I loved the concept of behavior redemption. What you described here made me think of what Arthur Brooks (a happiness expert—and a devout Catholic) says about resolutions for the new year. He talks about it in his recent book (co-written with Oprah), but here's the same idea from his most recent newsletter:
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Many self-help guides suggest making a bucket list on January 1 or your birthday, so as to reinforce your worldly aspirations. Making a list of the things you want is temporarily satisfying, because it stimulates dopamine. But it creates attachment, which in turn spurs dissatisfaction, as we just learned.
Consider instead making a “reverse bucket list.” This is what I now do each January 1 and again on my birthday, I list my wants and attachments—those that fit under Thomas Aquinas’s definition of worldly idols (money, power, pleasure, and honor). I try to be completely honest. I don’t list stuff I would actually hate and never choose, like a sailboat or a vacation house. Rather, I go to my weaknesses, most of which—I’m embarrassed to admit—involve the admiration of others for my work.
Then, I imagine myself in five years. I am happy and at peace, living a life of purpose and meaning. I make another list of the forces that would bring me this happiness: my faith, my family, my friendships, the work I am doing that is inherently satisfying and meaningful and that serves others.
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It's behavior redemption in a way. I loved the ending of your piece too: "You are the problem; you can’t also be the solution. God can take any broken person and redeem them. Our task is to let Him do that by cooperating with Him every step of the way."
Yes sir! I think the goal is ultimately to focus in on what God wants for us and what will make us more like Him—then let Him do the transformative work! Thanks for sharing, bro!
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing this. Always very good for application.
Glad it was helpful!
I loved the concept of behavior redemption. What you described here made me think of what Arthur Brooks (a happiness expert—and a devout Catholic) says about resolutions for the new year. He talks about it in his recent book (co-written with Oprah), but here's the same idea from his most recent newsletter:
**
Many self-help guides suggest making a bucket list on January 1 or your birthday, so as to reinforce your worldly aspirations. Making a list of the things you want is temporarily satisfying, because it stimulates dopamine. But it creates attachment, which in turn spurs dissatisfaction, as we just learned.
Consider instead making a “reverse bucket list.” This is what I now do each January 1 and again on my birthday, I list my wants and attachments—those that fit under Thomas Aquinas’s definition of worldly idols (money, power, pleasure, and honor). I try to be completely honest. I don’t list stuff I would actually hate and never choose, like a sailboat or a vacation house. Rather, I go to my weaknesses, most of which—I’m embarrassed to admit—involve the admiration of others for my work.
Then, I imagine myself in five years. I am happy and at peace, living a life of purpose and meaning. I make another list of the forces that would bring me this happiness: my faith, my family, my friendships, the work I am doing that is inherently satisfying and meaningful and that serves others.
**
It's behavior redemption in a way. I loved the ending of your piece too: "You are the problem; you can’t also be the solution. God can take any broken person and redeem them. Our task is to let Him do that by cooperating with Him every step of the way."
Yes sir! I think the goal is ultimately to focus in on what God wants for us and what will make us more like Him—then let Him do the transformative work! Thanks for sharing, bro!