“Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own; now they own you.” – Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
Welcome to February. This week a friend and I were discussing the things that are truly important to us. We watched a thirteen month old child experience the world around him as we conversed. His seemingly random facial expressions caught my eye. After a few more minutes, it became obvious his expressions were deliberate because he was living in the moment. He flipped through his picture book and would stop on a page that seemed the most interesting, as he took in the page, laughter and happy noises that only an infant can express followed.
Our conversation quickly moved to why it is such a challenge for us to live in the moment. I was able to recognize the distractions that have developed because I would just do them. Do I really need to check my Facebook every 10 minutes? Nope! Do I really need to check my phone for texts every 5 minutes even when my ringer is on? Probably not!
This simple conversation, which was interrupted due to the curious young man “inspecting” electrical outlets, made me really start to look at my life. I have some practices that serve me and some that I serve. I know today that through honest analysis and simple action these habits that have turned to rituals can be let go of. When, I am not a prisoner of mindless habits I can experience true freedom.
Affirmation: Today I am free to choose actions that serve my greatest good.
Call to Action: Look at your life and determine one habit that you would love to release. Share this with a friend and have them hold you accountable for one week on your road to freedom.
Copyright © 2011-2012, Change Your Life Friday. All Rights Reserved.
Change Your Life Friday 
I let go of my subscription to the Sunday newspaper. That is a habit that I have had for most of my adult life. It had become too routine, too mundane and took precious time that I wanted to devote to my focus for 2012. The papers would sit on the table for several days because it didn’t interest me enough to finish it on Sunday. It might sound small, but it felt freeing just to say that I no longer need this in my life. It was part of the process that I began in January of examining everything that I do and asking myself if it still fit in the life I am creating. I started this process after your original post and I appreciate the call to action. Keep up the good work.
RecognizeTheLesson,
Thank you for sharing your freedom from the Sunday newspaper!
Have a great one,
-Change Your Life Friday
I have a lot of things that I would like to give up, but cursing is something I really don’t feel like is at all necessary to my life. It makes me feel bad when I do it, especially when I can’t control it in bad situations. I talked with a friend about this, and through the use of the “dollar in a jar” technique, I will try to have this nasty habit removed. I plan on paying off credit cards with the cash I acculmulate over the next week.
Thanks for the site!
Keith,
Thank you for sharing your plans to free yourself from cursing.
Good luck with the payoff,
-Change Your Life Friday
Yet again your post is exactly what I need to hear. I have a horrible habit of jumping into relationships to distract myself from the things in life I don’t want to find the time for. By being in unfulfilling immature relationships I keep myself from pursuing those things in life that truly give me joy. Can’t wait for next week!
Much love
Rae,
Your contribution to the site is great. The freedom from relationships that do not serve us is a true gift.
Welcome home,
-Change Your Life Friday
So many one liners of wisdom in this post… ‘Practices that serve me or that I serve’,’ prisoner of mindless habits’, ‘greatest good’… For the next week I will be doing a social media and texting fast. It has already proven to be a challenge as it is so ingrained in me. It makes me wonder how my obsession affects my children and their perception of technology’s place in our lives… Last night in the middle of talking to my son, I received a text message and immediately picked it up and looked at it 😦 He called me out, “Moooom?! I’m talking to you and your not listening!” I felt terrible, nothing is more important than my 8 year old son telling me that at school he learned the difference between reflection and refraction.
With only 5 hours into this fast, I already feel detached and less mentally cluttered. Everything is just a little quieter in my brain. Thanks for this weeks C2A
Only Love
OmNamah,
I know your mental clutter has desolved more each day of the fast. It is a gift for us to hear how important your relationship with your family is.
Hear is to a quiet mind,
-Change Your Life Friday
Yes! Letting go of the distractions like smart phones and TV are among my goals for living better. It is convicting to think of the moments that I have missed with my loved ones because I decided that social networks were more important.