Rewiring your mind for lasting habit change: Becoming a super sleuth

In our last post, we began to rewire your mind for lasting habit change by noticing and becoming aware of where life dissatisfaction resides. We identified some preliminary ideas of where our lives may be “out of sync.” You can find that post here. In this post we begin to explore the idea of “rewiring your mind for lasting change” a little deeper, through one of the core-elements of changing the pattern; observation.

Compassionate and curious self-awareness is the first step toward change or improvement. Everyday we make decisions based on our values, beliefs, priorities, ideals, ethics, and so. But often we have inherited these qualities without realizing it or even choosing it. These inherited factors then become a central part of our character and create the road map by which we live our lives. We, therefore, unconsciously, follow a path that may not have been of our own creating. This is where that sense of disconnect comes in. We get this gnawing feeling that the path we are on just doesn’t feel right or we simply don’t feel like ourselves -perhaps anxious, worried, overwhelmed or depressed. This is because those learned patterns, buried deep in your subconscious, are running your choices on auto-pilot. But we can begin to bring these to the forefront…see them…and decide what’s working and what is not.

Experiences of our past, as well as our thoughts, feelings, and responses toward these experiences, often are the beginnings to habits or patterns that continue throughout our lives. These patterns can be helpful or hurtful. The larger picture, however, is that we often do not see the patterns or cycles we have become entrenched in.

Throughout our childhood we have been taught and taken on “family roles” and ideals that we may continue to play out all of our lives unless we pause to look at these for ourselves, -or are forced to take a look at it through hardships or difficult life circumstances that are thrust upon us. These roles or ideals may have served a function or greater purpose at the time, but later in life become problematic. We feel stuck or caged in by these unknown forces. We may attempt to change the patterns, but for some reason feel pulled right back into the cycle. To begin to step out of this patterns we first must identify or simply become consciously aware of them.

To begin our inquiry let’s consider your roots – your lineage, ancestry, values, or beliefs that you have experienced in your environment, or world around you, even as a child. Sometimes it’s only by digging up the past that we can understand our present to move forward in our future. Your roots can inform how you show up and move through the world. The following narrative therapy has been revamped from the works of Ncazelo Ncube of REPSSI and David Denborough (Dulwich Centre Foundation).

Reflect & Record: Curiously consider the following...

• *What type of culture did you grow up in?
• *Were there cultural expectations that you saw demonstrated or expected of you?
• *What was your family like?
• *How about your neighborhood and school -what was valued or deemed important?
• *What values in life/priorities/ethics did you see demonstrated?
• *What values or mind-set or beliefs do you continue to live by?
• *Are these beliefs truly important to you, or were they thrust upon you by someone else?
• *What is important to you now?
• *Are there any cultural, heritage, or family traditions that you let go of that are actually important to you?

So now, considering your results from the life satisfaction scale (from the last post) and what you have uncovered regarding your ancestral roots, are you beginning to see any discrepancies between the current version of yourself -perhaps developed by your past- and who you want to be? What is no longer working for you?

In conclusion of this digging and reflecting take a moment to honor your ancestors. Your ancestors are the roots that shaped your identity and world view. They have given rise to your values and beliefs. You can embrace them, learn from them, accept them, or adapt them. It’s now your opportunity to take these insights to enrich your life, broaden your horizons, or even branch out to create your own identity.

Rewiring Your Mind For Lasting Habit Change: Super Sleuth Conclusion

Congratulation! You have just completed another step in identifying who you are, who you want to become next, and are beginning to craft the the next best version of yourself! Don’t miss the next post that will continue to rewire your lifestyle habits.

If you would like more information about what we do, how we can help, and programs we offer visit our website at changingthepattern.com. To become a part of an authentic well-being group join us at theartofnourishedliving.com or use the contact button above.

I’ll see you at the next edition!