In a effort to live more consciously, we just got our baby chicks to have a little bit of farm life in the city.   We should have eggs in about 6 months!  They are so cute and I really enjoying loving on these sweet creatures. When I look at them, I can’t help but think back to science class and learning abut imprinting.  I remember learning about how geese imprinted on the first creature they see after they hatched. And there’s no changing it!   (If you are a Twilight fan this may ring a bell too.)

Today, it made me then start thinking about conditioning.  This is totally learned.  So, while I was not there for their birth, I’m trying to condition them to not peck me when I go in their coop.  I want them to like to be picked up and think of humans as friendly.  I want them to welcome me into their surroundings.

So, like these baby chicks, ultimately we need to uncondition ourselves to the things we want to change about ourselves.  Maybe you have heard the term neuroplasticity to describe the human mind.  We always have the ability to change an unwelcomed habit.

Whatever it is, we have the ability to mold our actions in another direction. We just need to start the change. I have always heard it takes 2 weeks of doing something to make it a habit. Some studies say longer. I say make it small. If you want to stop eating meat, stop one type of meat for 2 weeks.  If you want to detox, eliminate 1 food for 1 week before you eliminate them all.  If you want to exercise more, start walking for 10 minutes a day and work up to 30. Baby steps are big.  It took years if not a lifetime to form the habit you want to change. You are most likely not going to change it overnight!  Be patient with yourself.  Condition yourself like you would a small baby chick! 🙂

Konrad Lorenz and his geese demonstrating imprinting.