For me, I have to have a balance of both. Structure that keeps me on course but flexibility within the structure that allows for spontaneity and expansion.

@Lauren Lewis Yes there has to be both. Discipline and flexibility are key for me. Like... I know I need to exercise every day. But I have several different activities I can do and most days I do just a few minutes of several things. It makes it so much easier. And I count every little thing I do. I give credit for exercise even if all I did was walk back and forth to my car and I took the stairs instead of the elevator. It all adds up to movement!

Yes these questions are very good for building new habits. Nice I like'm!!!

@Lauren Lewis No I've never used questions like this to help me build a habit. Or at least I didn't consciously ask myself questions. I know I had to figure out a plan though. I quess I've developed my habits by just telling myself, "You're gonna do it!" And then picking a time of day to do it. Like meditation has to be done first thing in the morning. So i just started getting up earlier to accommodate it. And a softer side of me says "You know that later you'll be so glad you did it." and "Just do it. For 5 minutes."

I have started sooo many things over and over again. Like playing my instruments. In the past I would be on a roll and playing them consistently and see improvement in my playing and then just stop and not pick them up for months. And then when I finally pick them back up again, I would be so mad at myself because I had regressed and it took time to get back to where I was before. Similarly, I just started knitting again and I could kick myself because I have a half-finished scarf that I could not just pick up and finish because I couldn't remember how to do the pattern. Now... I'm not a seasoned knitter. I just learned to knit a few years ago, so it wasn't like my instruments that I've been playing since childhood. I can pick those up and get back to where I was just be sticking with it for a few weeks. But the knitting thing was something I had to ask for help with. From different POV. I have been going to a free knitting group at the library and it's been delightful and I think that I am meant to be there and I wouldn't be there if it weren't for my half-finished scarf. I think when you're seeking healing or improve your life and to become better there is a timing and readiness sort of like a wave of expansion that your psyche is designed to follow and if you're not able to stick to something maybe you weren't meant to at that particular time. Or maybe you're ready to have more discipline is some other area of your life and you can't stick to something because the other area needs you to focus there.

I get what you’re saying. But if what you want IS something different which means…change. You have to change. That’s the problem. Our culture has said hey you don’t have to change. Take a drug take a pill make it work make it fit into your current way of living Nobody truly wants to take full responsibility for getting themselves healthy. Sorry I don’t mean to be confrontational. But change requires change. I guess starting small by fitting something new into your old patterns until it becomes a habit. And then after that becomes a habit and it’s part of your routine then you add another new aspect. So gradually slowly, but surely you ultimately change.Yes that’s the best way. Thanks for letting me rant a little bit.

You are all you truly have. No one else can do what needs to be done for you. thanks for the reminder @Hazel Ryder