Accepting change

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” ~Karen Kaiser Clark

I think for those of us “older” folks embracing change, (whatever that may be) is a challenging task. We are deeply rooted in our habits, down to ways of thinking.

When something comes along pulling us out of that comfortable world….we either fight or flight.

All my life I’ve had to deal with shifts in thoughts, action, and feelings stemming from a dramatic circumstance. Sometimes life moves faster than what we are willing to accept.

Whether it be a new job, a new relationship, illness, anything which shakes us to the core creates a static resistance.

In accepting change we can grow, but only if we are receptive. Perhaps past griefs and mistakes make us hesitant to move forward because we place so much emphasis on the past.

When we deny change (especially if it could be positive) has its costs. It can cost us our peace of mind and ultimately our health.

Whatever the catalyst was to create internal dissension has to be reexamine.  Living life this way is simply miserable.  Sometimes it’s therapeutic to write things down, the positive and negative points of what changes are about to happen and those you are currently going through.  Check to see what you can live with and what parts of your life need removal. Sounds simple in theory but acting upon it…well…that’s the kicker.  Sometimes we tend to stick with things we know, even if it’s bad for us because it is “the familiar.” The question you have to ask yourself is this: What can I live with?

Yes, it’s that simple:

“There are things I can’t force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.” ~ Denis Diderot

Another year older

As I am often wont to do, I reflect back on the past year when my birthday comes around. I think about my accomplishments….my failures and check to see if I “learned” anything from them.

I realized I am not the same person I was a year ago or even a few months. I like to think I would always have room to learn and grow…to still figure out “who” and “what” I am.

I am more than just a daughter, sister, mother, and wife. Am more than an employee…veteran. I am all these things and even more.

It’s been a difficult year in some aspects, culminating a few weeks ago when I received a health scare. I realize that I need to worry less and enjoy life more. At times I’ve felt quite overwhelmed, hormonal, waiting for change….something to pick me up and move me forward.

However, only I can do that.

I think quite a few of us, come up with good-intentions–resolute to create an even better year as our birthdays roll around.

Whatever our goals, we must never discount the many times we’ve succeeded (no matter if deemed quite small)….each action, each instance builds itself up into who and what we are today.

“Think of your life as an hourglass. You know there are thousands of grains of sand in the top of the hourglass; and they all pass slowly and evenly through the narrow neck in the middle. Nothing you or I could do would make more than one grain of sand pass through this narrow neck without impairing the hourglass. You and I and everyone else are like this hourglass…if we do not take [tasks] one at a time and let them pass…slowly and evenly, then we are bound to break our own…structure.”
― Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Celebrating Life…

Sometimes when I read the news and realize how sad the world state of affairs can be I remind myself how precious life is, joyous…sometimes when I watch the news I just want to cry…the desolation I see in people’s faces…the war, famine, poverty…makes the mind reel and the heart ache…

So I always try to count my blessings, realize that despite the formidable odds out there…we should always try to find hope.  Perhaps far too altruistic for some…however for myself I need to believe in this…that human beings are basically good at heart.  That we need to come together and just celebrate life.