I recently discovered that I had a list of things I thought I shouldn't have to do. I guess that isn't a life-changing discovery. We all have things we would rather not do. Hopefully, continuing to read this blog post isn't one of yours. What was a life-changing discovery, however, was my list was keeping me from doing the things I most wanted to do. Maybe, just maybe, you have a list that is frustrating your attempts at meaningful change, too.
Since being healed of ulcerative colitis and allergies and having freedom to eat anything, I gained a few pounds. Maybe more than a few. Thankfully my friends and family didn't notice. Or they didn't say anything. They may have been afraid to. I've been having some issues with PMS as I've mentioned.
Anyway, I attempted to return to my ideal weight on numerous occasions during the past two years to no avail. When a good friend recommended I read the Beck Diet book, I finally understood what the problem was. I thought I shouldn't have to change the way I ate in order to lose weight. In the moment I came to that realization, I could imagine Dr. Phil snickering, "And how's that workin' for ya?" Gee, Dr., not very well!
I understood why I had come to have the eat-all-you-want-and-still-lose-weight mentality (something I will explain in a future blog post), but I was honestly horrified that I felt that way. I would certainly mock anyone else who had that belief and yet expected results (at least mentally). The amazing consequence of my realization was that I lost the weight I gained. Fast.
I was delighted with the results of a simple change in thinking, but my success had me thinking even more. What other changes was I unable to make as a result of my "I Shouldn't Have To" List? Here are some other prominent items on my list:
- I shouldn't have to promote my blog or book to get readers
- I shouldn't have to stick to the schedule to get everything done
- I shouldn't have to check my kids' chores for them to get done properly
Here are some other popular I Shouldn't Have To's:
- I shouldn't have to pray/read the Bible/go to church to grow spiritually
- I shouldn't have to get up early to work out/get caught up/have quiet time
- I shouldn't have to give up something to save money or have free time
I could go on, but I shouldn't have to. :-) Hopefully, you get the idea and you are already thinking about what's on your list. Remember that you really don't have to do anything you don't want to do. But neither will you get the results you want.
You don't have to, but I would love to hear what's on your list. Any aha moments?
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