The Catalyst

The previous topic was a definition of change. The process of moving from one state /form to another requires the action, called change. 

Now that you have had some time to think of a change that occurred in your life let me share a general, an overlooked change that is totally unconscious. The process of aging is an unconscious example of change. Most of us just go through life not realizing that we are constantly changing.  A conscious act of change is a direct effort to alter something in your life.

So did you think of an unconscious or conscious change? The exercise of mentally going through your own changes is the key to discovering the cause of, or for a change. This causation is a “catalyst”.

Personal Example: I decided not to let my sense of taste control me. I became more tolerant of foods that I disliked; simply by accepting what was on my plate (with the exception, my food allergies). One positive change was I started really enjoying food more. The down side was that I had to learn to tolerate certain foods or tastes that seemed unpalatable. This personal experience took some effort but then a ripple of unconscious good results occurred.  (My first list of cons outnumbered the pros but that turned out quite different later for me, now that I have revisited that particular adjustment in my life).

So what caused me to make a conscious effort in my personal example? The catalyst for my need to adjust how I approached eating was from my lack of eating healthier foods. Having a sense of one’s own taste is great and food is individually experienced, and my wish was to put that sense behind what I considered important, the company around me.

So let’s look at what a catalyst means. Catalyst is a noun and it precedes a verb, and the verb of interest here is Change.  Catalyst refers can be used in a scientific way, as in chemistry, which is not relevant in this case, or when a catalyst (for something) a person or thing that causes a change, to quote the Oxford Dictionary.

Reflection - Catalyst

Now that you have completed the first exercise, the Change Recognition, revise your noted changes, and think what was the catalyst for your change.

If you are having trouble naming the catalyst, revise the pros and cons and think of the time, place and situation that created this change. You may come up with many reasons, but a catalyst is the main cause. This may take some time, so I suggest that you sit back and relax and go through the sequence of reasons and focus on the main source of the change you noted.  In a relaxed, reflective mind, you will discover the source (catalyst) for your change.