The Good Wolf and the Bad Wolf
Changing our habits can be extremely challenging. Consider that our habits are programmed in to our mind in the same way that data is stored on a computer.
Just like our bodies though, the information that is stored in the neural networks of our minds is fundamentally just energy.
The more you focus on something, the more energy you give to it and the stronger it gets.
When you deprive something of energy it eventually dies. This is knowledge that can be applied consciously to both psychological and physical behavioural patterns; our habits.
In the Max Payne post, we explored how pain and pleasure are mutually arising. Much like yin and yang one needs to exist for the other to exist. This is the essence of an equilibrium.
Breaking habits can be done by exercising a choice to create disequilibrium. This is because thee process of creating disequilibrium forces a new more preferable equilibrium to arise. In essence; the act of removing something creates the need to replace it with something else.
There is an old Cherokee expression:
“There are two wolves that live inside us. One wolf is good and one is bad. They are constantly in battle with each other. The question is, which one wins?”
“The one you choose to feed.”
When applying this theory of disequilibria, one must also be aware that your overall balance must remain. You can’t just not feed the bad wolf; you need to feed the good wolf too.
In other words; when you are trying to break a habit, you can’t just stop doing whatever it is (creating disequilibria). This may work in the short term but for sustainable change you need it to redirect your energy in to something else (creating equilibria). Replace the bad habit with a new good habit.
Remember: Unspent energy returns to the bad wolf.
Establish disequilibria but maintain balance.
Enjoy, for now.