Creating Kind Patterns

Day 26: Creating Kind Patterns

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” -Norman Vincent Peale

How do we become aware of our daily patterns when they are patterns? A pattern by definition is a combination of qualities, acts, thoughts and tendencies that form a consistent or characteristic arrangement.  If we become aware of the patterns that do not serve us, how do we then make the change to patterns, thoughts and acts that serve us and others?

The first step is to become aware of the patterns. The second step is to write them down. The third step is to stop and change the pattern as soon as you notice. The fourth step is to be gentle, forgiving and understanding of the process. It took a long time to form these patterns and will take dedication, awareness and time to change the patterns to those that serve us in kindness and love.

1. Kindness to Self:

   I decided to have some fun with it and make a game out of catching my negative patterns. As soon as I become aware, I find a notepad and write down the pattern and the usual outcome. I am keeping a running list. Seeing the patterns written down on paper make them more tangible and enable me to see and understand them on a deeper level. This helps me remain aware and will hopefully continue to assist me in catching the pattern quicker so that I can stop and change it.

2. Kindness to Others:

   I have learned over and over again, that I cannot change anyone else. I cannot change the way they think, act or behave, but I do have the power and choice to not engage. I also have the power and choice to act with grace and kindness when faced with other people’s patterns that do not serve me.

3. Kindness to Strangers:

   My goal is to be aware, be quick to recognize, make a change and eventually have new patterns of thoughts, tendencies and acts that serve me and those around me, even the people that are strangers to me. My journey to find kindness begins with me, deep inside, and maybe that change will change those around me or maybe not. All I can do is to try “to be the change I wish to see in the world” -Gandhi

4. Kindness to Our Planet:

   What can I do today to change a pattern concerning the health of our planet? Here are two resources concerning water conservation: National Geographic  and American Rivers.

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com/SasVanVeen