change by reason, by emotion

Most of us can look at ourselves and see aspects we would like to improve upon. We have little difficulty identifying areas of growth i.e. we know we could be kinder, healthier, more compassionate, more grounded, more at peace.  Yet, close to the same amount of us have much trouble effecting those changes. We rationally know what to do but that rational understanding does not lead to change. If rational understanding were enough, many more people would be closer to their best selves, and the world would correspondingly improve.

So, identifying the needed change is not enough. Still, working in the field of change, the most common approach appears to be along these lines. "If I can just get this person to see that they need to be more compassionate, studious, respectful, mature, responsible, etc., they would then make the change and be so." But, since most people generally know what changes need to take place, most of us struggle with the process. "Why can't I change though it's clear that I need to change? I should exercise more. Eat better. Drink alcohol less." More than rational understanding needs to happen. Something deeper needs to take place for the change to happen. 

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