Habits

Yesterday, I walked into a music store for the first time in almost a decade. Not much has changed: they sell pretty much the same guitars they were selling a while back and they are still upset if you touch an instrument without asking.

I remember going to the music store every other week while in school. Buying a guitar was a big deal at the time; months of work and saving money. My first impression when I entered the store yesterday was that I couldn’t afford to buy anything at the moment.

After looking at a price tag or two, I laughed and realized I was wrong. I could walk out of the store with the guitar I wanted right away. But still, I was tempted to try out the cheapest one…

I reached in my pocket for a guitar pick, the same way I would find my keys to unlock the door. The thing is, I stopped carrying them many years ago. I did carry them in my pocket all the time, but that was a lifetime ago.

It’s really hard to give up something you’re used to do regularly or to forget the associated feelings. Habits are incredibly powerful. You can either be a victim or use them as a tool.