Change

Over the last week or so I've been thinking about change and how, no matter how desperately we may want something to remain constant, change is inevitable. Sometimes the changes we experience are forced, sometimes prompted, and also comes by chance; fate or destiny? Yes, maybe that's it. Either way, change happens in ourselves and in everything around us and can be valuable and positive, confronting and even unwelcome dependent upon the circumstances.

It's been five months since I resigned from my previous company and three months since I started with new one. The two months in which I did absolutely nothing except what I wanted to do were much needed and, I believe, helped me transition from a job I knew extremely well into an industry that was new to me. There's been challenges however the change of job and industry has done me a great deal of good; its the challenge that is driving that and the change I made brought the challenge.

It's said that a change is as good as a holiday but...I think whoever made that up never actually had a holiday because it's not true; holidays are awesome! However, it's certainly true that if one is in a situation that isn't healthy, positive, engaging, interesting and so on, then yes, a change can make one feel happy, much like a holiday. Further to that, I believe a change that one actively drives is even better than one that comes by happenstance. It's empowering, uplifting and motivating...things that often circle back upon themselves compounding the benefit.

I read a post recently about a situation a person was in many years ago. It was a bad situation, negative, destabilising and physically and emotionally destructive. It was one of those situations that can fundamentally change a person and there's generally only two possible paths that change may take: Positive or negative.

It's in moments like that when we have a choice to make and the best time to begin to evaluate and plot the course forward is as soon as possible however that's not always possible; circumstances dictate possibilities and opportunities as we know all too well. Imagine the person was a child for instance; change can be difficult to facilitate and so they stay in the situation through lack of the ability to bring change and, years later, are emotionally (sometimes physically) scarred. but...Everything is subject to change...that's the good thing about change.

I always get a feeling of completeness when I spend a few moments watching the sun sink low then dip over the horizon. As the world changes around me I tend to reflect a little more deeply and the bad or negative things from the day don't seem able to reach me as easily. I guess I see change in the setting sun...An end to what was, closure maybe, and the promise of a new dawn in which to begin from scratch, or at least move a little closer to where I'd like to be. Of course, things carry-over from day to day as they do from the past as well...but in that moment I always get the feeling that things can be better and that, for me at least, feeds the thought and attitude that inspires action...The action I'll need to take to bring change no matter what that may be.

I'm subject to change meaning it's often outside my control, much like the pandemic situation for instance, however I am also able to affect change and I do, in myself. Maybe it's boastful of me to say, however I also feel that I help others change at times; not make them change, just help them see that's it's possible, and I feel good about that. It's empowering to know I've assisted someone else to find it in themselves to change for the better; empowering others is, in turn, empowering.

It can be very difficult to change ourselves, incredibly so, however it's possible. I used a Viktor Frankl quote at the beginning of this post and if you know his story you'll agree that change, massive change, in oneself is possible. It starts with thought and attitude, moves through ownership and responsibility then generally carries one forward to a better state of being. The person I mentioned above, that went through that terrible situation has done all of this. No, it hasn't erased the memories, the hurt, fear and anger...but the person has brought great change to themselves, positive change, and that is something to celebrate...and the changes they have made in themselves are being payed-forward and positively affecting others. It's a better cycle than being stuck in a bad place, don't you think?

Life is too precious and far too short to remain stuck in a bad place; it should be lived to its full extent and to the best of one's ability...That's why I live mine by the phrase I end my posts with...Life is there to be designed and created, not tolerated.