Change

What is it about change that freaks people out?

If I change something in my life, is it really that threatening to you? If I change, then something in your own life automatically changes. But change can be a good thing, not just something negative.

Some people use change in others’ lives or in their circumstances to make changes for the better in their own. Others decide to continue a pattern of change once they have made one. Still others are adamant they will not change, even though in truth, we all change based on what we experience, who we are around, what we allow into our systems mentally, emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically, and so forth.

Change can be a very good thing even when it comes from a place we don’t like or agree with.

I could get into myriad examples, but will leave you with one:

Say your next door neighbor is known for her long, luxurious red hair. For years, you have admired it and heard the neighbors do the same. Yet, say that today she decides to get her hair cut into a pixie and dyed blonde. At first you don’t recognize her as she walks up your driveway to say hello. Once you do, you choose to either respond positively or negatively. You realize that this is something you will need to get used to.

Simplistic as the above example is, it shows the power of choice and of change. When someone makes a choice it affects those around her whether or not she realizes it. When that change happens, others will either accept or try to reject the change that has taken place. They can embrace or run.

On a larger scale, this can be seen as corporations close their doors, as brands change their identifiers, as people make life-altering decisions that are more important than a mere haircut.

Yet let’s look at the haircut situation again…

If your neighbor is known for her hair because she is a hair model, then it changes the picture dramatically. If she is known for it because she has five red-headed children, this also changes the way we look at the haircut. Circumstances, environments, and relationships matter when it comes to how we perceive change in others’ lives, and in our own.

We don’t need to avoid change. Change is inevitable. Sometimes we must embrace it, go with the flow, get in alignment with what is happening. Sometimes we can use negative change to create a positive impetus for different change.

Some things to remember:

• ·        Change is nothing to fear. What we do – or refuse to do – with it is up to us.
• ·         We can serve as change agents for good even when things look bleak.
• ·         If we embrace change, befriend it, accept its inevitability, fear loses control over us in this area.
• ·         Change can be positive or negative, and often it is because of spin rather than circumstance that we see it that way.