A penny for your thoughts

For years I have subscribed to a select number of magazines that I choose to read for a mix of entertainment, knowledge, and self improvement. Every month I peruse the various articles looking for those that most interest me, and the ones I think can have the greatest impact on my life.

The most recent addition to my repertoire of knowledge-dropping glossies is Men’s Health. Each year, I think back about which magazines I liked best and which ones I can shed, and then determine what new publication I should try. I chose Men’s Health this year primarily for its advice on, well, health tips for men. It also offers a variety of other tips for men, and is a well-rounded publication.

After reading only one issue, however, I finally had a light bulb that had been dim for many years go on. I love reading my magazines, but they always leave me feeling a bit lacking. After reading about 100 different ways I can strengthen my core, “shred” my abs, etc… I realized why it is I always get that feeling. It’s simple, change really is hard.

It’s easy to read about ways to improve your life, but so very hard to actually do it. Heck, there are literally millions of self-help books out there about how to make money, forge good relationships, be a better person, get in shape, and the list goes on. If you analyzed how much money is spent on them every year, I’m sure the figure would be astounding.

So, why aren't we all pulling down six or seven figure salaries in our dream jobs that allow us to vacation to our beachfront properties often, while not thinking twice about what we look like in our bathing suits with our flawless mates?

Well, part of it is we are human, and, as a result, we are not perfect. But, part of it is also finding the strength, courage and, most importantly, time to change is not easy. Once we get into a pattern, rhythm, groove, habit, whatever you want to call it, it takes that much more effort to change – even if we know it’s for the better. An object in motion tends to stay in motion, right?

All of this, of course, is just conjecture on my part. I don’t hold a degree that would help me speak intelligently on this topic, but I've been speaking my mind for 9 blog posts so why change now?