Nobody Chooses Change (But We Must)

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To head in the direction we want our lives to go, we have to go through change. Sometimes even multiple times, as we find our footing in the world. Change however, is far from an easy process. It might not always feel good in the moment, but if one doesn't change, things will always be stagnant. There will never be growth if there isn't change. Choosing it is a process that requires hard work and here are 5 tips to work into your daily thought patterns to help the progress toward positive change.

1. Redefining Optimism
Not a static principle or emotion, Optimism changes with different situations. However, the one thing optimism consistently provides is the will to continue to survive. Optimism itself, changes situationally. Say for example, you could be dealing with personal tragedy such as family death or a big professional setback. The main idea is to face the issue without giving into doubt and despair, and remain optimistic, no matter how severe the issue might be. Optimism needs to be redefined - where you believe that you WILL get through a time of turmoil, no matter what.

2. Embracing Weakness
Weakness is something that no one wants to admit. For most people, weakness means defeat. From childhood into adulthood, we have this perception that weakness is something that is unacceptable and needs to be eradicated. In reality, it is NOT. An essential part of change is accepting powerlessness and a huge part of successfully changing your life is to accept your journey in all its facets, which includes your weaknesses. Because following this would be self forgiveness, optimism and surrounding yourself with trusted people who only have your best interests at heart - and this is key to reaching your full potential.

3. Realizing that Perspective is Relative
Another important aspect of choosing change is the realization that perspective is relative and dependent on context. This means that you have to reorder your entire worldview, and though this might be painful, the outcome can be bountiful. For example, after taking a mission trip to Africa, a travel blogger changes her perspective on what's important in everyday life: seeing the difference between the complaints of privileged people, which now seemed petty, and the struggles of the poor in another nation. Seeing this led her change in her perspective on the world, seeing things in a completely revised way - even though nothing, except her perspective, has changed. Perspective, though intangible, is a powerful thing. While you may not be able to control certain things that happen in the world or in your life, you're always holding the reins of your own perspective.

4.Details have a big impact
As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Change also comes in small doses and focusing on daily small moments of happiness can play just as huge a role in change as major life decisions. When you start to 'make the smaller things count', it is easy to establish a baseline of happiness. This baseline can act as a sort of foundation, so that when you hit the highs and lows in your life, the center line is comprised of positivity and hope, rather than just a flat line at a neutral emotional state once each rise or dip ends.

5. Registering Thoughts and Realigning Emotions
Similar to weakness, we often lock negative thoughts away at the back of this mental drawer, stashing away the key somewhere, hoping to never find it. We choose to not let our emotions hit us at all. However, this isn't productive in the least bit. It is crucial to recognize and validate your own thoughts, and understand how they make you feel - mentally and physically. It is then we can learn and realign our thoughts, and our lives, in a more positive fashion. (Thoughts aren't just memories and/or ideas, they result in actual intangible emotions.)

Rewriting your own life narrative is never easy, it requires self questioning and the assessing of your own behaviors. However, once you're on the right track, it can feel extremely rewarding knowing that "this is meant to be" and "this is where you are meant to go".