​Let’s talk about Practice.
 
What do you think about when I say the word “practice”?
Any good coach would, and in our training, we talk about what you need to do and to practice each and every day to make a change to see something actually happen.
 
Well, how are you doing with it?  It is something that is easier to NOT do instead of applying the advice and actually practice what you need to depending on what you are studying?
 
And most importantly, when you do practice are you allowing yourself to actually feel the practice experience or simply mechanically putting in the time to get through with it for now?
There is a huge difference between them.
 
In order to excel at anything requires practice, devoted practice and we know that.
However, when it comes to the mind, our thinking, and wishing for things in our life to be better, how do we go about it?
 
Oh, sure, we do a few affirmations, maybe for as long as 30 days. And we work on meditating and picturing what we want and that’s the problem – we work on or at it.  That is resistance in itself; when we can’t just let ourselves flow into a state of calmness to actually meditate or feel the energy of our affirmations. 
 
Then we determine that’s not working so then we go looking for something else that will “fix” this issue for us.  Off we go purchasing the next sparkly, best thing that’s out there to “fix” it-or so that’s what they say about their sparkly product. We do a lot of “shelf-study” and YouTube watching and still nothing much if anything changes and for sure it’s not permanent.
 
What’s missing?  What are you doing wrong, you ask yourself?
 
What are you studying? How are you studying? Do you  just read it to get on to the next chapter or the end? Is that “study”?  How many times do you read it over? Do you know it well enough that you have infused yourself and totally emerged with the essence of what you studied?
 
Now, let’s go back to Practice.
 
Changing anything starts with your mindset of how you consciously and unconsciously think about things and that takes Practice. Practice in the right way with excitement, focus, emotion, acceptance, and forgiveness is how you succeed.  Forgiveness  of old impressions that you feel you need to hold on to.
 
When you start to look at practice as a beautiful thing, an amazing skill, tool, a gift to bring you all that you ever wanted, you will be excited to apply your practice every day. Soon you will start to see and feel a change happening that is marvelous. You will notice that your confidence gets stronger and stronger. 
 
How long do you think the surgeon, the concert pianist, or the airplane pilot had to study and practice? Now think about how long and to what extent you study and practice.  Would you feel safe and confidently secure to get on a plane with you as the pilot? Or to go through an operation with you as the doctor or surgeon? Or go attend and pay for a concert with you at the keyboard of the piano?
 
Why would you think that changing the way that your mind works, thinks, and creates things in your life, every second of the day, would take any less attention to study and practice than the pilot, surgeon or pianist?
 
They are studying and practicing for their occupation.  YOU are studying and practicing for your LIFE.  Big difference wouldn’t you say?  I would.
 
So how do you want to or how are you living your life?
 
Whenever you want to make changes, any change, you need to apply yourself and be patient.  How long have you been living with the mindset and thinking you already built your life around? 
 
Change takes effort and time. Any change, especially one for the better, that is a positive life change is an effort because our habit wants us to stay as we already are.  Your little habit gremlin tries to convince you that you’ve been here for so long and it’s comfortable to just stay.
 
 But are you happy and comfortable with how you are?  Aren’t you looking for something more, for a change? 
 
So, wouldn’t you agree with me that study and practice are majorly important?  I’m sure you can see this by now. I never said it was easy but with determination and willingness to really want or need something to change in your life, you will accomplish it.
 
Just remember, study and practice – really study and really practice - and you will start to see some wonderful changes manifesting in your life, in your world.
 
I hope this message I received today from Spirit after my morning meditation has been helpful to you and answered some of your questions and concerns as to why something you think you are doing right has not worked or wasn’t permanent.
 
Much love
Madalyn