My husband found this leaf and gave it to my daughter when they were on a walk today. Chloe loves leaves, rocks and anything outdoorsy, so it wasn’t out of the ordinary to see a leaf sitting on the table in our home. I walked past it several times before it caught my eye. It’s uniqueness struck me. The leaf had begun to change color but was only “half changed,” as David put it.
Being the frugal blogger that I am, a very clear parallel illuminated in my mind. He said, “half changed,” and my thoughts stuck there. The process of change can be difficult and discouraging. When you have a goal in mind it’s tough to feel encouraged about the process that gets you there. If you are $20,000 in debt it can be tough to feel encouraged about paying off a $48 medical bill. It’s doesn’t feel like it makes a difference but it does. The process of positive change is one to be celebrated as a journey, not just a goal. As I mulled over these ideas a few things came to mind that I wanted to share here.
- Change is usually gradual. Sure, there’s the occasional situation where things change all at once but that’s the exception. Most change happens a little at a time, which is good and healthy. An all or nothing attitude causes us to miss so much. If you decided you would only exercise if you could immediately run 5 miles per day, do 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups then there isn’t much chance that you’re going to exercise. If you begin with a half mile and 5 sit-ups and push-ups and gradually increase you’re routine then you’re building a healthier habit.
- The process can be just as rewarding as the goal. The foliage in the northeast of the US is absolutely stunning in the autumn. I feel very blessed to live here at this time of the year. The “peak” weekend for foliage is truly a sight to behold. However, the gradual change that occurs before our eyes is nothing to be dismissed. It’s remarkable. Each year I look forward to when the foliage is the most brilliant but continue to be in awe of the transformation that precedes it.
Be A Leaf 
I know, exciting stuff huh? The good news here is that you don’t have to master everything all at once. When you are in the process of change missing the mark isn’t seen as failure but rather as part of the process. Gradual change in our own lives is healthy and beneficial. Easing a new, healthy habit into your life is much more likely to make it stick than a diving in approach. Also, gradual change makes goals seem achievable, which motivates us to achieve them!
Are you trying to straighten out your budget and figure out a system that works for you? Great. That doesn’t usually happen in an afternoon though. Building a system that’s intuitive to you usually takes a few months of trial and error. It’s worth it though. Trying new approaches and experimenting with different methods is good and healthy and you’ll likely learn quite a bit about what works for you and what doesn’t in the process.
Are you in a pile of debt and want out? Wonderful, but unless you receive an enormous inheritance these things take time. With debt, it usually takes a LOT of time. There is so much to be learned in the process of getting out of debt that there are blogs dedicated solely to that topic. Getting out of debt is a rewarding process, not just a rewarding goal.
Are you trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Your kids will probably disown you if you change ALL the food in your home all at once. Ease them into it. My mom switched us from 2% milk to fat free over the course of a few months by tricking us slowly mixing them until one day we were drinking fat free milk and had no idea. We had a gradual change. Exercise goes the same way – begin with something you can do and work up from there.
It’s wonderful to have high-aspiring goals for yourself as long as you remember to celebrate the process. The work that’s involved to reach new heights is nothing to be ignored and missing things along the way is nothing to be shamed. Appreciating the process of change requires vision that values the moment you’re in, not just the one you’re trying to get to.
Why I do what I do ~ Lately, Chloe has been mis-pronouncing a few cute words. We went apple-picking last weekend and bought some fresh apple cider. This is the only time of year that we have it so Chloe was tasting it as if for the first time. She drank the whole cup and then asked, “Mama, may I have more pider please?” Another one … I bought her some new gloves for winter (it’s already getting cold here). She’s always had mittens before so these were new to her. She loves them and bragged to David, “Look at my new clubs!”
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Such good thoughts… and encouragement to stick with change. I’m so grateful that Jesus is so patient with us, too!
And Chloe sounds adorable!
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Nikki,
I loved this quote—”The process of positive change is one to be celebrated as a journey, not just a goal.”
It reminded me of when my daughter, Callie, was a newborn and I wanted so much to feel like a super-mom from day one. What I didn’t realize was becoming a mom was a gradual process. I don’t expect my daughter to make leaps and bounds in a matter of a few days, so why should expect the same from myself?
You are right when you say that, like most things in life, frugality and getting out of debt is a gradual change. Thank you for reminding me
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