Every action gives rise to an experience and the experience gets embedded in us as memory. If the experience is pleasant, there is a tendency to repeat it again and again until it becomes a habit.
If it is painful, it gets into the slot of a painful memory, preventing us from further action that is expected to give rise to the painful experience.
However, if one persists in repeating the action, even though it is initially painful, because we know it will be good for us, for example, taking bitter medicine or else leading a disciplined life, then the way of life becomes a habit and later on even something pleasant and good for us.
In other words, whatever we repeat a few times becomes a habit.
Therefore, we should deliberately develop good habits even if it is initially unpleasant.
Similarly, shunning bad habits requires a strong will and a constant reminder that the thing is not good for us.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
