By Richard Ray:
Who could think that six letters could provoke so much fear, angst and turmoil in people’s thoughts and lives as those that are comprised to make up the word “Change”. Sure, change does not have the finality and darkness of its five letter cousin, death, but it still manages to provoke enough emotions to have a profound impact on people’s psyche and lives.
For many change can signify something scary. There is an uncertainty to change and many of us would rather not risk starting over. We may not like our current state of affairs but there is something safe in the familiar. It is why so many of us eat the same types of foods all the time. It is why some of us stay in relationships that are in need of growth or …change. People are generally scared of the unknown. Why do you think haunted houses and horror movies comprise such a huge industry?
Fear of change is part fear of the unknown, parts just being uncomfortable with the unfamiliar. We can know or understand that we may be in a rut. We can know or understand that what we are doing, professionally or personally is not working, yet, we often have greater fear of making changes that could and should benefit us instead keeping a status quo that is simply familiar.
There is an old expression in which it is claimed that it is better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don’t. As archaic as the expression may be we all get the sentiment, that people may prefer to have contact, a relationship with or do business with someone they know and even don’t like rather than dealing with someone they don’t know. I get it it theoretically, but in practice I find it to be utterly ridiculous. The unknown can be scary, but is it really that daunting that you would rather deal with a bad person, just because they are familiar versus being open and receptive to finding someone good instead? If it turns out that new person is not good, then you know what, change then applies to them. The point is that the possibility of positive change should always outweigh any fear of the unknown.
Not all thoughts of change of course are negative. Often change is viewed as for the better. Change can invoke renewed passion, optimism and even love. Positive change can come in all forms from the real to the more esoteric. Change can be about growth and maturity. Change can be about physically moving in order to get a fresh start. Change can be creating a healthier you. More times than not change can and will lead to positive results as long as you are simply not masking change with repeats of similar behaviors or patterns.
Change is often difficult to implement. If it wasn’t we would all constantly make positive changes whenever needed. However, change is a necessary element to all of our lives. Change isn’t always comfortable, but it is an essential element to our growth and evolution as humans. Life is a journey. The journey is largely unscripted and unpredictable. Yet, the journey is really only as strong as our abilities to improvise and roll with the proverbial punches. That means adapting whenever necessary and that adaptation means being open to and implementing change.
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