Character Tree 6: HABITS
May 4th, 2009 by Suzie Potter received No Comments »
by Suzie of DUZIE
When I meet someone I know, my first response is to give them a hug. I have been doing this since childhood and learned it in my family. Many people say, “I need a Suzie hug” when they see me. This is something I don’t spend any time thinking about, I just do it naturally. (Sometimes when I am in a formal situation, or with a group of men, I have to stop and tell myself . . . “don’t hug that person now”, because I would naturally do it.)
If someone jumps out at me quickly, my startle response is to punch hard (usually in the middle of the chest or shoulder). I am not sure where this HABIT came from. But both Dan & Josiah know that if they startle me, they can expect a punch. They calculate weather it is worth it or not for them to get punched (or how to dodge the punch that is definitely coming.) I am always sorry, when I hurt them.
According to Wikipedia, a HABIT is an acquired pattern of behavior that often occurs automatically. It is the behavior (which could be in your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, words or actions) that comes out automatically. They way I like to think of it is when you are on “autopilot”. Whether I am hugging or hurting, HABITS are a driving force that happens without any effort. The effort has to come when you control or decommission a HABIT.
How long does it take for something to become a HABIT? Simple repetitive tasks require a timeframe of approximately 21 days. With most people it takes around 30 – 40 repetitions, to create a HABIT.
When I hear something like this it makes me ask, so how many repetitions or days does it take to decommission a bad HABIT that one wants to change? Can I just decide and make the choice in my thoughts? What about the other parts of the character tree: my feelings, attitudes, words, and actions . . . how are they connected to my HABITS? Can I do it alone or do I need my NET (close friends and experienced adults) involved in my life to make the transition of a bad HABIT that needs to change . . . or for that matter a good HABIT that I want to keep?
Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the HABIT of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” In Acts 2:42-47 it talks about how the new believers in Jesus met together daily for reading the scripture, being together in fellowship, breaking the bread, and prayer . . . they grew good HABITS together. It was so exciting that the Lord was adding more people to the group each day. We need each other! We need to choose the right things to think about . . . and what we allow to grow our HABITS into our CHARACTER. We need to choose the right people to journey the road of life with, the right people to develop, grow, and keep good HABITS.
- What automatic HABITS do you have?
- What is a Spiritual HABIT you have?
- A social HABIT?
- A physical HABIT?
- What is a HABIT you wished you didn’t have?
- Now what is a HABIT you wish you did have?
A HABIT that I am trying to grow (again) is regular exercise and smart choices in eating. It is amazing that even though I was successful in this HABIT 40 days straight, during Lent . . . within less than a week, I was back to “autopilot”, and it didn’t just happen. It is worth the work and accountability with the people around me to go at this good HABIT once again.
All the HABITS you have, are a result of a choice you have made. No one can give you a HABIT. You can be influenced to start a HABIT, but ultimately it is a daily (or minute-by-minute choice) that YOU make. I challenge to create and grow GOOD HABITS.
Tags: actions, Character Tree, choices, habits, NET
Posted under: NEX-GEN Everywhere, Uncategorized
