Trainer Tip: The change you're looking for begins with a single step. Trainer Tip One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. —André Gide When I first started to think about moving out of my hometown, I felt excited and raring to go. I wanted a change and I was convinced that I would “find myself” in a new town where no one had expectations of who I was. All my energy was about moving. I had already moved emotionally even though I still didn’t know where to go. This is what I call being in the hallway of life. I had let go of my old life because I wanted adventure, but I hadn’t built my new life. Or, put another way, I had moved from one room into the hallway, and I had not yet entered a new room. Shifting behaviors can also feel like this sometimes. We know we don’t like the way we do things now, but it’s frightening to change because we’re not sure what will happen, and we’re not sure how to do it. Here’s my suggestion. If there’s something you’re not happy with, set the intention to change it. Just that simple act will start the change. Then try to do one thing that will further manifest it. You could empathize with someone else or yourself (listen for feelings and needs), look into class schedules at the local college, call a doctor, or ask a friend if she has a suggestion. The first step in creating change is to acknowledge a need and a behavior or situation you want to change. The second step is taking action—some action, any action. Just do something different. For today, take one action that will help you manifest the change you desire. This trainer tip is an excerpt from Mary Mackenzie's book Peaceful Living, available from PuddleDancer Press. Keywords: feelings honesty needs presence requests strategies healing vulnerability acceptance awareness happiness Mary Mackenzie