Wave 4: When Life Blows You Over

"Do you know what causes wind?"

"High pressure meeting low pressure. Warm meeting cold. Change. Change causes wind. And the bigger the change, the stronger the wind blows."

I read this in the voice of Annie, the protagonist of Mitch Albom's poignant novel, 'The Next Person You Meet in Heaven'. 19 pages into the book, I found myself feeling the roller coaster of emotions. One minute, you're celebrating Annie and Paulo's idyllic wedding day, the next, you're plunged into the icy grip of death, swept away from the joyous ceremony in a cruel twist of fate.

This profound statement about the causation of wind, perfectly encapsulated the emotional maelstrom I experienced throughout the book (I am at page 33). The suddenness of Eddie’s death, the raw grief, the confusion, and the existential questions that swirled around – it was all a windstorm of emotions, tearing at my heart and leaving me emotional. Yet, amidst the turbulence, there were moments of unexpected beauty, flashes of love and understanding that offered solace and hope, reminding me that even in the face of immense loss, change, and the winds of fate, there is always light to be found.

There's something undeniably powerful about wind, isnt it. It can be a gentle breeze whispering through leaves or a howling gale tearing at your soul. Sometimes it's a welcome change, carrying the scent of rain after a drought, and other times it's a fierce force, leaving us feeling disoriented and adrift.

It reminds us that life is a constant dance of pressure and temperature, of stability and transformation. Every loss, every new beginning, every unexpected turn is a wind that blows through our lives, stirring things up and leaving us changed.

But here's the thing: change doesn't have to be a force to be feared. Just like the wind can carry seeds to new lands, it can also propel us towards greater heights. The key is in harnessing its power, in recognizing the opportunities it brings, and in letting it guide us rather than consume us.

So, what happens when the wind of change blows through your life?

• Find your anchor:?When the winds howl, it's easy to feel lost. But amidst the chaos, remember your values, your strengths, and the things that ground you. These are your anchors, your points of reference that will help you navigate the storm (Toubiana et al., 2022).
• Embrace the unknown:?Change can be scary, but it's also exciting. Clubb & Fan (2021), highlighted three common change-averse mindset: receiver, resistors, and controllers. Instead of viewing change as a force to be feared, see it as an opportunity to break free from routines, explore new possibilities, and discover hidden parts of yourself. Let the wind carry you to uncharted territories.
• Learn to fly:?Don't just stand there, waiting for the wind to die down. Use its energy to propel you forward. Learn from the challenges, adapt to new circumstances, and grow with each gust. Remember, even the strongest winds can't stop a bird that wants to fly.
• Share your journey:?The winds of change don't blow in isolation. They affect everyone around us. Share your experiences, offer support to those facing their own storms, and remember that we're all in this journey together.

Life, like the wind, is unpredictable and ever-changing. But by embracing the force of change, by finding our anchors, and learning to fly, we can not only survive but thrive in the face of its unpredictable gusts. So, let the wind blow, and remember, it's not about weathering the storm, but about using its power to reach new heights.

For now, I will buckle up for a rollercoaster ride as I continue reading on. In the meantime, I hope you can continue to join me on this emotional journey of life, and let's see where the wind takes us!