**EDIT: Thoughts On Why People Do Not Change - An Important Personal Lesson Learned

"We would rather be ruined than changed;

We would rather die in our dread

Than climb the cross of the moment

And let our illusions die."

~W.H. Auden

Why do people resist change?

An Awakening.

There are MANY reasons why people resist change. Often, they are fully unaware that the change is necessary to live joyfully in emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical stability and freedom. Many just do not know which direction to turn to for change to occur, and they lack the tools to make the necessary changes happen. This is when professional help is required.

But for others, they are fully aware that the changes and the subsequent final destintations are necessary and great, but the deterent is that the journeys there are perecived as painful and uncomfortable. They are AFRAID to change, to uncover the pieces of themselves that are "ugly" and no longer serve their highest goods. They FEAR that they cannot change - that they will fail at change just as they have "failed" in other areas of their lives before. The anticipated pain of the transition is enough to make their current, unhealthy states seem stable, which is only an illusion. The perceived unhealthy, stability will never lead to true joy and self-love, and filling oneself up with distraction allows for further decay of that vital life energy that fuels love of self, love of others, and the only constant in this life, which is change.

In the Toaist tradition, water symbolizes wisdom and fluid change. It moves in the path of least resistance and takes on the form in which it is held. It symbolizes personal transformation and recycling. It is motion. It is change. It is life.

My final thought -- Water that is stagnant creates an environment where death and decay reign supreme, and in contrast, water that flows is home to incredible life. Be home to life.

Happy Healing and Changing!

**EDIT: I am in the process of making a new page, which you can see at the top of my blog, that has my favorite posts for those of you who just start reading my blog.
Also, as I was starting to go through some old posts, I found this paragraph I wrote back in March. It pertains to this post on change:
"As time progresses and I am tried by difficult circumstances, I am realizing that character building is a slow and steady process if you let it be. When we delay our growth by denial, avoidance, regression, resentment, anger, jealousy, and comparing ourselves to others, we inflict upon ourselves the worst and most unnecessary pain possible that would only be temporary discomfort if we faced change and character development head on and with an eager spirit. Each trial is an opportunity for growth, and when viewed in this manner, pain becomes a stepping stone to higher awareness. What are important in this temporary life are not material positions but relationships with those you love. With another hospitalization looming, I am reminded that I would rather have my mom and dad by my bedside than my diplomas or laptops, which reaffirms what this life is about (LOVE). What is a purpose driven life? It is a life centered on spiritual growth, community service, and a turning away from self-centered, worldly temptations. It is the only way to live and something to strive for."