Living "as if"

In AA, it is a well known statement "fake it till you make it".....what exactly does that mean? In life we all have many habits and behaviors that we want to change, and grow out of. It takes time, discipline and practice to see those changes manifest themselves into realization. I have learned that changes can happen right now if I "act as if" I were already changed. What is one thing that you want to change in your life? Big or little? Ok. now visualize how would you be behaving differently if you no longer were doing that behavior? What would you be doing? How would you be acting? How would you be feeling about yourself? How would you be spending your time? .....(this really works, so bear with me) Write down what you would be doing differently and how you would be behaving if you were already changed. Now ask yourself what is stopping you from "acting as if" those changes have already happened? Today! why can't you act that way today? I have learned that if "I act as if" these life changes have already occurred, then my life changes really does change for the better and the changes begin to happen. Practicing to walk "as if" in areas of my life, produces discipline and discipline produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character. Before I know it, if I keep at it my practice becomes a reality! Here is a real life example. We got bamboo hardwood floors. I would have liked in a perfect world that they wouldn't get scratched, but we have 6 kids and grandchildren. I knew I was going to have scratches! I wanted to be relaxed about the floors, and not obsess on any scratches that were bound to come about. I visualized what that would look like, how I would act and what I would be like if I were not caring about scratches on the floor, and I began to intentionally act in that way. I purposed myself " to act as if" scratches on the floor were not important. Now 1 year and lots of scratches later, I can say that it works! I really do not care about the scratches...I am relaxed about it, and even view them as memories of fun family times. What could have been a point of stress for me has become a positive experience with warm memories.