Honest Change

I kept one eye on the World stage this week, knowing that history of some sort or another was being made, while going about my week, and I certainly could not have predicted the week's outcome in Egypt on Monday, I doubt many could have forseen the way things played out, least of all the people in the streets protesting the existing conditions and seeking real, lasting, changes to the way the world's oldest civilization has been governed.

Sometimes that's the way it goes. Those who are desperately seeking something seem to be the most surprised when they get that very thing. We're used to things always being the way they are, the way they've always been, certain, comfortable - even if conditions are harmful or unhealthy - change is difficult; even though it is the only sure thing we'll ever know, change is our biggest obstacle to finding peace with our lot in life.

We're feeling like bears again in these early days of February, our natural instincts causing us to eat more and crave more substantial, starchy foods, fatty foods so we store enough energy to last the harsh winter days our ancestors were accustomed to, and to which our genes have been adapted, and we feel sluggish and slow and moderately depressed in the low light, long dark days, even though we're seeing more evidnce of Spring on the horizon. We know we ought to change our ways, exercise more and eat more healthier, better foods, but we find ourselves unable to change, the anticipated difficulty of recreating ourselves seemingly more painful than the certain detrimental damage we're causing to our bodies should we continue to ignore the signs and remain where we are.

We tell ourselves we'll do what needs to be done, that we'll consciously change our approach, that with the longer days and warmer weather we'll revert back to our more active selves. But the truth is that we are demanding changes that we, as of yet on some level, do not fully believe we can accomplish, and we sabotauge our efforts because it's easier than facing ourselves honestly and courageously doing what needs to be done.

A world away, an oppressed people rally against the political staus quo, demanding change, demonstrating en masse, publicly declaring their wishes; their hopes; their dreams of freedom to choose. And to their surprise, the wheels of change begin to slowly turn in their favor, and they celebrate the sweet victory they've won. Meanwhile we struggle privately with ourselves, with something we have absolute control over, and find little solace in our efforts.

Maybe it's time we look in the mirror and finally admit that it's easier to demand change of others than of ourselves, but that if we really want anything to be different than what it is today, we have to get honest and be accountable to ourselves, and start today.

No one else will ever demand those changes for us.