Embracing the Power of Change

Have you ever seen a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis? (If not watch the time lapse video below - very interesting process).

Notice how upon emerging from its chrysalis that it shows no attempt to re-enter the cocoon that acted as a housing chamber while it transitioned from its larvae state. Though the amount of time the insect is in chrysalis varies dependent on several environmental factors, the truth remains that same that once it has emerged, it's life will never be the same as before when it was a larvae.

Like a larvae, we as human beings will also go through transformational changes throughout life that are life-altering. Some of these changes come by our own choice, while others are due to social, environmental, and other external factors that are outside of our own control. When these changes come, will we, like the butterfly, emerge from our metaphorical cocoons with the intent to climb back in and hope everything will go back to how it was? Or, will we climb out of the metaphorical cocoon with the intentions to accustom ourselves to the new changes?

Now, I am not suggesting that we should merely accept every change that comes our way and deem it to be the best for us, for sometimes it is not. But what I am implying is that change is inevitable, and we have the choice within us of how we are to face the changes that come our way in a healthy manner that helps us to adapt and learn. By embracing change, not in a wrestle, but as if it were an old friend, we find inner power within ourselves to confidently face the challenges that are presented along our own path of life. My life is different than yours, and I'm still learning myself how to embrace change in the way that suits me best, but we are all on the same path that challenges us to view change not as an enemy but as an opportunity for growth.

So, how do we learn how to embrace change in a positive manner? How do we change our pattern of thought to more readily receive change in our lives? How do make "change" our future choice?

I believe the answer to these questions, which are self reflective questions to explore a desired or future state, lies in each of our own individual pasts.

Our individual past contains the experiences and lessons learned that have framed our current way of thinking, feeling and acting which contribute to our habits and thereafter, nature. By exploring the past, in an orderly and healthy manner, we can identify key personal experiences, and lessons that contribute to our current relationship with change. I've included a process below that we can each use to go through this process:

1. Self Reflection Questions - Why do I want to change in....(insert situation and circumstance details)? How am I doing at responding to change when...(insert situation and circumstance details)? What is my current relationship with change?
2. Identify Barriers to Change - What patterns of thought are hindering me from making the leap of change? Are there any relationships in my life right now that are obstructing me from changing...(insert desire change)? Are there any experiences from my past, remembered or forgotten, that are contributing to my lack of desire and/or action to change?
3. Focus on the "One" - Change takes time, and this life is full of the resource of time, if we use it wisely. We shouldn't rush into several different habits we want to change on a whim, we should exercise patience and self-love in recognizing our brains aren't very good at multitasking; for multitasking divides your attention on several tasks rather than having your whole attention focused on one task at a time. Take the time to figure out what is your "one" and let your whole care, time, and attention be devoted to this one thing that you grow exponentially over a period of time.
4. Remove and Replace - When removing a negative, replace it with a positive. Some people really struggle with negative self-talk so by removing statements made to one self such as "I hate myself", it can then be replaced with "I'm a good person and I love myself for who I am."
5. Rinse and Repeat - A relapse is when we give up, while a lapse is a short-term stumbling that takes place. When we make a mistake, realize that the world is not over, there is something we can learn from our mistake, and we can try again. Incremental change is sometimes viewed as image A when it is actually what is shown in image B.

Image A:

Image B:

I believe that change is easier to adapt to when we proactively take measures to change ourselves, rather than waking up one day to find change in our face. Change is a choice we can choose to accept and receive on a daily basis. The way we receive change and choose to change doesn't just affect us, it affects everyone within our social circle. If we react negatively to it, it can rub off on others and vice versa. I invite all of us to receive the gift of change in our lives, one step at a time. The ability to change is a gift, let us live with contentment today while aspiring for greater things through the process of change, moment by moment.