Just as I was ready to get into bed one night, I was surprised to see my husband lying down on my side of bed.
Very confused, I demanded, “What are you doing here?!” My husband calmly stretched out his arm and, patting the other side of the bed, pointed out that I could lie down next to him. Mortified, I said, “You’re on my side!”
Why did this bother me so much? After all, he had only asked me to change my “spot” by three feet.
As human beings, we hate changes, even when they are as insignificant as this one. That’s why when the time comes to make major transformations, we avoid them at all costs. We do everything in our power to stay within our comfort zone.
The main reason we avoid change in our lives, even when we are unhappy, is because we are afraid to alter our routine and go into unchartered territory.
What’s going to happen if I leave this situation and I don’t find something better? This is the question we ask ourselves when we have to take a step forward, with little to no guarantee of a promising future.
The fear of changing your routine can keep you paralyzed and prevent you from reaching your goals. Even though you may not be happy, you feel safe because you know your present limitations and responsibilities very well. By keeping yourself busy with matters of little benefit to you, you limit the chances for new opportunities to come into your life.
Free yourself from everything that is no longer serving you, whether it be a relationship, a job, a friendship, a belief or an old pair of shoes that needs to be replaced.
Reflect on these thoughts and ask yourself the following: What am I holding onto in my life that is no longer benefiting me? What needed changes have I been ignoring in my life?
When you avoid making a change, you are resisting the natural order of life. There is a universal physical law that states that everything is changing constantly. In business, there is a concept that states: Anything that doesn’t change, dies. Why would people be any different?
If you aren’t ready to make the big changes in your life, the first step is to start with the small ones. For example, change your look—become a redhead! You might think that’s a big change, but it’s not as big as ending a relationship or telling your boss where he can put your job!
Tonight, sleep on the opposite side of the bed. You might discover—as my husband showed me that night—that the unfamiliar can be good!

Maria Marin

To learn more about Maria Marin, visit MariaMarin.com. Maria Marin is a national columnist and the author of Secretos de la Mujer Segura. For speaking engagements and bookings, contact Oralia Michel, OMMPR at 626-568-0902 or oralia@ommpr.com.