CHANGES

“Things do not change. We do.” H.D. Thoreau

If there is one constant in life, one thing that occurs, that we have no power over, is change. Change happens whether we want it or not. Sometimes we are agents of change and then there are those times where we are its pawn.

Change is inevitable.

It signals challenges to be overcome, opportunities to learn and discover new things. It happens. And the only part of this entire process that we can have control over, is how we handle change.

The funny part of all of this is that change is a constant companion to our life. We deal with changes in attitudes, changes of thoughts; it appears in the clothes we wear, music we listen to, shows we watch. It is part of the fabric of the workplace, with new employees coming while others are going, either upward or out the door. There is always a new improved plan, to replace the last new and improved plan. The computer changes how we perform our jobs, but even then, it changes. New software, flat screens, faster connection to information, more information about any topic we can think of is at our fingertips.

Yet we treat change as an enemy, as something to fear. We are hesitant to embrace change, mostly because it is the unknown, but also because it is different. Instead of treating the differences as an opportunity to learn, to grow and develop new talents, ideas and skills, we hunker down and draw a line in the sand. For that’s all it is, an imaginary wall build to ward off the prospect of change.

We change tires, change our socks, change the channel, change our hairdo, change diapers, change our address, change our number, change our mind, change our friends, but accept change, well, that’s another story.

But we can beat change at its own game.

We can embrace it! We can learn from it, and inevitably profit from it. We can use change to grow new opportunities, to be exposed to new ideas, new experiences, which will help us further develop our talents. And the chances to step out of our shells, get off our best intentions, and DO.

See, here is the secret. We change a bit every day. We are exposed to new people, new sounds, new ideas, new books, and bit by bit, we are not the same person we were last week, last month, or last year. Because all living things change. It’s a part of life.