‘Change Is Not A Bolt Of Lightning That Arrives With A Zap’

“Change is not a bolt of lightning that arrives with a zap. It is a bridge built brick by brick, every day, with sweat and humility and slips. It is hard work, and slow work, but it can be thrilling to watch it take shape.” — Sarah Hepola

Photo by Potapov Alexander (Shutterstock).

Perhaps the most exciting part of change is deciding that you want it. The moment overwhelms you, and you feel so sure that you’re going to make things better for yourself — that you’re going to solve the problem you’ve always wanted to solve. The first few days are great. Sometimes even a week or two feels progressive. Then time sets in, and your momentum slows. All that excitement and energy you had in the moment is gone and you’re left with the reality that change is hard work. You’re not seeing progress fast enough. You keep looking for it, but it doesn’t seem to be there. It may be. It’s too soon to tell, but you’re feeling impatient. You’re at a crossroads. You either quit or you don’t.

If you’ve ever tried to change something in your life, you’re most likely familiar with that experience. The quotation leading this post is one from Sarah Hepola, who pushed past it and saw how amazing positive change can be. The decision is easy. It’s even exciting. It’s the prolonged effort and lost momentum that isn’t. Ignore the doubt and the frustration. It gets much better.

My Relapse Years [Salon via Swissmiss]