Change and Learning To Accept It

Did you know that some people love change?

Are you one of those people?

I am not.

Like many of my personality traits and talents, I inherited this from my dad. I do not like change. I don't enjoy it. It makes me uncomfortable and usually sad. It's not that I can't adjust. I just don't like to.

If it's not broke, don't fix it, right?

Well see, one thing I have found so far in my 26 years here on Earth is that it's only a matter of time before everything changes. It doesn't matter if you love change or hate change, the bottom line is everything will change at some point.

Sometimes, this change is obviously for the better. Other times, it might appear that the change is for the worse and yet, as time passes, we come to realize that it was actually for the better. And there are still other times where it blatantly clear that the change is for the worse.

One thing remains constant, and that is that sooner or later, things will change.

For people who get bored easily, who thrive on change and adaptation, this is a good thing. For others like me who love routine, constants, and knowing what is ahead, this can easily be a bad thing. An unavoidable bad thing.

The older I get, the more things seem to change. As a kid in school, things didn't change all that much. Time passed, I moved to higher grades in school, my friendships grew and sometimes changed, and my appearance was probably what changed the most. Then, teen years came and it seemed as if change became more rapid: leaving for college, making new friends, new classes every semester, summer jobs. Then, I got married and graduated college in the same year, moved to Hawaii and Matt finished his term in the Marines. All in 2 years. Major changes.

Looking back on my life, there have been plenty of times where the changes ahead appeared sad or less than ideal, but for almost every change I've experienced so far, they have all been good. I have been undeniably blessed in that fact. I say this while knocking on wood and praying fervently: I have not had much major tragedy in my life so far and for that, I am grateful.

Once again, my future is full of changes. Inevitable changes, changes that are almost sure to bring about good, new and exciting things. And yet, as I stand on the verge of those changes and await their arrival, I am met with the same familiar sense of melancholy that I blame on my genetics. Change, regardless of it's nature, causes me to experience sadness and a little discomfort. I can feel it as I look ahead.

But instead of dwell on the nagging feeling of sadness, I will use all of the past changes of my life as a guide. I know that the changes of the future will make things better, happier, fuller, more exciting. Instead of feeling sad, I will acknowledge my resistance to change and my feelings of sadness. I will acknowledge and accept them. And then, I look to the future with hope and an open mind.

Because change is coming and usually, change is good. Even if I don't particularly like it.