Albert Einstein said, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I think that’s a very good definition and, by this definition we are probably all a little bit insane. We fall into patterns of behavior; some which serve us and some which don’t. My habit of swimming and yoga is good and serves me well. Some of my other habits are not good and only drag me down.

So what is one to do? Keep what works and change what doesn’t. Easier said than done, I’m afraid. Do you feel something is missing in your life, or something is not going the way you want it to? Take a look at what is working and what is not. Be strong and courageous and throw out what is not working. Take a risk to try something new; a new way of being and a new way of doing. Is it easy? No. Will you slip and fall? Yes, but get up and keep trying. Make life work for you.

And what about the things you have no control over? Your partner, your children, your boss. You can’t change them, the only person you have control over is you. So you can change your attitude. It’s up to you. Life is not a bowl of cherries; it’s a bowl of choices, including attitude. Take a risk and look at things from a different perspective. And get a new attitude about life.

If insanity really is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, I’m ready to stop.