The young monk who had just joined the order a few weeks prior was having a personal interview with his teacher. Master he stated, "I have been sitting now for two weeks many hours per day and it has been difficult, so I wonder what are the benefits of me sitting like this for an entire year?" The old master brought her fingers to her chin and pondered for a moment before answering. "The benefits for you, will have been a full year of sitting." The student of course was hoping for something more that he could aim for something that felt substantial. That would make it all worth while.
We live in a world of instant gratification where we are constantly told do this and your life will be much more comfortable. Do we even ask if that is our real goal to simply be more comfortable? Is that your goal?   

This short verse from ancient Chinese Master Lao Tzu's book the Tao Te Ching accurately describes the change process with a strong admonition to be aware of the power of our thoughts, words and deeds. His verse reads as follows: 

Watch your thoughts
They become your words
Watch your words
They become your actions
Watch your actions
They become your character
Watch your character
It becomes your destiny

It is easy to see the progression and he shows us the potential outcome and give us the keys to direct it. The first statement watch your thoughts urges us to simply bring awareness to them. This is a powerful and necessary step that enables us to begin to see the mind as a container of an endless looping story.