WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT CHANGE
IS THAT IT'S A SYNONYM FOR 'HOPE'.
IF YOU ARE TAKING A RISK, WHAT YOU ARE REALLY SAYING IS,
'I BELIEVE IN TOMORROW AND I WILL BE A PART OF IT'.
(Linda Ellerbee)
My usual response to change is similar to the tortoises': they pull their heads into their shells, wait a beat or two before peeking out and making sure it's safe to emerge and continue chomping on romaine or basking in the sun.
Now, while I enjoy a good salad and spending time outdoors, I - unfortunately! - don't have an actual shell to hunker down in when the world turns weird or scary or just plain ornery. (My version of a shell includes chocolate, books, pillows and blankets, and some old TV shows.) To me, the word "change" always carried a negative connotation - bad things, sad things, worries, fears, anxieties, stresses. I rarely, if ever, thought of change as good. (And let's face it, not all change is good. Sometimes we do need to hunker down, those times when it's less about hiding and more about protecting yourself and your spirit.)
But I wonder, after reading this quote, if maybe I duck my head inside a little too quickly? What if I looked around a moment and considered the possibilities? What if I started looking at change as an opportunity? An opportunity for growth and improvement, for lessons to be learned? Maybe even for laughter, for fun?
I think this new attitude will be a great companion for my Year of Yes journey, and I think I'll give it a try.
How do you all view change - positively, negatively? When you hunker down, what's your "shell" like?
*****
I wish you all a happy, healthy, creative New Year! Happy 2013, everyone!
I'm a creature of habit and rarely saw change as something good. But over time, and as I grew older, I learned to see positive.
ReplyDeleteStill don't like it when my wife moves the furniture though.
I don't like change. I resist change. As much as I know I need to be open to it, I still prefer to hide under my desk and wait for it to go away. Maybe 2013 will be the year I stop doing that...
ReplyDeleteAlex - I'm a creature of habit, too. I'm learning, though, that while there are definite positives to a routine, I think it's too easy for a routine to turn into a rut.
ReplyDeleteMJ - I'm not going to be all "whoo hoo, yeh change!" or anything like that. I'm just going to try and be more open to it. If I can do it, you can, too - give it a try!
I love change. I guess that's what makes me an atheist/agnostic person. Most people of faith that I know really despise change. Which kind of makes sense since they've had the creation of the world explained to them and figure that's all they need to know about by the time they are ten years old. I just can't understand that outlook "I know everything I need to know about the creation of the universe so I'm good!"
ReplyDeleteMichael - interesting pov. For me, change is more about fear of the unknown than anything else. I'm open to learning and growing and even changing...if it's gradual and I'm ready for it, which isn't usually how change works. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing the step daughter of a Marine, I grew up with a ton of change--all the time. It has actually taken me a very long time to learn to stay still :-) We all have our particular lessons to learn I suppose. But I have to say, your shell sounds lovely, this is exactly what I like to do when I'm taking a break from it all.
ReplyDeleteRebecca - it's so true, isn't it, about each of us having different lessons to learn? But I do love my shell! :)
ReplyDeletei used to see a move/change as positive
ReplyDeletebut technology change drives me nuts! there is such a thing as too much! why do i have to update my gadgets so often?!
happy new year!
Tara - tech changes and updates are a whole different story! Happy New Year to you! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect quote for the New Year! I love it. Love your Year of Yes journey too.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a great 2013. Happy New Year!
Julie - happy New Year to you, too! :)
ReplyDelete