionally envisioned my life, how I wanted to feel in my home and how I wanted others to feel. I have envisioned my children and their role in the home and I have known that children can be taught to help and clean IF I was willing to put in the effort to teach them and set up some routines and systems in our lives. 

Saying you want things to change and actually wanting things to change are different. We can always say how much we want something or how great life would be if it were different for us in one way or another. But actually wanting things to change is different. When you truly want something, you go for it. You don’t hesitate on the sidelines continuing to watch things go on as before, but you jump into your life and make some changes.

Are you always going to know exactly how to make things happen? Of course not. Will you always know exactly what to do each moment to get you to where you want to be? No! But when you want things to change, you are mentally and emotionally invested in the change and desire to work at making the change happen. You will not stop trying to reach your goal. 

First, sort out your true goals, dreams and wants from things that others want. If someone is always telling you what they want, but not actually doing anything about it, chances are they just like to talk. Do not just pick up what someone else is talking about just because it is something to dream about. Discover your own dreams and goals for the next week, month, year, 5 years, 10 years and beyond.

Second, begin today. If you want to read all the classics or retire at an early age, what can you do today to push you towards that goal? Write it down, hang up a picture, and take one step forward. It may not seem like a big deal, but each little step you take on a daily basis towards something you want is a step in the right direction. In achieving ANY goal, it is the seemingly "little" things we consistently do day after day that make all the difference. 

Third, decide that you are ready to give up other things now to achieve your goals for later. If you truly want something you will be willing to give up something of more instant gratification. It will not be easy, but you will make the decision based on your goal of something better. Whether it’s time, money, food or something else, identify the thing that is holding you back and choose to let it’s grasp on you go. 

It is not a fairy godmother, a magic potion or something completely attainable for some but not others. When you desire something enough to work at it on a daily and consistent basis, you too can see the joy and satisfaction that daily actions done every day towards a specific desire or goal can bring. And of course there will be some delayed gratification along the way because a person cannot simply do everything all the time.