Moving Forwards with Purpose
The Challenge of Change
A change is a good as a rest. Have you heard that expression before? It implies that change is good for us. A change in location. A change in routine. A change in our circumstances. But, if change is supposedly so good for us, why do we take so many measures to resist it?
Perhaps it’s because we really don’t like change at all.
In fact, we much prefer life to be as predictable as possible. It’s the major changes in life that we tend to find most stressful. Moving house. Coping with the demise of a loved one. Separation or divorce. These forms of change can trigger major stresses in our psychological equilibrium and even lead to depression and physical illness. And this is ironic because, for most of our existence, it’s our adaptability as a species that helped us to face extremely challenging environmental threats - and survive.
In ancient times, our ancestors worshipped the elements because they felt powerless in the face of storms, floods, volcanic eruptions, droughts and all manner of physical dangers. Without the means to explain these naturally-occurring phenomena, they resorted to ritual – even human sacrifice – in their attempts to win the favour of the gods and avert disaster.
Change was interpreted as potentially dangerous. Unexpected changes could interfere with the cultivation of crops and the health of livestock. As civilisation took root, our distant forebears identified new forces such as the deities associated with agriculture, learning, the priesthood, art – and, of course, war.
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old,
but on building the new.
— Socrates
Knowing the future in order to minimise the apparent risks of change has spawned a vast industry of seers, psychics, astrologers and diviners who will happily forecast your future for a suitable fee. These traditions share a long history and they’ve been around for at least six thousand years, tracing their origins to the rise of the first civilisations. Despite the survival into modern times of this ancient desire to know what the future holds, we should interpret this interest as a simple reaction to the uncertainty of our lives. In short, we really don’t like change and we’re rarely comfortable with surprises.
Even today, in our technologically-advanced world, this natural, inherited, cultural resistance to change can make life very stressful. Perhaps this would be a good moment to acknowledge the simple but inescapable fact that change is the natural way of the world. Everything is changing – all the time. You. Me. Everyone. Everything. Nothing – absolutely nothing – remains fixed and static, despite outward appearances. Change is the natural condition of the universe. Nothing escapes its influence. So, let’s see if we can adopt a more positive attitude towards change and recognise that we’ve been resisting the natural order of things for far too long.
Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.
– Jim Rohn
So, so how can we take the sting out of an unwelcome change in our circumstances? In the first instance, it’s important to recognise that dealing with life’s major upheavals can be made much easier when you have a close, supportive group of people around you to help you cope with the stress. Having a source of practical advice and a nurturing circle of emotional support can make the world of difference. We are highly-socialised animals with a high degree of dependency on other humans for our wellbeing. We turn to others for care, understanding and guidance when our world is under threat. So, it’s highly recommended that you share your plight with those who are most likely to help you during your hour of crisis. Good friends and loving family members can lift you up and get you back on your feet after a particularly difficult setback.
In the aftermath of a traumatic change, there may be situations where professional guidance really is the best source of effective help and support and we should all be willing to consult a well-qualified therapist to provide us with the calm, objective and appropriate help we need.
Life is about change. Sometimes it's painful. Sometimes it's beautiful.
But most of the time, it's both.
— Lana Lan
If you’re seeking a more permanent answer to coping with change, you’ll likely to find your answer in an unexpected location. At a deeper level, by cultivating a profound sense of personal identity that is no longer dependent on your external circumstances, you will discover a solid foundation over which the tides of change may storm and rush – whilst leaving you unmoved and untouched. This concept has endured for thousands of years and it informs many philosophical traditions, including the ancient Greek school of the Stoics.
When we strip away the layers of the superficial and explore the dimensions of the deeper self, we enter a world that is no longer conditioned by the vagaries of external circumstances. We are in the world yet we are no longer blown around by the winds of change. There is a part that is immovable and this is the part of ourselves that endures. It may be a strange and unfamiliar concept to our modern perceptions, but the underlying potential for inner peace and calm is as relevant today as it was in the distant past when the ideas were first tested.
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
— Leo Tolstoy
This is perhaps the greatest gift that change bestows. It calls upon us to seek the deeper part of ourselves that changes in its own way and in its time without respect of external conditions or influences.
Are you ready for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life. It’s fun and it’s surprisingly effective. Perhaps it’s time for you to discover how you can enjoy your life on a whole new level of happiness and wellbeing.
Greg Parry created The Wellness Foundation and the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.
If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.
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