There is an undeniable constant in our lives…. change. Some of us fear it, or just don’t like it. It can be unsettling, and adjusting to change can be hard when it is forced upon us. Change can be a loss in our lives or it can be a gain. When it’s a loss, it can be hard to come to terms with. When it’s a gain, or we are in control of the change happening, we welcome it wholeheartedly, particularly if it’s something we have wanted.
Whether it’s a desired change or a forced one, seeing it as positive and as a steer for bettering our lives, can help us navigate through difficult periods of change and adjust easier and quicker to it.
I am an advocate of change, I have become a change warrior. I have learnt to expect it and embrace it. I have become more adaptable and pliable and use it as an impetus or seed for growth and strength. I don’t deny that sometimes it scares me and challenges my whole being but I know, ultimately it is moving me forward to where I need to be going.
Change keeps us from being stuck, it helps to move us forward, teaches us lessons, shakes us up, stops us from being complacent and stagnant. Change is natural, it’s how we evolve. It is a force of nature. There is, I believe, an underlying law of the universe which creates collisions of energy throughout our lives, some of this energy is manifested by us, some is the impact of others and their actions.
I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.’ James Dean I remember using this quote many years ago. It resonated with me at the time because it reminded me of the changes I had been through; the death of my beautiful mum, the loss of an unborn baby, a divorce, a career change, lots of house moves. It reminded me how I had coped and adapted but also how I had changed and grown from the experiences. Everything around us is in a state of constant change and movement so it makes sense to learn to flow through it even when we don’t necessarily want it. The wind changes frequently, the tides turn, and if we can learn to adjust the sails to carry us forward without resistance, then change can become our driver (or our sailor) for helping us to reach our true potential. Being comfortable with change and understanding the positive power of it can help us to cope, to make the right decisions when we are thrown a curve ball or faced with a challenge which requires us to rethink our choices or previous decisions. Three years ago, my second marriage ended, I had to move home (again) and I lost my job of 16 years all in the space of 9 months. Another pretty tough time. But I had been through worse and the outcomes were always good. Although tough, this was one of the best years I have had. These life changes moved something inside of me, I found a new inner strength, a new courage that brought out a hidden potential which would possibly have stayed locked in the deepest part of me. It gave me an opportunity to reassess my life, my direction and what I really wanted. It has led me to where I am at the moment (knowing this could change at any time). I have completely redesigned my career, my lifestyle and I am now running my own business, living in a beautiful new home, and doing more of what I want. Seeing change as a new course, a new direction and trusting that it is taking us where we need to go is key. I accept the uncertainty of everything around me, reminding myself to always keep moving, never to take things for granted and never think that what is today, will be the same tomorrow. I am continually adjusting my sails.
How to become a change warrior
• Embrace change, imagine it as an invisible energy that is going to take you to where you need to be. See it as your vehicle for growth. By embracing change and meeting it head on with excitement, you can learn not to be so set in your ways which can help you maintain a more positive attitude
• Adjust your sails, be flexible and adaptable to change. As the wind changes, change your course and go in a direction that feels right. Resistance can be futile
.• Change your thoughts. How we react to a situation can significantly change our experience in a good or bad way. Life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. Change keeps your mind active, refocusing your thoughts so your mind stays active and doesn’t become fixated on negative thought patterns.
• Small changes can make the biggest difference. By altering the way you live your life, even in a small way, change can present opportunities that can have a domino effect, providing you with more choices than you ever dreamed possible—so you can create a more fulfilling and authentic life
• Be fearless of change. Would you really be happy if you were doing the same things in exactly the same way for the rest of your life?. This could mean a dull, extremely predictable, and uninteresting life. That is how your life would be without change. So next time you get the temptation to avoid or resist the change, aim instead to initiate the ones that will lead you to where you want to be.
•Expect Change. It will be coming!
And a final note: Love each moment of your life, welcome each challenge, welcome each change, for the future is yours and your love inside will serve as a guiding light to a better life.
Live Well, live fully, live healthily, live happily
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