When it is mentioned that big changes, little effort is possible, this tends to get the attention of quite a few folks. We are all interested in making progress, but the stumbling block always seems to be the effort and perceived pain involved.
So if it was possible to obtain big changes with little effort, that would be an enviable way to go.
Let’s spend a few moments exploring this topic, and determine if we really are able to make significant progress and avoid at least some of the pain and struggle associated with it.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
Big Changes, Little Effort — People are Lazy
A large part of the challenge of doing what is necessary to make the changes that we desire is that we are lazy and prefer not to leave our comfort zones, get a bit uncomfortable, and put forth some extra effort to succeed. Given that state of mind, it is quite a challenge to progress.
But within this scenario there lies the key to both our progress and freedom. Just the very fact that we are too lazy to make the effort indicates that we are in charge since we have made that decision not to put forth the effort whether it is a conscious decision or not.
Even without realizing it, we have just taken responsibility for our results and outcomes. A decision to do nothing is still a decision that produces the results that we see.
If you would like to pursue this idea of laziness a bit more, here is an article by Dr. Neel Burton, M.D., who is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and writer from Oxford, England. The article was published in Psychology Today, and is called “The Psychology of Laziness”.
“Why” do we want to make these Changes?
Many mentors and leaders in the self-development world spend quite a bit of time emphasizing the importance of finding your “why”. This is so that you have a conscious reason based on a burning desire that will guide and maneuver you through the ups and downs of any journey or adventure you choose to take in the direction of your goals and dreams.
Just as we previously took responsibility for our laziness so that we are positioned to make some changes, we can now position ourselves to do what is necessary to achieve our goals. Figuring out why we want to do stuff brings an important clarity to the mix. We are then not operating under false pretenses.
What are these false pretenses you may ask? Well, chasing after the symbols of success rather than the true essence of success may be one. Going after money just for the sake of money is another, especially if we are motivated by fear of loss or wanting to fill some emptiness within ourselves.
The money in itself will not bring security. Knowledge of who we truly are and our inner strength and potential will. There is a very important lesson here beyond figuring out the whys and wanting to make significant progress. Once, the lesson is learned all else tends to naturally fall into place.
Now, this lesson is easy to overlook, and we have all managed to overlook this many times throughout our lives, making our journey a lot more challenging and difficult than needed. What is this lesson?
It’s not about the effort we put forth or the time we put in; it’s about Who We Are and being conscious enough so that we can live Who We Are each and every moment. It’s all about our “BeingNess”.
Big Changes, Little Effort — We Are Enough
The big takeaway here is that We are Enough right this very moment. There is nothing to do, and we have nothing to prove. As a small child, we were secure within ourselves, and exploration for the sake of exploring was enough. The experience of “being” alive was enough.
As John Candy said in the movie “Cool Runnings”, “A Gold medal is a wonderful thing, but if you’re not enough without it, you’ll never be enough with it.” -Irv Blitzer to Derice Bannock after Derice asked why he had cheated in the Olympics.
When we slow down enough, we realize that there is nowhere to go, and there is nothing to get. Our power to create really is in the Present Moment. It is this understanding that is critical to get, because that is what will fuel our actions and lead us in the direction we desire to go. The satisfaction is in all of the steps in getting there, as it is Who We Become that matters, rather than the toys we collect at the finish line.
This goes beyond the “why” to the essence of our Being. We are happy to be alive and consciously “take possession” of our innate inheritance to create the life we desire.
“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
― William Ernest Henley — “Echoes of Life and Death”
Where Do We Go From Here?
Once, the mindset is in place by understanding all of this consciously so that we can live it and apply it, we can then make big changes with little effort. It becomes a no-brainer at this point.
Just as previously we may have doubted our ability to succeed in a certain area of our lives, we now “know” and are convinced that we can produce any results upon which we focus with concentration, attention, and a burning desire.
It all comes together, and the strife and struggle that may have previously haunted us merely drifts away into the nothingness from which it came. It’s about making significant life changes without all the stress.
It has been said by many writers in the personal development space that is not about our goals but it’s about who we become in the process of attaining our objectives. And this is so very true.
Actually, in our process of becoming we discover that we were all this time pretending not to know. Even though this was most probably done unconsciously, it does not matter. We merely reacquainted ourselves with who we already were all the time.
Our true being didn’t suddenly get created. It was there all along and simply ignored. Through our prior experience and many years of picking up “borrowed knowledge” of how things worked, we blinded ourselves to the truth with a bunch of misperceptions and false beliefs.
With this type of heavy cloud cover, it is no wonder we were confused and lost within a maze of illusion. Now that we are awakened we can move forward with confidence as directed by our Genius Within. This intuitive aspect of ourselves leads the way and provides us our Marching Orders in just the right way, and at just the right time.
Big changes, little effort are the result of re-discovering our True Essence. Let us now consciously create from our heart, fulfilling our life purpose, and thus making a tremendous difference in the lives of all with whom we are blessed to encounter. Let the games begin, and let the enjoyment never end.
Let’s have some Fun!
In Peace and Love within the Light,
Joseph William
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What an interesting read… I come from a background of addictions and abuse, so I completely relate to a lot of information presented… I love how you stress the point of being able to change through a burning desire and constant thought on the one thing that we each strive for. In my personal experience striving for a whole picture that involves a wholeness of change within myself was they key. The answer to my problem was “Live the solution, not in the problem.”
Thanks Chris. Excellent observation about living the solution. It is so important. I appreciate your insights.
When I clicked on this article, the first thing I saw was “People Are Lazy” and I thought, “Ain’t it the truth??”. I never considered that doing nothing as an actual decision but I guess it is, right? This makes me think that the next time I do nothing, my alter ego will say, “So, that’s your decision, is it?”
Aside from this takeaway, I found this to be a very insightful and thought-provoking post. Digging deeply for our “why” is something we humans rarely do, “pretending not to know”, as you put it. I feel more enlightened by this read than I have in a long time so thank you. I’ve got some thinking to do.
Thanks for your thoughts and insights Cynthia. At times it does pay to stop and do nothing until we are inspired to proceed. Being guided from within is the key. All the very Best.
I am always amazed at how persons want a big change but do not want to put in the work yet they will spend hours watching tv and doing all sorts of things but if we would only take the time putting in the effort we will achieve good things.
Thanks so much for your thoughts on this Norman. I appreciate it very much. Joseph
Very interesting and captivative read, Many like to know that they just sit and things drop in their lap like manna from heaven, very good for newbies too since a lot of them think you can just become a millionaire overnight.
Thank you much for this article it is very inspirational and motivating to me, you always hit the spot.
You’re welcome Earl. Thanks for your comments and insights as well. Joseph