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Does it ever seem like your problems are on repeat? New versions of the same ordeal? Let’s get past that once and for all.
Recently a friend asked, “Why does this keep happening to me?” And it reminded me of a great line.
Paulo Cohelo’s book, The Alchemist, has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. In it, the story’s sage says, “Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.” Now at first, this seems a lunatic statement, the second line negating the first. Until you begin to grasp the author’s meaning. It’s about perspective.
Every moment and circumstance is original if you look closely enough to see nuance and beauty. But if you create a category of experience, you’ll always find further examples. And, I advocate both approaches.
Live your life as if every moment is unique and full of possibility. Be present in interactions and experiences.
And guide your life, identifying recurring patterns. Learn and implement the lessons they teach. To fail in this continuing to do what you’ve always done, expecting different results, has been coined the “definition of insanity.”
So why won’t we? Is it soothing victimhood? Or crushing reality? Sometimes they can be hard to distinguish, and I certainly won’t judge you, but here are some possibilities to consider.
On some level, your problems serve you, providing a convenient excuse or comfortingly familiar dysfunction.
You haven’t sufficiently suffered or become motivated to change.
You’re complicit in someone else’s pattern.
You’re scared.
To get out of the loop, we must disrupt the pattern by doing something different. Not perfect. But boldly different. This may mean speaking what has been unspoken. Asking for help. Doing what you know is necessary. Accepting responsibility and rejecting blame entirely.
That’s scary. And beautiful. And notice how it takes you into the first line of the quote. “Everything that happens once can never happen again.” Step into a brave, original moment, just once, to create new possibilities, and you might just discover a whole new category of positive change. I hope that helps. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.
The audio for this week’s coaching video is located under the “Get Inspired” tab in the Positive Playlist . You can subscribe to the podcast and listen to other weekly messages for improving all aspects of your life. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.
