Dealing with Change

Change. Many people, myself included, do not willingly embrace change, especially if we aren’t given a choice or say in the matter beforehand. However, the challenge of change is a constant. We can learn to adapt or become stagnant.

One of many lessons in The Lion King is “change is good, but it’s not easy.”

In January, I learned that my business would be restructuring, resulting in a loss of income. In many ways, what I do will not change, but there was a mourning period and there is a need to make up that income. With any change, we have a choice. We can grow with the change or attempt to avoid or ignore it.

You can react with fear and resistance. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s important to experience the grieving process in any big change. It’s NOT okay to be stuck in fear. This reaction often leads to failure or complacency. 

Maybe you are reluctantly accepting of the change. Things are happening and you plan to stay the course, but you aren’t excited about it. This is a place of going through the motions. This is also where many people get stuck.

Perhaps you are the type of person who readily embraces the challenge of change and learning new things. New opportunities excite and motivate you. 

John Maxwell said, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” Think about it. Every new thing you’ve tried included changing. Even if things come easily to you, you adapted in some way. 

Mark Twain continues to challenge our thinking with the following words: “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”

I do not readily embrace change but I do enjoy new opportunities. I do not believe in “getting what I deserve” but I believe in making the most of every gift.