We all have a unique way of communicating our story, a way that reflects our life experience. The photographer uses a camera, the artist a brush, and the musician a melody or rhythm. But as the years go by our story changes. We look through a different filter, paint with a different color, sing a different song or feel a different rhythm. This past June family members came from all over the country to celebrate my son's graduation from high school. While sitting on the baseball field with picturesque mountains in the background, memories of parenting flooded my mind. I thought about how rapidly my children had changed and how I had to let go of some of my expectations in order to stay connected with them. As I eagerly awaited the moment of my son's graduation, the valedictorian read an inspiring poem and a few students performed original inspirational songs for the occasion. And then the principal addressed the students and their families. She made reference to Spencer Johnson's classic parable about change, "Who Moved My Cheese." It is a paradox of life that while our children change rapidly, we as adults try to put the brakes on the speed of change. We like to think to some degree we are in control of our life by holding on to what we're used too. "No," Hem quickly responded. "I like it here. It's comfortable. It's what I know. Besides it's dangerous out there." Johnson, Spencer "Who Moved My Cheese?"
During periods of my life I've resisted change, enjoying the moment, not wanting it to end. But eventually it does end and I begin a new phase that is not necessarily what I was hoping for. I've learned through the years that letting go and trusting that the change will be exciting, vibrant and full of new challenges, offers me a new way to look at life? a life in which everyday is new. Haw said, "Sometimes, Hem, things change and they are never the same again. This looks like one of those times. That's life! Life moves on. And so should we." Johnson, Spencer. "Who Moved My Cheese?"
Just look at nature's cycles. Trees bud in the spring and by summer they are full of delicious fruit. In the Autumn, leaves fall to the ground and when winter arrives, the trees are barren and the cycle begins anew. You know for certain there's an intelligence in nature's way of doing things.
What if we looked at life in this way? Since we know there are cycles in our lives, we can prepare for the inevitable next cycle. We know it will be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer, so we dress accordingly. We do not resist the cycles of nature, so let us not resist the cycles of our lives.
Now, here's the good part. If we know there are changes coming we can prepare ourselves by becoming more flexible and adaptable. If we know there are changes coming we can enjoy the moments when things are going well and when they are not, we can look forward to a better future. By embracing change as a way of life, we can look forward to change as opportunity, as adventure, as possibility.
It is essential that we have the tools to prepare us for this new way of thinking. Today there's an increasing awareness of teachings from many different walks of life that encourage us to be more open and flexible. As we look inward and take time for reflection through meditation and prayer we are more accepting of our differences and unique rhythms. And as we continue to expand we can embrace change as a way of life.
Let me know what is changing in your life. I love receiving your many responses and feedback. Thank you and keep them coming. Feel free to pass this letter on to the friends in your circle and let them know about the advantages of being on the journey.
Speak with you soon,
About The Author
Mark Susnow, formerly a trial attorney for 30 years is a coach, speaker, and group facilitator. He's inspired hundreds of people to believe in themselves and to achieve their goals and dreams. 415.453.5016
affordable house cleaning Park Ridge ..Emotions have the tendency to take over our actions and... Read More
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More
It would be pretty hard to become successful without first... Read More
As if choreographed and rehearsed the night before, one lays... Read More
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More
Discover how easy it is to improve your relationships. The... Read More
IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More
Turn brutality into kindness. There is no small deed and... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
Are you driving under the influence of impaired emotions?Dateline: December... Read More
Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More
WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
I have had many confidence issues in my life, all... Read More
Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More
The way we use language can have a huge impact... Read More
affordable house cleaning Mundelein ..Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More
Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
Question: "It's only three months. Or six months. Or a... Read More
You've probably heard this idea at one time or another.... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More
"Someone was hurt before you; wronged before you, hungry before... Read More
What is an affirmation? One possible definition is a specific... Read More
Bosses can't control many things at work. In fact, they... Read More
If your life is difficult--if it's challenging, exasperating, and vexatious--... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
You know, very often, the manner in which a person... Read More
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
People with negative attitudes may wonder why they never achieve... Read More
If you think you are a loser, you train or... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
Today, I wanted to mention this notion of self-sabotage.I recently... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More
Human nature is created so that you can choose your... Read More
As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More
One of the first things that I work on with... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |