Is that true?

Well, to an extent, yes.

The longer we keep a habit, more it becomes part of our subconscious, and breaking it does indeed take a lot of hard work from conscious mind.

The hardest habits to break, and easiest to form, are usually ones which make us feel good!

The hardest to *form* and *easiest* to break, are ones which we impose on ourselves to try and change our lives.

This is because they usually involve sacrifice of some sort.

It might be effort to exercise, it might be missing out that slice of cake, and it might be saving some extra money instead of treating yourself.

Our subconscious won’t like these habits, and at slightest opportunity, will drop them like a stone, and march us straight back to old habits.

Fear of change also plays a part in this, our old habits are comfortable, even if we know they are unconstructive to our lives.

When it comes to self-improvement, I see and read it so many times, that people feel great when they read a book or go to a seminar, and make changes in their life with great intentions.

However, once initial enthusiasm wears off, or they don’t see immediate results, they go right back to how they were before, and eventually get cynical about self-improvement industry.

Obviously you are not like this my friend, or you wouldn’t be reading this little old article!

THE OTHER SIDE OF EASY Initial Responses To Difficult Days © Lee Wise 2003 All rights reserved

NO WARNING SIGNS AHEAD...

They often come unannounced.

No warning. No time to prepare.

Our normal, everyday world is invaded by an intruder we didn't seek, don't want to know, and will soon wish we had never met.

These unwelcome "guests" break into our lives in a variety of ways. One may choose to enter through door of our family physician's office with an unanticipated diagnosis.

Another intruder may trespass our personal space by means of a phone call about a family member or close friend.

While these "guests" may introduce themselves to us in any number of ways, what they lead us to is always same.

They lead us to *difficult times.* Times I have come to label as...

"The other side of easy."

I'm no expert in dealing with tragedy -- believe me. I have, however, made some observations about how myself and others have tried to cope in early days when tragedy strikes.

I will list a few of these observations for you below. I wrote them down within a few weeks after my wife received a phone from our daughter while we were driving home from a short trip we had taken for day. Her call began with: "Mom, are you driving? If you are, maybe you had better pull over."

Our own "special guest" had come to pay us a visit.

My observations are...

WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FIRST

*Immediate needs take front row seats in our world. *Needs of all kinds can -- and should -- dictate what what we do. People needs receive highest priority. "Is everyone okay?" "What can I do to help?" "Do you need anything?"

*Schedules are readjusted. Day by day phone calls may not be made. Trips may need to be planned. WE LOOK FOR WHATEVER IS GOOD, POSITIVE AND VALUABLE IN THE WORLD

Tragedy is ugly. People are hurting. Physical and emotional "staying powers" are stretched to limits.

But in midst of it all, it is good to realize that...

*There are good people in world *There is "good" in world

It is helpful to acknowledge and appreciate both: good people and "the good." My tragedy doesn't negate what is true. Rather, it seems to be helpful to affirm these truths.

WE EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN REALITY FROM OURSELVES

We expect high moments. Moments when we are functioning pretty well. We are coping.

But then again, we also expect low moments. Moments of discouragement, perplexity or fear.