The saying that “we’re creatures of habit” is one we can often relate to. In the unconscious comfort of routine, we mindlessly fall back to what’s familiar, sometimes not even recognizing the habit until we are approaching change. How often do you find yourself resisting trying something new? You may debate in your mind whether or not you should stay in your current job or situation, sticking with the status-quo. Perhaps this dilemma contributes to the stress that you later try to solve with comfort foods. Persistent resistance can drain energy from your thoughts and your speech as well as your emotions. You become tense or frustrated and you feel that you cannot make these changes, even though you know that you may benefit from trying something new, whether it be healthier foods or exercise. These endless debates can lead to the formation of internal knots—they become your habit energies. Whenever resistance arises, attend to it mindfully, rather than ignoring it or turning to a familiar vice. Next time you find yourself resisting something, pause, and then greet your resistance by saying to yourself, “Hello, resistance. Here you are again!” For the next in breath, say to yourself: I recognize my resistance. For the out breath, say to yourself: I embrace change, the universal truth. Practicing like this, we can avoid wasting our energy on unconstructive reactions. As we continue to breathe, we can build up our mindfulness energy, and the feeling of resistance will subside. We will feel lighter, freer, and more ready to take on new challenges with ease. Although resistance can be stubborn at times, there are tools to lessen its influence in our lives. Look to Chapters 3 in SAVOR to help you uncover reasons why it is difficult for you to make healthy changes in what you eat and how you move. What are your particular areas of resistance? All the best to you, Lilian Photo Credit: MartinFish