God Habits Drives Out Bad Habits.

https://youtu.be/YaApRKw5oeM?si=exgBjp9ldTH_RLJ8

October 19th 

GOOD HABITS DRIVE OUT BAD HABITS “Since habit is such a powerful influence, and we’re used to pursuing our impulses to gain and avoid outside our own choice, we should set a contrary habit against that, and where appearances are really slippery, use the counterforce of our training.” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.12.6 

When a dog is barking loudly because someone is at the door, the worst thing you can do is yell. To the dog, it’s like you’re barking too! When a dog is running away, it’s not helpful to chase it—again, now it’s like you’re both running. A better option in both scenarios is to give the dog something else to do. Tell it to sit. Tell it to go to its bed or kennel. Run in the other direction. Break the pattern, interrupt the negative impulse. The same goes for us. When a bad habit reveals itself, counteract it with a commitment to a contrary virtue. For instance, let’s say you find yourself procrastinating today—don’t dig in and fight it. Get up and take a walk to clear your head and reset instead. If you find yourself saying something negative or nasty, don’t kick yourself. Add something positive and nice to qualify the remark. Oppose established habits, and use the counterforce of training to get traction and make progress. If you find yourself cutting corners during a workout or on a project, say to yourself: “OK, now I am going to go even further or do even better.” Good habits have the power to drive out bad habits. And habits are easy to pick up—as we all know

For Today......October 19

 Only in a hut built for the moment can one live without fear. Kamo no Chomei 

Fear comes from projection. My mind does not say, “This is a fine, pain-free, worry-free moment in which there is nothing to fear. Therefore, enjoy it.” Instead, it leaps ahead, conjuring up all sorts of mishaps and calamities. As difficult as it is to shed old habits, I keep remembering the relief and freedom and joy that came the first time I tried abstaining one day at a time and not worrying about what would happen tomorrow. For today: My life consists of single moments. I occupy them one at a time, savoring the fullness of each, and find there is no room for fear.