Invitation: The Incremental Path
In 2012 there was a prophecy or idea that due to the Mayan Calendar we were going to see a drastic change in the world. The 2012 phenomenon was a range of eschatological beliefs (final events) that cataclysmic or transformative events would occur on or around 21 December 2012.
What does the Mayan Calendar have to do with anything therapeutic you ask? Probably nothing… However, I do believe in the idea of radical changes and incremental changes.
With something like COVID-19 I don’t believe things are going to radically change overnight. On January 1st 2021, we will not see a direct cleansing of the corona virus. And yes I do believe there are radical changes or changes people endure and have experienced; be it death of a loved one, birth of a loved one or any number or stages in life. I would like to differentiate these events and at the same time lump them together with my invitation to honor incremental healing and radical change.
Ryan, that’s a pretty esoteric thought, what are you saying? It’s an invitation to see how you can heal slowly.
Invitation –Creating an incremental view of healing, seeking, treating, and living for you. And seeing the difference of what radical change is too. Being gentle with you.
By taking into account the first invitation, which was incubation or building space and room to develop. And then creating an intention or goal we start to clarify the direction we are going. We now look towards taking the proper steps at being successful at developing not only approachable but successful steps of healing and living through being incrementally.
Redefining a practice of change is the natural and normal healing process. It would be convenient if this redefining process called therapeutic was instantaneous and effortless but that is not how it works. Rather it is incremental.
What are some ways to incorporate healing incrementally?
· Micro adjust your goals into tangible experiences or practical reasons. Right when you have a goal or direction in your healing, take it and cut it in half or a quarter. If your trying to stop Facebook or watching porn. Get an understanding of what you are doing and…then
· Make it doable, an incremental goal or healing needs to be attainable in your eyes…then
· Go towards something rather than identifying what you don’t want. When you set something up in an incremental way a great way to increase the likelihood of success is by going towards a positive than avoiding or abstaining from the negative.
· Grow Slow; anything you are looking at intentionally is important to process at a slow rate. It might occur over a long period of time, but no single step in the process consumes an exorbitant amount of time.
Radical Change
Let's compare incremental to radical change. Radical change refers to a significant shift behind the incremental fundamentals of your healing. It can happen without an explanation or preparation.
Radical change will occur when any of the following conditions are met alone or in combination:
The gap between the current state of affairs and future ones (the planned changes and healing) is great in any number of ways.
There is a transformational shift behind a person’s incremental healing process.
There is a move toward a completely novel state of affairs when it comes to healing and change.
This is why radical change is sometimes called transformation change, fundamental change, or even quantum change.
* Momentary side note – I like to consider both as potentially possible, by priming intention with incremental awareness you are prepared for radical change and what I would like to offer as A Spontaneous Catalyst for healing.
In the context of incremental versus radical change, consider the following questions:
How big is the gap between the future state and the current state?
How different is the future state from the current state?
How much of a departure from the current state is the future state?
These may seem like simple questions, but they are often overlooked.Given this invitation as a sum part of the whole when it comes to healing. it is important to remind you to make it your own. This New Year will provide for you. Please be open to your healing process.
Dr. Ryan Westrum is a clinical psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist that specialize in addiction, trauma, and working to support his clients on the path to healing and transformation. His focus is through a combination of therapeutic integrative techniques that align the body, mind and spirit. You can reach Ryan at ryanwestrum@gmail.com or schedule an appointment at healingsoulsllc.com
