Can you change? Or are the changes you make superficial given that the essence of who you are remains the same throughout your lifetime?
Tough questions. My family hotly debated them while I was away on vacation recently, and the discussion has remained on my mind.
What is Your Essence?
Each of us likely has a different definition of the essential individual essence that makes up each human being. I call it the soul. Maybe you call it the personality or something else. I believe your soul comes into the world perfect and pure and with a purpose.
Your purpose could be to learn or do something. It could be to express something, like a particular gift or skill or even a message.
The Process
As you go through life, however, you forget not only that you are perfect and pure but that you have a purpose to fulfill. Based on your experiences and what you hear or learn, you choose to believe that you aren’t perfect or good enough. Your life, relationships and the lessons you learn influence your thoughts and behaviors. You pick up good and bad habits. You change for the better or the worse.
And at some point you find it necessary, or feel the pull, to find your way back to your authentic selves—to your essence.
Time to Change
So you begin the process of change, especially if you become conscious of the fact that you need to change for the better.
You decide to think more positively. Or you decide to exercise, give to charity, volunteer, be more compassionate, listen better, be more mindful, or not react with anger—or anything else that improves you.
Do You Really Change?
Some studies say that if you do anything for 27 days (others say 40) you develop a new habit. Continue that habit long enough and it becomes part of your nature. It becomes part of you.
Does that mean you change? Yes.
Does it mean your essence changes? Debatable.
Some people work on changing all their lives. When they find themselves under pressure or in certain situations, they revert back to their old negative ways of being, thinking and behaving.
Yet, your soul was pure and perfect already. When you work consistently on changing yourself, you take a step closer to expressing your true self, or allow yourself to behave more authentically. You return to yourself and become your best self.
What do you think? Do we change?
If you want to return to your best self, I’d be happy to discuss how High Performance Coaching might help you fulfill your potential and live your life with more meaning and inspiration. To set up a 1-hour FREE High Performance Coaching session, click here. Then download the free session application, and submit it. I’ll contact you to schedule your session time.
