I have come to realise that not every new thing is actually an improvement. If something is not broken, then why do you need to fix it? In the world of today, a lot of people believe that things should constantly be upgraded, replaced, or something better should be pursued. What they fail to understand is that not everything that can be changed needs to be changed. Sometimes, people get too engrossed with the need for something bigger or better, while they forget to appreciate what is already working. Imagine abandoning a good opportunity because of the hopes of a perfect one. It is true that you are to hope for the better, but do not destroy the good in the process.
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I have seen a case where someone walks out from a job that he had. The job was paying fairly enough, but he said he needed something better. Even when he was advised against it, and was told that he should get another job before leaving, he said he had made up his mind. He walked out with the hopes that he would get something better quickly. He did that without even have plans to start up a business if the job did not come as quickly as he expected. Sadly, about 1 year has passed, and he is still looking for a job. There are also times that people take decisions because they compare themselves to others and they think that they are not doing well, and they become dissatisfied with what they should have counted as a blessing.
A friend of mine once told me about how she broke up with her boyfriend. She was in a good relationship, the guy loved her and provided for her. Then she met another guy who she thought was more cute, and appeared more attractive and exciting, then she suddenly realised that his current boyfriend was too busy for her. Due to the nature of his work, he was not talking with her much within the day, but they talked well at night when he came back from work and early in the morning before he went to work. Even though they chatted within the day. She started complaining that he does not create time for her and all of that. Then she decided that she wanted better, and she took a walk to be with the other guy. It was not long she entered another relationship and discover that her ex was far better than him. Since then she has been single, and was trying to go back to her ex but it is no longer possible. She walked out from a good relationship because of the hopes of getting a perfect one which did not come.
I once listened to a motivational speaker, and he made a very insightful statement. He said "growth is good, improvement is good, upgrade is good, but it does not mean that you should abandon what you already have and what is already working." There are times that all you need to do is to improve what is already working while protecting its foundation. It is sad that a lot of people have sacrificed something real for something that only looked better from a distance.
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Trust me, the grass may not be greener and fresher on the other side. No wonder it is said that "a bird you have at hand has more worth than two birds which are still inside the bush." This is why you have to cherish what you have, and build on it to become better. When you want a new opportunity, always ask yourself if you are leaving something good without having something better. It is from your answer that you will be able to know if you are to go ahead with the change or if you are to hold on to what you already have.
However, this does not mean that you have to remain stuck at a point. It is worthy to note that if something is genuinely broken, or it is unhealthy, or it is preventing you from making progress, then you should have the courage to change it. But you should know the difference between when something is necessary for a change, and when you are unnecessarily dissatisfied.
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