The Power of Habit- a timely New Year book review

Charles Duhigg wrote a powerful book (The Power of Habit) that gives us tools to impact a central area of our lives – habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their life. Here is a brief summary of the central question key points of the book. What’s the best way to release yourself from negative habits? You need to understand the habit loop; which is made up of three stages:

1.Cue – something that triggers your habit

2.Routine – the behavior that follows after you’ve triggered your habit

3.Reward – the positive reinforcement your brain identifies with the routine you use.

The key to breaking out of habit loops is to understand these three stages and little changes you can make in any one, or all of them to change your behavior. With time and discipline you can make small substitutions or choices consistently and change whatever you desire about your habits!

Lots to be Thankful for. (November 22, 2018)

We all have so much to be thankful for:

• Being alive
• Being healthy
• Family and friends
• Being thoughtful enough to be thankful

The list is endless. There are always reasons to be concerned, and we have plenty now. There are a lot of reasons to be thankful including so many great Americans who care and who vote!

Words Make Meaning; and Matter (October 30, 2018)

Words have impact on lives. We must all be mindful of the words that we speak, because we are putting our thoughts into the awareness of others. Our words represent us and are an attempt to influence others about our shared environment and experience. All of us should be intentional about spreading the truth and building a better world and helping others.

Words and Thoughts Precede Action (October 24, 2018)

Words and thoughts have meaning and weight in our world.  Behavior is a result of thinking; we communicate our thinking through words.  Words create an environment and tone among people.  The Bible tells us that our words show what is in our hearts in abundance.  We all need to use our words to build up, and not tear down the people and institutions that are important.  We all need to remember that everyone is important, and should be treated with dignity and respect whenever possible.

What is a Norm? (October 21, 2018)

There is a lot of discussion about norms in today’s media.  it is important for every citizen to make a decision about what is acceptable behavior and words in public.  We do not respect behavior from adults telling others to act in one way and then model different behavior.  Norms are behaviors that are typical and expected in a society.  We are all responsible to model what we expect, and to treat others the way that we expect to be treated.  Part of a citizen’s responsibility is to create societal conditions (and select leadership) that affirm the values and behaviors that we expect and want to pass on.