Do you know the story of the touchstone? It tells of a fortunate man who was told that, if he should possess the "touchstone," its magical powers could give him anything he wanted. The touchstone could be found, he was informed, among the pebbles of a certain beach. All he need do is pick up a stone -- if it feels warm to the touch, unlike the other pebbles, he has found the magical touchstone.

The man went immediately to the beach and began picking up stones. When he grasped a pebble that felt cold, he threw it into the sea. This practice he continued hour after hour, day after day, week after week. Each pebble felt cold. Each pebble was immediately tossed into the sea.

But then, late one morning, he happened to take hold of a pebble which felt warm, unlike the other stones. The man, whose consciousness had barely registered the difference, tossed it into the sea. He hadn't meant to, but he had formed a habit!

Any behavior that we repeat, we reinforce. If we repeat it often enough, it becomes habit. That, of course, can work to our advantage or work against us, depending on the behavior.

Is there a behavior you would like to make into a habit? Then reinforce it by repeating that behavior at every opportunity. Is there a behavior you wish to change? Then substitute another one and repeat the new one often. In this way you build the kind of life you want... day by day.

From the book, "RICHES OF THE HEART" by Steve Goodier.