Today Is the Day March 2025

Alternate Perceptions Magazine, March 2025

Today Is the Day

by: Stan Prachniak, MBA

If you want to change anything about your life, you can start today. Today is your day to make a change. If you don’t believe this is true, why not? Chances are, the thing or things that are holding you back from even beginning to make the change you want to make are just excuses. You can come up with many reasons why you can’t change right now, but all you need is at least one reason you can. Turn your “can’t” into, “How can I?” You may not be able to take immediate action, but you can certainly formulate a plan that will encourage you to enact the process of changing. And that is exactly what lasting change is—a process. As many people discover, usually when they are older and more mature, becoming the best version of yourself is an ongoing, never-ending, process. Being the best version of you requires maintenance. You are always a work in progress who is constantly changing, either intentionally or unintentionally. If you want the world to stop changing you (unintentional), then you must take control and begin living intentionally every day.

It's a good idea to start living intentionally at some point, so why not do it now? The first step doesn’t have to be grand. Start small. There are many different areas of your life that you can change, but I’d like to offer a simple example that relates to health and fitness. Let’s say that you want to exercise regularly, but you have several reasons in your mind that justify your belief that it just isn’t possible—you are too busy, you don’t have the equipment you need, you can’t afford a gym membership, etc. Let’s reframe this by asking, “How can I start exercising?” The answer is likely something you see people doing every day—walk. Walking is a simple activity that has a very low barrier to entry—you can do it almost anywhere, anytime, and you don’t need anything special to start. If you are physically able, go for a walk as soon as you finish reading this article. While you are walking, think about what goals you may have that relate to exercise. When you get home from your walk, write down your goals and make a realistic plan to achieve them. If you are not familiar with proper ways to exercise, then do some research. There are countless resources online. Don’t set major, long-term goals at this point. It’s a good idea when beginning on your journey to keep your goals somewhat easily attainable. The key in doing this is to provide yourself the opportunity to “win.” For example, setting a goal for yourself to walk three days this week for ten minutes each day is much easier to accomplish than setting a goal of walking 2 miles a day every day. (It’s important to note here that if you have any known health conditions or if you are unsure if you do, you should consult your primary care doctor before you begin any type of exercise routine.) It is smart to start slow, take your time, stack your victories and the positive feelings of achieving goals will encourage you to keep going. By starting “small,” you set yourself up for success. This concept applies to any goals or changes you want to achieve—begin with realistic, attainable goals.

I chose walking as an example because it has multiple benefits and is relatively easy to do. The benefits include things like improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, better sleep, improved mood, and several others which are all related to the increase of blood flow through your body. If you walk first thing in the morning, you get the blood pumping and energize yourself for the day. When you finish your walk, you have successfully accomplished one of your goals for the day, which feels good. Even if you don’t have the desire to exercise regularly, you might consider walking for some of its other benefits—improved mood, better sleep, and increased energy levels. Think of the chain reaction of change that the simple act of a walking habit/routine can produce. Positivity leads to more positivity. Establishing a healthy routine such as walking regularly can lead to the development of more positive routines and the setting of attainable goals to enact change in your life.

It doesn’t matter what change you want to make in your life, you can start today. Create a plan of action by defining exactly what it is that you want to achieve. Set small, attainable goals in order to compile “wins” that will encourage you to keep going. Once you are comfortable with the routine or changes you have established, push yourself a little more. Becoming your True Self does not happen overnight, it takes effort. People who are on their True Path in life aren’t there because they just “happened” upon it. At some point, they chose to live intentionally and stopped allowing things to happen to them and began making things happen for them.

Freedom To Change offers a way for you to make lasting change in your life and to adapt to the ever-changing version of you—the constant creation of your True Self. You can choose to begin this process at any time, but today is as good a day as any! For more information on the Freedom To Change materials, visit www.freedom2change.org.