“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”
—J.K. Rowling
How can we decide to make a change? Opening ourselves to travel and risk is a bold act. I know. I’ve been there.
As a kid, I was the sleep-away camper who proudly proclaimed, “I don’t like change.” Each session, counselors would shift and each year unit leaders were different. Even on the way to camp, there was some form of fear that tried to steal all of the good that I knew was coming. I’d ask my mother to turn the car around more than once. Yet that angst ended the moment I set foot on the grounds and happily jumped into the waiting arms of a camp friend.
Fear sucks, and change isn’t easy. But no matter the necessary efforts, getting out your own way is definitely worth it.
“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”
—George Eliot
Our world constantly changes. Sometimes we choose those cataclysmic shifts, and other times they crash on our heads through no fault, wish, dream, or choice of our own.
We all know people who haven’t changed since high school. Remember the Friends television show episode where Monica dates the hunky, popular guy from high school and all he talks about is that his life, job, and friends are EXACTLY the same as they were all those years ago? He was precisely the same person with the same everything. Many of us count ourselves lucky to have friends from our youth, live in the neighborhood we grew up, and continue with a job we’ve had for years. It’s not the external changes that make the largest difference; it’s the internal ones.
The shift in perspective, the desire to push through change, the interest in finding a way to move through the fear of the uncomfortable to see what’s available on the other side—these little changes lead you closer to the person you’d like to become today. You can live in the same place forever or change residences like you change underwear; the path is always available and the destination’s address is you.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
—Socrates
So the Facebook memes have it right. Read the book, try the new ice cream flavor, take the spontaneous bubble bath, eat the different food, hike the new path, or press enter on that discount coupon for that circus training class. Sure, you’ll wonder who am I, what is happening, and I can’t believe I just did that, but, how cool is that? You’re taking the chance, working through change, managing that risk and facing the fear.
We only get one life. Give yourself the best shot to be the best you. Set the intention, make a new goal, take those few minutes to do something that makes your heart soar. Your mind, your spirit, and you soul will thank you.
Tell us what change you’re making today. We can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to…see you in two weeks!
Advice and resources to help you make that fear-inducing change
From the American Psychological Association: Making Lifestyle Changes That LastThis story offers up five tips from experts on working through changes. The APA suggests: “Make a plan that will stick, start small, change one behavior at a time, involve a buddy, and ask for support.”
From Psychology Today: The Only Way to Make Positive Change in Your Life
This article reminds us that we have choices. Whether your choices involve going with or against societal norms, it’s up to you. Making those choices paves the way towards realizing positive life changes.
From The Chopra Center: How To Squeeze Meditation Into Your Busy Schedule
When we make time for ourselves, we can better serve others. The Chopra Center shares tips to help you book in with yourself. No matter how busy we believe ourselves to be, we can find time. Schedule an appointment with yourself and find five minutes or more to spend on your own well-being.
From Psychology Today: Seven Ways to get Yourself Unstuck
How much of your day is spent complaining? Do you wait for external changes to happen? Do you find yourself thinking that things will be better if “whatever” happens to fix it? The power to change comes from inside each of us. Although it might not be fun or pleasant, focusing on making those changes will get you unstuck.
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