The Breathing Prosperity blog

I cannot remember where I first read of the concept, but I like the thought of the upward spiral when it comes to personal change.  

When people are beginning a process of change by choice, such as letting go of a habit or creating a new mindset, they sometimes feel as if they are ‘back to square one’ if or when they slip up. This can be very frustrsating and de-motivating, and it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, it is entirely untrue.

Remember, wherever you are in your life has taken years of accumulated actions and thoughts to create. Your current set of circumstances is very complex, and it takes time to change things. This is actually a good thing, as it allows us to make adjustments as we go, and gives us the freedom to make mistakes and correct our actions.

Instead of thinking you are back to square one, try viewing yourself as being on an upward spiral. Each time you ‘come around’ to find similar feelings, you are not at the same old place…you are somewhere new, because YOU are new. You have the added thoughts, experiences and intentions of the latest version of yourself, and you are at a higher place on the path than when you began. You can see the ‘same old thoughts’ from a new and slightly higher perspective, each time you come around to them. Therefore, you can see that when you come back to the same feelings or reactions, it is not a failure; it is just your old conditioning coming up, and another opportunity for you to choose.

Another way this concept can be enjoyed is by reading books more than once. I have an extensive library (although I wish it was even bigger!), and I am often going back to books I read a year or more ago. When I read them again, I find that I notice new insights, or perhaps understand passages more deeply than the first time I read them. I can enjoy a deeper impact, and thus even greater personal change, because I am continuously learning and growing, and striving to see from new perspectives. In this way, I can make the most use of my collection of information to which I am always adding.

The upward spiral is a far more encouraging and motivating way to look at personal development than thinking you are ‘back to square one’ on your path. If you have been exercising straight for 10 days and then miss a day – or even a week or two – so what? Make a new intention and jump back in. As the author of The Zone Diet say, just get back in the zone and keep going!