A Simple Pattern Is Not Necessarily Easy

Developing a pattern isn’t as easy as it seems. They seem easy to create when they’re simple. However, simple is not necessarily easy. 

Patterns are visible when they occur in art, and invisible when they show up in behaviors. Both come from the practice of repetition.
Because of this:

when patterns show up in behaviors, they become habits.

The pattern that I sketched out above with watercolor was just a practice to get a feel for certain brushes. But it came with a message that I’m using as a metaphor for habits. 

Since we’re now in February, and the Full Moon is here, I’m thinking about all the plans made for New Year behavior changes. Behaviors that people want to improve, remove, or even perfect. 

I, for one, want to cut back on eating sugar. It’s prompted by a desire to improve my health. It’s not exactly new or original, but I know I’m not alone. I also know you’ve seen all the wellness ads, courses, food plans, and other assorted offerings for the well intentioned. 

With those intentions, January has come and gone. Where are those sugar reducing goals now? Whether a plan has been enacted or not, the truth is it’s not easy, it takes focus. Which brings me back to patterns. 

When starting this quick study above, the alignment wasn’t quite right, the colors were uneven, and some shapes lost their intended form. I didn’t like it. The photo isn’t even showing the entire sketch. It shows only the part I thought “worked” or felt okay about.

Feeling terrible about wasted energy happens when a pattern in behavior misses it’s desired effect. The cookie made it into the pattern causing disruption and disappointment. The tempting response is to give up. Throw out the plan. Ignore the outcome.

But with watercolor, the paint drys fast. Everything is on record. The pattern is exposed. Imperfection can be used as information for the next attempt tomorrow. 

With watercolor, it’s important to:

keep going no matter the results of previous attempts,

continue adding your own special approach

practice daily with consistency and patience 

until the pattern begins to reflect the desired intentions,

until it works.

By “works” I mean it feels right. It appeals to you. That’s when the pattern has a chance of fitting into your life. If a pattern is repeated, and it doesn’t find that sweet spot of satisfaction, it’s time to modify the pattern that fits better, feels better, and leads to success and sustainable habits.

But where to find this magic pattern?

But where to find this magic pattern? It lives in your own subconscious where old responses to triggers live. With Image Hypnotherapy, new responses appear to the mind by finding a bridge. A bridge to a time when success came with satisfaction.  And then using that satisfaction to build a new behavior. Consequently, you are able to incrementally replace an existing habit with a new one.

*It’s always easier to replace a habit than it is to erase it.  

*C. Roy Hunter, The Art of Hypnotherapy

What is more beneficial for you is inside yourself. It might not be the chocolate that’s to blame. Willpower is not a sustainable action. Instead, a pattern that fits you, that feels right for your life is waiting to be found. And when discovered, the pattern begins to convert itself. With daily consistency and patience the pattern becomes a successful habit.

May you find your magic pattern!