The Reward is in the Change

I'm thinking about this quote a lot lately:

"Our perspective is transforming, so we no longer see the behavior as the reward, but the possibility of changing as the reward... The reward is in the change... Your brain begins to respond to the new perceived reward, and it's now more desirable than the unhealthy behavior!" ~Debra Fileta

In very general terms, my mind tends to associate the word "change" with the word "hard" ....and to associate the word "reward" with delicious foods that aren't particularly nutritious. lol

I want to be intentional about this perspective shift, reminding myself that lasting transformation and positive habit changes (a strong and healthy mind, body, soul, and spirit) are a much greater reward!

My new mantra when faced with temptation toward old unhealthy patterns = "The reward is in the change."

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Nothing catastrophic, but I'm a little down today.  This day last year was my first (#1 of 4) IUI procedure.  I remember feeling super nervous and super hopeful...  My Write the Word guided journal that morning prompted me to handwrite a verse about confusing grief and pain turning to joy, Jesus specifically comparing it to the joy a woman feels after childbirth (John 16:19-22), then on my drive to OU Reproductive, I teared up when Lauryn Hill's To Zion song randomly played.  It all felt like hints of a promise from God.  Maybe it was just my strong desire making me misread things... or maybe it was a promise given to me in my spirit that will be fulfilled at a later time through a different path.

Either way, God is good and His plans are good.

And either way, my life here has purpose, and our ultimate hope and highest reward is with Jesus in heaven!

"So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that JOY!"  ~John 16:22 ❤