Yes, we all agree…
that the only constant is change. The nature of that change, however, is important to determine if we are going to adapt or get stuck.
Things change because they naturally evolve, age, transform, improve, and/or deteriorate with time.
Other circumstances change because someone or something else has initiated that change and we are directly or indirectly affected by it.
Then there is the change that happens because we have initiated it, and that includes having done nothing to prepare for it, or refusing to accept change thereby affecting your near or distant future.
More often than not we have surrendered our options by choosing inaction.
We Expect the Good Times to Stay
When things are good in our lives we don’t recognize it as change. We see it as us making it to the finish line. Achieving our goals, making our dreams come true, finally receiving the rewards of our hard work.
Or maybe we just got super lucky.
Either way we expect the good times to stay. We feel as though we have reached a certain level in our lives and that that’s where we will stay.
Not so.
Change is always just around the corner.
Acceptance
The first step in adapting to life’s detours is acceptance. Resistance, refusal, and straight-out denial are the most time-consuming reactions to changes we’re not ready for, expecting, or do not want.
Sometimes you just have to acknowledge the changes and proceed.
Other times we take on changes that don’t belong to us. Let friends or family figure out their own lives.
Then there are times that something we did or didn’t do in the near or distant past has come to pass.
In all cases acceptance will allow a clearer head to prevail.
Embrace the Change
Once change is here, the next step is to embrace it. Good or bad.
I’m not saying to be grateful when things don’t go as planned, or pretty much crush your work and resolve, no, I’m saying it happened. Fighting something that has already happened is a losing battle.
Embracing the change, after accepting those changes, is finding ways to process, see the collateral benefits or blessings, and coming out stronger, wiser, better.
Even if that better is the fact that you survived.
Reflect on What Has Changed
Okay, so the circumstances of your life have changed. The nature of the change is irrelevant.
Reflect on what happened, what has changed, and find any positives.
For example. I am constantly moving and feel a compulsion to be productive at all times. It is very hard for me to just sit and relax without guilt even if I have already checked off many items for the day.
Watching my grand kids gives me an excuse to rest when we have some downtime. Without the usual guilt.
Possibly because while they are resting, I am watching over them, so I feel as if I am doing something.
Doing nothing is actually doing something which is not good if you are avoiding your life, but beneficial if you choosing it, is really self-preservation.
“Embrace change. True success can be defined by your ability to adapt to changing circumstances.”
Connie Sky
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