Michael

During my flight from Denver to Chicago today, I was watching the cloud formations. I’m always fascinated by them, just like watching a fire or the ocean waves. I think it’s because they endless change and never seem to be exactly the same.

Watching the clouds got me thinking about change and how most of us don’t really enjoy change. But, everything around us, including our own bodies, is in a constant state of change or flux. Nothing is ever the same. Change really is the constant in the universe.

So, why do we fight it so much? Why can change be so uncomfortable? For me, change represented the future, the unknown. I was fearful of that. For others, I’m wondering if change means more “work.” It’s easier to do the same thing everyday. Our lives feel more ordered. We believe that we have more control. For some, change represents the external world exerting it’s influence into our internal, personal world. We feel less in control. It makes us uncomfortable and for many a victim mentality can surface.

I worked for a great manager many years ago (1993 to be exact) and he had a quote on his door that stated, “Just because everything is working fine, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t change it.” It started me on my quest to accept change. It was a long road. I had to let go of many preconceived beliefs and ways of doing things. I had to face fears and learn to relax in uncomfortable situations. But, it was worth it. I celebrate change now and have turned the fear and anxiety into excitement and curiosity.

I believe that life really started for me after that.

Michael