Soon a habit that once brought pleasure now brings pain, and yet you are still drawn to that pattern. When you find yourself caught up in an old habit or anything that causes pain, immediately stop and put your focus on something else. If you want to lose weight, and you have a habit of eating candy, give yourself something else to eat, like a piece of celery or some fruit. Instead of punishing yourself, accept who you are at this moment, along with all of your habits. Then you will be able to change for the better.
Meditation expands the mind and opens up more options.
We eventually recognize that the ego is only playing the game of Life. Sometimes the games are fierce, sometimes gentle. Because we meditate, we know that it is all illusion, and enjoy it anyway. With meditation, personal power is increased and we have the ability to control our reactions to the games we play. The victim is replaced by the active player who uses discriminating awareness to choose how he or she will play the role he or she must fill.