Life is an Experiment

"When you alter your relationship with yourself, your external world will alter accordingly."
-Katherine Woodward Thomas

I used to visualize this idea as two people carrying a plank (connected in a relationship dynamic.) One day, one person decides not to carry their side (to act or react differently.) Now the second person has to adjust their behavior accordingly. When we no longer act as we used to, naturally people have to act differently around us. If I decide to get healthier, to grow, to change the way I allow others to treat me, naturally it upsets the equilibrium. People around me don't necessarily like it even if they support me. Change can be difficult.

Then should I not change?
You know the answer to that! I cannot keep myself the same for the sake of other people. I then sacrifice my integrity and trust in myself, plus I may be paying a higher cost than I know for playing safe. I may be losing the chance of greater love or expanded experience of life. Plus I am not giving others the chance to grow with me, to change and explore the limitations they have set for themselves. So I endure some discomfort for a time and some friends may fall away but some others may be inspired. I have to allow the external things to do what they will do.
My concern is internal. I must follow my heart, the quiet voice beckoning me on into uncharted territories. Its a natural progression and if I want a different experience than I have had in the past I must forge on in expectation of some discomfort as I break the mold of past conditioning. I may also expect great reward and vistas never before witnessed or experienced by me in my life. The things we leave undone cause us more regret than the things we do, no matter the outcome.
Emerson said "All life is an experiment." Who knows how many days we have left, let us be brave and move beyond our comfort zone. What have you left undone?