Why it is so difficult to give up some bad habits!

I have travelled a lot these years of my animation as General councilor of the Capuchin Order and have gained a lot of experiences during the journeys. You come across a lot of people and when you watch or see them doing or saying something which is odd and not so good to see and hear, you begin to wonder why these people do like this. Most of us who have bad habits are very creative, intelligent, hardworking and very pushy type of people, this does not mean that we are perfect and holy people, we carry deep within some defects, brokenness and, weakness and distractions. When others who know us see our bad habits begin to question themselves how is it possible for a person of such caliber to go on with so many bad habits. Some of these men and women are very professionals and have a great standing and appreciation for their work but their bad habits are scandalous to the children, family and colleagues. Their bad habits have tremendous bad influence on the others. 

 While traveling in Train or bus where one is not allowed to smoke cigarettes, so one waits to reach to a station to alight and smoke cigarettes, I have seen them very desperate. Ten minutes before the station could arrive these persons are just ready with cigarettes and matchbox in hand to light a cigarette. Many others who smoke see them and do the same….this is not exaggeration but you can observe for yourself. 

 Some of these bad habits become part of our system and we are not aware or able to over come because these habits take control of our lives….they decide and tell us what, when and how much to do….they just make us slaves…the grip is so tight that all the techniques don’t work at all to give them up….To overcome these habits what I think best is to identify them, take a decision to eradicate or remove our system….it could be also good to write down all our habits in a small diary…name them…write a short history of each one of them…what bad effects each one of them had on you….what harm they have done….then draw your attention to each one of them…you will realize that they have been a stumbling blocks for many of our achievements and success in human life. 

 We have to find a substitute for a bad habit….i was taught in my initial formation that while meditating if one falls asleep, one needs to move out and walk a little bit, or wash your face with cold water etc….it worked with me….i was able to overcome this bad habit….do something different than these habits which are harmful…like smoking a cigarette could be replaced with eating something or drinking some juices…you will not suddenly achieve success but slowly you will realize that many of these habits lose control over us and we are what we are suppose to be,,,,be realistic and don’t worry about the failed attempts…disappointments will be there to knock you down…but look forward for the positive results to make life bad habits free…