Expecting People to Change

Told you I wasn’t a Moron!

I can change and I want to change.

Doesn’t everybody?

Surely people want to grow, to lead deeper, richer lives? Isn’t change the very essence of evolution and that’s something nobody can stop anyway, right?

Is it arrogant of me to think that just because I can and want to change that everybody else thinks that way, too?

Here’s Your Carrot, Flip Flop

The summer of August 2003 was a hot one in southern Manitoba where my wife Kathy and I were managing the world famous Barney’s Motel. After three years of struggling through wild weather and endless challenges we had finally achieved a level of success that compelled our partners to provide us with a ten thousand dollar bonus. We quickly decided to share the loot with a loyal and trusted house keeper who had dutifully toiled alongside us.

We excitedly discussed the future with our employee friend, pondering the adjustments which would be required to attain our next level of success and at the climax of our tete e tete we dramatically forked over three thousand dollars in cash to her. This was by far the biggest bonus she had received in her life and we joyfully celebrated the rosy future this financial reward would allow.

Less than twelve months later our house keeper had stolen from us and left without notice.

I truly believe we destroyed her by upsetting the delicate equilibrium of her life, no matter what level of economy she was encountering. After years of contemplating what occurred I really feel that not only are people resistant to change but each of us can be destroyed simply by introducing too many or too large of changes in our lives.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

(Source: Jerold Jenkins, www.JenkinsGroupInc.com)

Why are you looking if there’s nothing here?

Nobody Moves, Nobody Gets Hurt

Only recently did I discover that folks are possessed.

Residing deep within every human is a force with which few are acquainted.

Called homeostasis, this gyroscopic balancing act works 24/7 to ensure we continue waking up as the same person every morning. It’s our old friend homeostasis that alerts us to strange people and abnormal situations – usually through the hairs on the back of our neck!  (hmm, I wonder why this doesn’t work with marraige…)

It’s called Astral Travel, not Laziness!

And with the H meister riding trigger-happy shotgun on any potential change in our lives, most people don’t even realize they are fighting a losing battle with reality remodeling. Sure, they swear to wanting better circumstances but their homeostasis is so dang powerful they are unable to sustain any activity long enough to enjoy the positive cumulative effect.

These days I am acutely aware of any accomplishment of enduring adjustment for myself & those around me. The knowledge that even minor changes involve overcoming a ginormous, almost paralysing force helps me understand that anyone seeking change must first know, then master The “H Man” first.

Yep, my reverence for Captain Homeostasis has made all difference.

I hope knowing about cappy will help you, too.

Thank you, Friend.

Barry out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis