When our bodies have adapted to depend on a substance and we stop using it, we experience withdrawal symptoms. Our being seems to rebel when we decide to step into a new path as the old man or woman protests to leaving what was familiar. But the old person has gotten us to this point in our development, be it physical, emotional, social, intellectual, financial, or spiritual. Yet we need an upgrade in our mentality to progress.

Stepping into new territory is like being born into a new person. First, our confidence is shaky, we seem disoriented, our skills are awkward, and we have little to no accomplishment. The new and unknown territory seems scary. Sometimes we feel it is safer to slip back into the old self. But a year, three or five years from now, who would we rather be?

If we have goals we must adapt, grow, be born into an improved version of ourselves. We will not run away from facing and going through the transition point. And the sooner we relinquish the older version of ourselves, the sooner we get to embrace the new version of ourselves.

Take Dominique Dawes. She was the first female African American gymnast to win Olympic gold. To become champion, she said she woke up at 5 am, trained from 6 am to 8 am, went to school from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm then went back to gymnastics practice from 3 pm to 8 pm. She trained so hard because she wanted to reach her full potential. Post Olympics she became an advocates living an active lifestyle as well as taking care of your body, mind, and soul. Dominique went on to be selected to be on the President’s Council for fitness, sports, and nutrition.

You may not have such grandiose ambitions, but to reach any big goal requires transformation. You have gotten here. Now it is time to get there.

Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.

(NIV, Job 8:7)