Do you know the story of the touchstone? It tells about a fortunate man who was told that if he should possess the "touchstone" its magical powers could give him anything he wanted. The touchstone could be found, he was informed, among the pebbles of a certain beach. All he need do is pick up a stone -- if it feels warm to the touch, unlike the other pebbles, he has found the magical touchstone.
The man went immediately to the beach and began picking up stones. When he grasped a pebble that felt cold, he threw it into the sea. This practice he continued hour after hour, day after day, week after week. Each pebble felt cold. Each pebble was immediately tossed into the sea. But then, late one morning, he happened to take hold of a pebble which felt warm, unlike the other stones. The man, who's conscience had barely registered the difference... tossed it into the sea.
He hadn't meant to, but he had formed a habit! Any behavior that we repeat, we reinforce. Repeat it often enough and it becomes habit. That, of course, can work to our advantage or work against us, depending on the behavior.
Is there a behavior you would like to make into a habit? Then reinforce it by repeating that behavior at every opportunity. In this manner, your life will, day by day, become filled with the kinds of habits that build beautiful lives.
cheers,
Bobby Wan
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