Last week on Hidden Brain the host and a guest were discussing strategies to change behavior in line with New Year’s resolutions. The agreement for sustainable change was to implement small changes. Not a new concept, yet still difficult to implement. As humans we get comfortable and complacent with how things are.

I don’t know about you but lately I am ready for change. In some ways I feel stuck in a rut. Every week I think that this week might be different that I will be able to change up my schedule to accomplish some things that have been on my to-do list of self-improvement/work. And every week, I find that the week unfolds as the last one and nothing has been accomplished that I would like to do and nothing has changed.

I want to redo all of that. And I want to change my attitude (which is mostly frustration and some despair) when things do not change as desired.

I have been thinking of the Bible verse: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).

I am wondering if my lack luster attitude has anything to do with feeling that I have deviated (even ever so slightly) from God’s will. I am wondering if I have gotten distracted by events and situations around me and not staying focused both for what God has called me to accomplish individually and societally.

I feel that in order for me to begin any changes in my life, I need a renewal of my mind. I want to choose what is good and acceptable to God. I need God’s help in this process so I am asking the following questions:

Is my schedule acceptable to Him? Are my chosen activities edifying to Him and to others? Am I promoting activities that aid in my development and improvement of society? Am I leaving room in my schedule for relationships? For obligations and responsibilities? Am I choosing a rhythm of life that He would choose for me?

One basic thing I need to figure out is how to increase exercise into my day. During this healing time of my broken wing I have had to stop exercising as I was accustomed and boy, do I feel it. I figure that it is a good time for me to add some new type of exercise into my routine. I found it interesting that the guest on Hidden Brain said that for her to get exercise in her life, she needed to run in the early am and in order to accomplish that, she would sleep in her running clothes. Not that I am advocating doing that per se, but it is interesting that a simple, small change could set her on the path for a larger one.

What about you? Have you ever felt stuck in a scheduling rut? How did you get out of it? Did you make small changes? Did they lead to larger ones? Do you feel that you are in a societal rut? What things can you do to help make changes in your community?

What changes would you like to make? How will you go about changing? How is your attitude? Do you need to make an adjustment? Do you need to renew your mind this year? If so, what are you planning?

For me, all change starts with getting back in God’s Word. For I find that when I have that foundational element in my life, I can keep things in perspective and have an improved attitude. I feel motivated to change in the places where God convicts me and feel at peace with where I am. I also feel encouraged and empowered to do His work, not because of my own abilities, but because He provides strength in my weakness.

I have found that sometimes many of the changes that God works in our lives are not that huge or that difficult. Yes, there are times of life-changing careers and lifestyle- one of the biggest in the Bible is the conversion of Saul/Paul. I also think of those individual’s who have given up one lifestyle for another- Albert Schweitzer, St. Augustine. But generally the changes that move us more in line with His purpose and plan are small. A divine tweaking of what is already in our lives. I think of God’s call to Abraham- He continued to be the nomadic livestock owner. Moses was already a leader from his upbringing as Pharaoh’s daughter’s son. And though Paul shifted his focus from a religious zealot to unwavering evangelist, he was still a leader/instructor/speaker.

The thing about ruts- it is hard to move forward. Have you ever tried to walk on a sidewalk that hasn’t been shoveled of snow? Once footprints are imprinted and thawing then refreezing occurs, it becomes very difficult and treacherous to traverse on that walk. While my rut doesn’t appear to be treacherous, I feel that I am not moving forward. In order to get my feet out of this standstill, I need to listen to God and hear His plan on moving to solid ground. For all I know, it might require a small change in my behavior.

I am praying for guidance on that divine tweaking.